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Discussion: Newbie race and transition questions....
Subject: Newbie race and transition questions.... By: Jenny A. Written on: 2006-06-07 14:38:55 Message: Well, my first tri (a sprint) will be a week from Saturday. I'm feeling good. I'm confident that I will be able to go the distance, though I'm sure I won't be breaking any records.... but that's not why I'm doing this anyway. I think what I am most nervous about is the transitions! Can anyone offer me any transition tips, or just describe for me a little bit about what I should expect during transitions? I've seen a lot posted about the T1 transition, but I'm wondering about T2. Do you typically keep your running gear at the same location where your bike was? Do you rack the bike before the run? Are you expected to rack it in the same spot it was in for T1? I'm also curious about wave starts for the swim. How are they usually organized? I assmue elites start first, then do they just start swimmers by age group? How long is there usually between waves? My race will have a "first timers" division. Are "first timers" usually started in a wave together, or grouped with their age group? I wish I had been able to make it to watch a race before my first one, but it just didn't work out with my schedule! So, thanks in advance for any tips you can offer! Jenny
Subject: RE: Newbie race and transition questions.... By: Libby G. Written on: 2006-06-07 16:17:33 Message: Hi Jenny, I had my first race this weekend, and I'm not sure how yours will be organized (and I have no comparison) but I'll tell you a little about mine: The "novice" women were in a wave together, therefore we racked our bikes together. This was great because you met people in your same situation, and they were all really nice and helpful. They also gave awards for that category, and it was cool to compare yourself with your age group and with people who had never done a tri before. I would get there really early to get your bike racked at the end of a row, it's much easier to find it that way. I laid out a towel next to/near my bike with my T1 and T2 stuff on it. Practice this ahead of time, but think through what you'll need to put on first when you're laying it out. Make sure you leave room on the towel to stand on too! After you're done biking, throw your bike back on the rack where it was (hopefully there won't be many other bikes on the rack!) I biked with my running shoes on, so I just racked my bike, took off my helmet, grabbed my hat, and ran. It only took me about :40. The swim waves were a little strange at my race, the elites/pros went first, then novice women, then novice men, then men's and women's age groups. It was strange to start right after the pros, but nice to be in the water right away and swimming. Waves were 2 minutes apart and mine had 47 people in it. I hope this helps a little bit- I was really nervous before my race and it was a great experience. Have fun, you'll do great!
Subject: RE: Newbie race and transition questions.... By: Jael A. Written on: 2006-06-07 16:55:18 Message: Jenny, I agree with Libby. Get there at least One Hour before the swim start to set everything up in transition. Go over everything you are going to lay out on the floor the night before. Lay everything out just as if you were in transition (on your carpet or floor or whatever...) and after you are dong..take everything and put it in your transition bag and you will know everything is in there. What I also do is I make a list of everything I am supposed to lay out under my bike in transition. When I am setting up the morning of..I go over my list again..just to make sure everything is in there. T1 and T2 is the same thing, it just denotes two different times (swim to bike then bike to run), it all happens on the same spot. Also, lay your things out by category: swimming (goggles and swimming cap), you should be wearing your race suit. Biking: race belt with race bib, helmet, sunglassess, bike shoes, socks, sunglasses. Running-sneakers (you will have your sunglasses on already from biking), hat (if you want), you will keep your race belt on and just move the Bib to the front of your body. Also, once you are set up before leaving for your swim, make a mental note of how far your bike is and where in relation to the swim exit, so that you do not forget where it is when you come out of the water. You will know how many rows in and left or right you have to run before you get to your bike. All the best to you! Have a blast! Jael
Subject: RE: Newbie race and transition questions.... By: Sarah W. Written on: 2006-06-07 16:57:45 Message: Good advice from Libby. Yes you will re reack your bike in the same place as it was, and you will get your running gear in the same spot. Visualize yourself getting out of the water, what do you need for the bike? lay all of that in front ready to grab. shoes socks, race belt or shirt etc. on a towel. I lay a small towel out to get the rocks off of my feet before I head out. I put out an extra water bottle to squirt my feet if they are sandy or really dirty, then dry them to some degree. Your legs will still be wet so water will run down into your shoes anyways. I put my gloves, and sunglasses in the helmet and put on my bike so I will in no way forget the helmet. When I come in after the bike I take off helmet and gloves, put on my running hat to sheild the sun, get more gu or gel if needed and take off. Lay everything out he night before, and again think through what you will need at each stage, this will help releive anxiety. About waves. Usually it is men, then women, then clydesdales, then teams. Those are usually the waves. SMaller races will have less waves, large races will have more waves. Usually there will be different colored caps for the diferent waves, for example women in hot pink caps. That way you know when you should be in the water ready to go. Usually start about 5 minutes apart. Some races will start novices together and some will not. Just depends. I get in and do a few out and backs to calm myself and get warm. Good luck. And enjoy your first race, you only get one first race!!
Subject: RE: Newbie race and transition questions.... By: Shelly R. Written on: 2006-06-07 17:57:59 Message: Libby, I'm a newbie too and found the following article regarding a smooth transition on one of the tri club websites when I was thinking of joining one: http://www.majrae.com/article.php?story=20041219075043440&;query=transition It lists what you will need for the race. If some of the more experienced people could go let us know if all is needed or if you have something to add, that would be great! Shelly
Subject: RE: Newbie race and transition questions.... By: Shelly R. Written on: 2006-06-07 17:58:32 Message: Oops! I meant Jenny...
Subject: RE: Newbie race and transition questions.... By: Stephenie s. Written on: 2006-06-08 10:06:30 Message: I did my first tri last weekend, Seahorse in Kalamazoo Michigan. The best advice I got there about transition was, when you get to your spot keep your head down and focus on what you are doing, do not look up at others or try to get out faster than someone else. I found that you really need to stay in the moment at certain points in the race to ensure you have what you need and do not make a serious mistake, for example a friend of mine, her first race as well took her chip off when taking off her wetsuit and forgot to put it back on. Just relax, stay in the moment and get what you need. It is hard to practice transition before you have actually done it, after the first race, you will know what you need to improve on. Again just make sure you have your stuff! Remember, you only have your first tri once, it was such a powerful experience for me....I wasted lots of time enjoying the crowd each time I came in...I had such a blast, you think you are hooked now, wait til the finish line, you will be planning your next race and wanting to get out there and train again. Good luck and most importantly, enjoy yourself. PS Make sure your tires are pumped up on race morning, you do not want a flat.
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