Possibly the most daunting portion of a triathlon is the transition. With a little preparation, you can reduce your race anxiety and time in transition.
#1 – Get some practice in for your transition before race day!
It can be easy to overlook the transition in your training. But, you don’t want to end up tangled in a wetsuit pretzel 1/3 of the way through your event. Knowing what the transition is going to feel like will make your whole race go smoother and make it more fun too.
#2 – Keep it clean!
You will be working in a tight space with many other people. Be respectful. Lay a small towel to put your stuff on and keep your gear organized and within your space.
#3 – Every second counts!
Whether you are trying to win your race or just finish, remember that every second counts in triathlon. Transitions can be 90 seconds or 20 minutes. When you are just trying to get your bearings, time can pass you by without you even noticing. This doesn’t need to be the portion of the event that hinders your success.
#4 – Bring extra stuff!
When heading out on the bike or run, you don’t want to carry everything but the kitchen sink with you. But, it is ok to have spare and extra items in your transition area. Don’t be afraid to have a little more nutrition than you might need, extra socks if you wear them, supplies to change a bike tire, a garbage bag in case you need to cover your items in bad weather. The name of the game is: be prepared.
Here is a video with great ideas on how to go through transition and many other time saving tips:
Here is a video with instructions on a good way to remove that wetsuit:
