Nicole overcame a number of health issues including fibromyalgia to become an accomplished endurance sports athlete. She started with 10K races and has completed 4 Ironman races, countless cycling rides, and an “endless” amount of running events. Her extensive race resume includes Kona Ironman World Championship, Ironman 70.3 Augusta, Mountains to Main Street Half Iron Triathlon, Ironman Chattanooga, Ironman Lake Placid, PPD Ironman North Carolina, and Ironman Wisconsin. Here’s her step-by-step breakdown for a fast transition.
1. The best thing I’ve found to help me set up the most efficient transition area is a sweat towel or just make a rectangle out of a towel. Keep the towel long and skinny so you are out of everyone else’s way, yet all your stuff is organized.
2. I set up the bike gear at the bottom because that’s what I will need first. So my bike shoes are there with the straps open and widened a bit for easy access. My helmet (loosened) is normally on my shoes upside down, with my sunglasses sitting inside already open and ready to slide on.
3. The run gear is then set up right above that, this enables me to wipe my feet quickly on the towel before I put my shoes on. So my shoes are on the bottom, my socks (rolled down so they will easily roll right onto my probably wet feet) are right side up in the shoes. The visor is upside down with a gel flask is underneath.
My goal is always to put the things I need first on top, and then work your way down, and keep it simple and clean.
Go For A Minimal Footprint
Don’t spread out a beach towel and take up a ton of space. I may or may not get a little aggravated if I’m next to you
No Buckets: They’re meant for washing cars, not transition. Unless you are in physical need of having one to sit on to put your shoes on, leave it at home. These are truly a hazard.
Don’t place Helmets on handlebars. If you put them on your aerobars instead of on the bike shoes, you run the risk of someone knocking it off or it falling when others get their bike off the rack. I’ve seen a few people looking for their helmets in T1, and that’s never fun.
Race belts, you don’t see mine here because I personally wear mine the entire race. I roll up the race belt and stuff it down my shorts, and just pull it out on the bike. To each their own, it’s just one less thing to forget in transition that can cost you a penalty.
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Have some tips for a fast smooth triathlon transition? Leave a comment on the blog.
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