Ironman

When doing a triathlon, what exactly happens in the transition areas?

I'll be entering my first triathlon in a few months and I have no idea what to expect in the transition areas. Do you set them up before hand? What do you need in the transition areas? Do you change shoes from swim to bike to run? Do you change shorts from the swim to the bike? I have absolutely no idea what to expect and I would like to be prepared, if anyone can give me details and what to expect I'd appreciate it.

Public Comments

1. First, remember that the clock is running while you're in the transition area so, it is not a time to "lolly-gag". You must have things ready to go so you can change quickly. You'll have a designated parking place for your bike. Make certain you know exactly where it is and the most direct route to the bike. When planning your route, plan on crowds of other athletes being around you. Many swimmers will wear their swim suit on their bike. You might want to have a pair of light shorts and some sort of shirt hanging on the bike. Just put them on FAST. Have your biking shoes (socks? ... not all wear socks) wide open so you can quickly get your feet into them. Have the shoes facing a direction so that you can quickly get your feet in them. Be certain your shoes are not brand new and that you know that your feet are comfortable in them. You should also have them adjusted to the proper tightness. Have your running shoes, like your bike shoes, wide open so you can quickly slip your feet into them. Plan on how you'll tie your shoes as, if you have the laces too open close to your toes you'll have to tighten them to the correct tightness or you'll get blisters on your feet with loose shoes or your toes will jam the tip of the shoe and you'll wreck your toenails ... or your feet will start to ache if the laces are too tight. So, have you shoes adjusted so you can get into them but you don't have to play with the laces. You should be able to run in the same clothes you wore on the bike. Have some water or sports drink ready and guzzle some down before you get on the bike and as you start your bike. That way you'll not have to carry that one container and you'll be hydrated at the beginning of the bike leg of your Tri. GOOD LUCK!
2. It depends on the length of the race, but I assume you are doing a sprint or Olympic distance. yes, you set up everything before hand: you put your bike on a rack and then organize your bike and run clothing in the order that you will put them on. Usually the way it works is you get out of the water, run to your spot, strip off your wetsuit if you are wearing one, put on your bike shoes, gloves, helmet, glasses, etc. and then walk your bike to the mount area. When you come back from the bike you dismount, walk to your spot, re-rack your bike, change into your running shoes, leave your helmet, gloves, etc. and then head out for the run. Unless you are doing an Ironman distance, run in the shorts that you bike in (and wear them under your wetsuit). Get tri shorts which are like bike shorts but with a much smaller chamois. Also, a race belt is very useful. You clip your number to this and wear it around your waist during the run (at some races you have to wear it during the bike as well).