Buffalo Trails Triathlon - result - need help w/T1/2

thewindshop

Fun Priority C race - even though (due to fog) we started 90 minutes late.   Something like an Olympic (swim .5 mile, bike 26.1mi, run 5k) 

8th of 55 overall & 1st of 5 in age group in swim/bike/run.  Looks like my weakest event is T1 and T2 (29th and 43rd overall respectively). 

T1 = 1:55 (couldn't get my feet out of wetsuit), T2 = 1:24.    Any suggestions???

mattsull

T1 - Did you use any lube around your ankles? I used Suit Juice on my arms and legs last year and it worked really well. Wetsuit popped right off my feet. I had used Body Glide before that and think Suit Juice was a bit more effective.

My only other comment is to practice. I don't have the speediest transitions myself.

ht001

Haven't heard of this Suit Juice stuff. May have to look at it.

My solution to my personal issue with getting my feet out of my wetsuit was to install 8" zippers on the bottom of the legs. Once I learned to remember to unzip them I never had the same issue again. Clearly that's a bit extreme....but I had SO many problems with that, I had to think outside the box a bit to deal with it.

Sounds like you still had a great day out, and that you did well on the S/B/R portions of the event! Congrats on a good finish, and good on ya for thinking about where your opportunities for improvement are.

doddsj

 Not familiar with suit juice either.  I have always gone low-tech: vegetable oil spray.  I put it on my legs before the suit goes on and then on the outside of the suit as well for when it turns inside out.  T1 is almost always slower than T2 and based on your placings, it looks as though T2 is a place to look to save more time.  It is also a lot easier to practice.  Good luck.

Jeremy Dodds

Cary Blanco

I'm not super fast either, but I use body glide on the inside of the wetsuit wrists ankles and neck area. Definitely practice getting that wetsuit off, pull the suit down as far as it will go, then step on each wetsuit leg with opposite foot, and pull.

Coach Patrick

Check out the Pam spray dealio, I have used that as well....and practice helps. T1 set up is key. I have bike shoes next to bike, opened, no socks. Helmet in front of that upside down with sunglasses open and inside. Bike is racked in right gear, pedals even. As I run up I work suit off and down to waist. I pull down, do the stomp dance whatever, then throw it to top/front of T-area. Step onto towel and bend over. Shoe, shoe, glasses, helmet, stand up, grab bike and run out. Avoid stand up / bend over / stand up / bend over in T1.

T2 has run shoes open with socks waiting in each. Feet out of shoes for rolling dismount, run to rack. Rack bike, unclip helmet and put on top of aerobars. Bend over sock/shoe, sock shoe, grab visor and gel and run out. Done.

Good luck!

P

GregSVan

With Body Glide, just remember to go liberal. I use about a third of the bar per race. On the hands, legs, arms, neck. Not just the feet and wrists. My wetsuit practically falls off.