How NOT to do T2- lessons learned from volunteering
I had a blast roaming the IMWI course dressed as a giraffe and watching the team kick ass yesterday! But I did also do something more helpful and volunteered in the women's change "tent" for T2 for my second time. The things you'll see, not including the nudity, will amaze you. There was a woman asking if anyone wanted some of her dental floss, to give you a sense for what people do. Many of the major "what the hell are you thinking" moments are so absurd that no ENer would ever even think of them, so no need to share, but a few things I repeatedly have seen that I thought might be helpful, especially if you are an IM newbie.
1) Communicate what you need and ask for help if you need it. Obviously thank your volunteers and don't be a jerk, but assert yourself. We were well staffed (not true for the mens side) but sometimes an athlete would slip in and wouldn't get the help they'd need. If they asked, we were on it. Once you have a volunteer if you need/want one, TALK TO THEM. Don't want your bag dumped- be explicit and say that! If you took your sunglasses off but want them for the run, verbalize that or they might get put back in your bag without thinking.
2) Less is more- we all know this, but fastest transitions had the least amount of stuff.
3) If you couldn't decide before packing your bags which top you want to wear, you aren't going to be able to decide mid-race. I helped several girls who were on the faster side who had packed two outfits and were trying to make the decision while tired and trying to hurry which they wanted. This is slightly different if the weather is inclement and will dictate what you wear, but otherwise, LIMIT DECISIONS! Same for gels, if you only are going to take 1 but packed 3, you'd be amazed how tough that decision can be in the heat of the moment.
4) Premix bottles. Lots of people had powder that they were then mixing with water in transition. Why not do ahead of time and just put in sealed baggie ready to go?
5) Compression socks- goodlike putting them on on sweaty legs when tired. This seemed to add at least a minute to everyone who tried, including those who had them rolled.
6) DO NOT TIE YOUR BAG!! I'm wearing gloves cuz you people are nasty, do you know how hard it is to untie a double knotted bag with gloves on? I don't know of anyone who lost something in a cinched but not tied bag.
7) We all know this- but that go-bag is priceless! Not only does it give you a faster transition because you are doing less stuff while stationary, but it sorts what goes with you vs any other crap that you may have (but shouldn't ) have brought with you. EN athletes were NINJAS in there!
And lastly, to any MOP or BOP athlete who thinks transitions don't matter to them, make them matter! They set the tone, and can really add up to some solid time savings!
Comments
While there was only one lady flossing (and encouraging others too as well), I saw at least a dozen brush their teeth. Lots of full body sponge baths. Lots of just talking with everyone around you about how the world conspired against you on the bike course. Lots of trying to put on clothes on a gross body ( yeah, changing a sports bra, good luck!). But biggest thing over and over was just indecision and not being in and out with purpose. Adds up fast!
Put a mint or two in your T2 Go Bag, and pop it in your mouth as you head out on the run course? That would be both Ninja and refreshing. Getting little non-essential stuff like that out of your mind when you should be paying attention to executing your race is worth paying attention to, IMO, as long as it does not slow you down.