5 tips to improve transition times

You can either make or lose places during transition, that’s the frustrating part of triathlons, so aim to sharpen up those times this year. We’ve pencilled in a few suggestions in this next article, see if they help improve your change over times.

• De-clutter: Wear a one piece triathlon suit to simplify matters and leave shoes ready to go on the pedals of your bike. Grab your bike and put your helmet on at the same time, you can do this as you are leaving the transition area. Make sure your bike is equipped with water and ready to roll, make this a common feature of your race day preparation.
• Improve efficiency: Look at the areas you are wasting time during transition. Do you fumble trying to find your sunglasses for example? If so, leave them dangling on the handlebars of the bike. Start to remove caps and goggles as you run towards the bike, be ready to slip into shoes and pedal away whilst fixing your helmet strap. Simple changes in procedure will vastly improve efficiency during change over periods.
• Know the layout: When you leave your bike in transition during race day preparation make sure you can find it quickly when you leave the water. Don’t waste time heading to the wrong area, familiarise yourself with the layout and know where the entrance and exit points are.
• Study other competitors: If you know somebody that has a reputation for speedy transitions study them and see what they do. This might not be easy if you are competing against them, but if you are taking a break from triathlon due to injury you could always visit an event as an interested party and grab a few tips. Or watch professionals in action when footage is screened on the television, see how their technique varies from your own.  
• Practice: Try different techniques to speed up transition times and keep on practicing until you get it right. Good luck with your next competition!