Taking part in my first proper tri on Saturday. Just wondering what people do in the bike to run transition with respect to footwear change.
I have SPDs on my road bike and was simply planning on swithching my Sidis for my running shoes (do people use elasticated laces). Then wondered whether people use their running shoes for the bike ride and resort to toe clips - negating the need to switch footwear.
Any advice, cheers.
I did my first one last sunday. ****in' loved it, open water swimming is ace!
T1 put your cycling shoes on and T2 switch to your running shoes.
Some triathletes do use their running shoes on their bikes with clips (and various footplate options are out there too) but most leave the shoes clipped into the bike, start the bike ride with their feet on the top of the shoe (ie feet not actually in the shoe) and then get their feet in once they're going (basically, saves time because you're moving while putting your bike shoes on) then approaching the end of the cycle, they take their feet out of the shoes and again just keep them on top of the shoe. In the transition to the run, they then put running shoes on (using elastic laces as you suggested). Have a look on youtube - there's bound to be video of it.
Also worth noting that tri-specific cycling shoes are designed to allow quick/easy putting on/off and as a result usually only have one strap and a wide tounge. You may find this a lot harder with normal cycling shoes.
But then again judging by the bike handling abilities of lots of triathletes they'd be better off putting their shoes on first then getting on the bike
Definitely switch footwear. I put socks on when i get out the pool - some people don't but i find that too uncomfortable. Whack loads of talc in them beforehand and they'll go on wet feet fine.
What tri are you doing?
I tried the taking feet out of shoes while still cycling thing last year and managed to catch the toe of my shoe on the the ground, swerved sideways and almost took out the guy next to me (he had to hop onto the verge). I really should have practiced before deciding to try it for the first time in a race. This year I'm going to stop, take my shoes off and put on my trainers and it will probably be faster. I'd only go down the getting on bike with shoes already attached if you are an elite athlete or unless you want to practice a lot to make sure you don't crash.
I am not a proper triathlete I just do a couple of little ones every year to punish myself.
Did my first tri a couple of weeks ago (on an MTB). I considered the bike/run shoe thing a lot and went with the two shoe approach, as did pretty much everybody else there. I ran in my Salamon trail running shoes as they have a drawstring instead of laces which probably saved a bit of time. My mate got himself some elasticated laces for a couple of quid which he reckoned worked well too - he wore the same shoes for cycling too so his T2 time was about 20-30 seconds quicker.
For adventure racing I stick with one pair of shoes (the Salamons) and toe clips as there are too many transistions to faff about with shoes. I'd stick with 2 pairs for tris though.
wear what you have been training in. Cycling shoes, and then change to running shoes. Don't worry about it to much on your first Tri, it'll give you something to go for on your second one!
If you try and change tactics now, you'll worry to much.
Just have fun.
I've quite a bit of tri experience...feel free to pm me (if this forum offers that option, only just joined :))
For your first tri don't try and do anything fancy.
Wear cycling shoes for the ride and change to running shoes. I used to put socks on as well but for sprints I don't do now. You need to make sure that you won't get blisters though
What I would recommend is to practise the transitions a couple of times at home beforehand. It will help you to know where to put stuff and you shouldn't then make any mistakes on the day. I did this by starting with a shower first to experience what it's like to put a top on when wet etc
Made a big difference and gave the family and neighbours a laugh.
Most of all enjoy it and dont' go too fast so it'll be easier to beat the time next year.
Depends how long the bike is. If short, wearing cycling shoes isn't going to make much difference. If longer, wear the right kit for the job. You'll maybe save 30 seconds by not swapping shoes, so decide if that worth it.
Firstly, don't try anything in a race you've not tried out first. You should not underestimate your complete inability to do anything a bit tricky when you're tired and in a hurry. 🙂 If someone had asked my my name after the swim at london last year I'd have looked at them funny.
If you REALLY want to go mental, you put laggy bands on the heel loops of your bike shoes and hook these over bits of your bike (f mech, rear skewer) this keeps the shoes level when you run with your bike out of T1. I do the "feet out before T2" thing and it does save me time. I have tri specific bike shoes tho, so this makes it easier as the velcro opens the other way.
Please practice all of this before a race. If you screw up, it might not be costing you time but costing other people due to crashes. I saw a nasty one at T2 in windsor last year, the person who came off worst was completely innocent but ended up with a nasty chainring gash and possibly withdrew.
I've got Windsor, London, Bananaman, poss vitruvian and some sprints this year so waves at any other STWers going to these events.
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