article by Zoom Performance head coach Matt Zepeda: USAT Level 1  & USAC Level 3 Certified Coach

Keep it Simple

The first mistake I see most athletes make is that that they bring too much equipment to transition.  An unorganized, cluttered transition will lead to extra time and mistakes in transition.  Each athlete will only have space for their bike and an area the size of a smaller towel.  An athlete will be at their fastest during transition when they are most efficient.  The fewer tasks you have to do in the transition area, the faster you will go. Keep things as simple as possible with the least amount of gear and have a successful transition.

Create, Practice and Visualize your Plan

Have a plan of the exact steps you will take during T1 and T2.  Then practice it over and over again until you are efficient and fast by making no mistakes.  Practice it physically several times in training and then rehearse it mentally before and on race morning. By the time you are in transition on race day, you should be moving on autopilot.

Know Where You Are Going

Nothing can frustrate an athlete faster than to get lost in transition.  In every triathlon, you will see athletes running around looking for their bike location.  Note the rack and your exact spot in transition and how to find it from the swim exit and bike entrance. It is a good idea to count the racks from each entrance to your rack.  From your rack, know where the bike and run exits are and the quickest route to them. 

Mount and Dismount Line

In every triathlon there will be a line just outside of transition where an athlete can mount their bike going into the bike leg and then dismount before the same line coming back into transition.  It is a penalty if an athlete does not do this, so make sure you know where this line is before the race starts.

Take Care of the Litte Things Ahead of Time

Take care of everything you can before the race.  All items for the bike discipline should be attached to the bike before the race. A couple of examples are to tape gels to the frame and have water bottles in the carriers.  Your race number should already be on your race belt for the run and running shoes should have speed laces so you don’t spend time tying your shoes.

Remember to plan and practice your transition before you show up on race day.  Don’t try anything new on race day and when you keep it simple and efficient it will make race day faster and a better experience.

Quick Transition List