6 Triathlon Tips for Beginner Triathletes

An article by Debi Hazelden    1 Comment

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I’ve made a list of the places where beginner triathletes can cut down their time. These are all easy things, which I used to do when starting out.

1. Wear the Clothes You Want to Race in Under Your Wetsuit

Wearing triathlon suit under wetsuit.

This is an easy way to cut down your race time. I used to do this, wear my swimming togs while swimming and put on shorts and a top to go onto the cycle. Putting on clothes while wet can be a bit of a struggle. Even if you are quite fast at this it is still time you don’t need to waste.

Swim in your tri-suit or tri-shorts(lycra shorts) and a singlet under your wetsuit. That way when you get out of your wetsuit you are ready to go.

2. Don’t Re-Do Your Hair During the Race – For Female Competitors

I see this all the time in the shorter races. Girls standing in transition doing their hair.

Save time and start with your hair done so you can race the entire race. I tye mine in a low plat which I just tuck into the swim cap.

3. Pull Your Wetsuit off While Getting Out of Water

Start pulling your wetsuit off as soon as you stand up to run out of the swim. Unzip and pull both arms out of your wetsuit. Pull the suit down to your waist while running to transition. When you get to your bike you should be ready to get your legs out.

Put BodyGlide or something similar on your wrists, neck and ankles to help your wetsuit slip off. Body Glide is good since you don’t get any goo on your fingers. If you do use vasoline or a lube type one you might smudge it on your goggles.

4. Your Bike is in the Right Gear Before You Start

Make sure your bike is in the right gear before you start the race. When you grab your bike and run to the mount line you can jump on and start pushing hard on the pedals right away.

5. Sprinkle Talcum Powder into Your Shoes

Sprinkling talcum powder into your cycling and running shoes will make your feet slide in easier when they are wet. I recommend not wearing socks as this takes extra time.  If you really want to wear socks, sprinkle talcum powder in them too. You will save time struggling to get your feet in.

6. Purchase Bungee Laces for Your Running Shoes

iBungee laces

Money well spent! Bungee laces are a great invention. They save you having to tye bows and tighten your laces. All you do is slip your feet in. The bungee laces have a dongal which you can slide into position if you want to tighten them. I don’t move mine tough, just slip my feet in and I’m off. It’s so much easier when you are tired from the cycle, especially if it’s a cold day and your fingers are too numb to tye up laces!

I wear ibungee laces from Shoe Clinic. I’ve noticed the ibungee laces are online also. Yankz laces are the newest out. I haven’t tried these ones yet.

Hope these tips help. Good luck!