Transitions: The act of moving from one discipline to the next during a triathlon.
There are two transitions in a triathlon; the first being the transition from swim to bike, or T1, and the second being the transition from bike to run, or T2. One of the easiest ways to improve your overall race time is to reduce the time spent in T1 and T2.
One of the best ways to improve transition times is to choose a race suit that can be worn from the swim through to the bike. This will alleviate time wasted due to changing clothing between disciplines. Most of the racing suits available on the market today are constructed of quick drying fabrics so you don't have to towel off before you jump on your bike. The cycling pad (also known as a chamois) in race suits is generally made of thinner fabrics than a typical cycling short so that you don't have to deal with the extra bulk of a thicker pad while trying to run (not a pleasant experience!).
When choosing a race suit, it is essential that the suit conforms to your body so that you can minimize resistance in the water and air and maximize the quick drying effects on the bike. For those who shudder at the thought of wearing "skin tight" clothing, choosing a suit with bold color blocking (panels of color) on the top and dark colors (navy or black) on the bottom are very helpful in flattering the figure. There are several styles of race suits to chose from, all of which can be used for any distance triathlon, however, some styles are better suited to specific triathlon race distances. The available styles include:
The Tri One Piece, which is a specialized swimsuit equipped with a tri cycling pad. This type of suit is made specifically for women and is good for shorter distances.
The Tri Bikini, which is a specialized bikini-style swimsuit equipped with a tri cycling pad. This type of suit is made specifically for women and is good for shorter distances.
The Classic Race Suit, which is a one piece suit made up of a sleeveless top and tri cycling shorts. Some of the women's styles will also have a bra shelf built in. This type of suit is good for all distances, however, for longer races (1/2 ironman or full ironman) where washroom breaks become inevitable, a one piece suit may present added challenges.
The Classic Two Piece Race Suit, which is comprised of a Tri Jersey and a Tri Cycle Short. This is by far the most popular style as it is good for all distances, it alleviates any concerns regarding washroom breaks for longer races, and it provides style flexibility as you can mix and match your tops and bottoms.
Whatever you choose to wear make sure you are comfortable.
If you chose to wear a race suit a key accessory will be a race belt. A race belt allows you to quickly attach your race number after peeling off your wetsuit. This is very efficient as long as you have your number pre-pinned to your race belt in the correct position (you should position the number on the belt prior to the race start). Various styles of race belts are also available ranging from simple pin-less belts (snaps are used to attach your race number in place of safety pins), to belts with accessories such as pockets or places to attach sport gels or containers for electrolyte tablets.
Andrea Score
Good Luck and Happy Racing!