Wearing Socks in a Triathlon Pros and Cons. You decide!

Personally I use Under Armor footie socks.  They look a bit girly but they take almost no time to put on my feet.  They cover just above my heel and below my ankle bone.  I doubt I will be on a podium any time soon and it will not be because of my choice to wear socks :)

Pros:

1. Faster - You can save approximately 20 seconds in your transition by not wearing socks.  Remember your feet will be wet after the swim.  Putting socks on wet feet takes a bit more time.
2. Comfort - Wearing socks will keep your feet cool and dry.

Cons:

1. Pain - Not wearing socks can cause blisters and lots of pain especially in the latter miles of the run.  Blisters are caused by 3 major factors heat, moisture and friction.  Those blisters could lead to an infection which will disrupt further training.  Use Body Glide on the inside of your shoes in blister prone areas to help reduce the chance of blisters.
2. Stinks - Your feet and shoes will likely smell worse.

If you are set on running sockless and cycling sockless there here are a few tips:

1. Use Body Glide
2. Use shoes made for sockless running and sockless cycling
3. Train sockless
4. Walk first then run. Build up to longer distances.  

40 Mile Solo Ride with Monee Reservoir at 1/2 way.

Finally hit the 40 mile mark on a ride during the week this year.  Hit just over 20 miles when I arrived at the Monee Reservoir.  The concession stand was still open but I did not need anything.  When it gets hotter this may be the place to refill on water.  Is there a fountain for free water here?

As I stretch this ride to 45-50 miles I will likely head further west and south and just take Old Plank Trail back east as a bit of a break from the streets and to see other runners, riders, walkers and people in general not in cars.

Conditions:  68° - Feels like 68° - 0 mph N wind - Humidity 43%

Below is the map and some details from me, Jason Ward on Strava.

2012 Trek 7.5 FX Review

Jason Ward with Trek 7.5 FX Review

In the first 100 miles I broke 2 front spokes on the front wheel while in the middle of a 10 mile ride.  Luckily I was able to remove the spokes and keep riding.  The bike shop could not tell me how it happened as the tire, rim, spokes and nipples were not damaged.  They replaced the spokes, applied loctite to the threads  and charged me $20 for truing the wheel.

At 250 miles one of the pedals broke.  The body of the pedal was plastic and since I am a large guy it finally gave away.  I replaced those pedals with Shimano A530 Pedals which are a SPD road touring pedal.  I did not yet own bike shoes so I use the platform side of the pedal.  They work perfectly.

I put 624 miles on the bike between the time I purchased it and October 1, 2012 then I went indoors to train.  A few 60 degree days revealed that I do not have appropriate kit to ride in the cold.  Maybe next year.

• Pedals -hybrid platform/2 hole spd
• Handle bars - stock
• Saddle - stock
• Gears & Brakes - Stock
• Tires & Whels - stock
• Grips - After 1,1000 miles the clear rubber on the grip started to split
• Bar ends - Never got around to getting any .  If I did I would have chosen the mini version instead of the typical large mountain bike version.

Related Links

2012 Trek 7.5 FX Specifications

My First Real Bike - 2012 Trek 7.5 FX

Sprint Triathlon Transition Training Tips

Sprint Triathlon transition training tips. Bring less, do less, get out fast!

Days prior to Triathlon

• Train
• Layout transition area and practice the transitions

The night before

• Inflate tires
• Layout Transition
• Pack gear
• Helmet on top in bag

Morning of race

• Check tire pressure to ensure no leaks - bring a floor pump in your car and top off tires before you move your bike into the transition area.
• Packet pickup
• Body marking
• Number on bike
• Small bottle of water on bike - no need to carry any nutrition
• Put bike in appropriate gear for starting the bike leg
• Reset bike computer
• Check brakes - ensure brake pads are not rubbing along front and back wheel
• Place helmet on handle bars upside down with sunglasses inside.  Helmet straps out and sunglasses arms open.
• Put bag behind/under bike so its not in the way
• Place towel just in front of bike to wipe your feet on after swim
• Tie something bright at end of bike rack - yellow scarf - so you can find your rack
• Shoes fully open - running and cycling  shoes should be easy to put on. 
• Socks if used should be in each shoe and rolled up to facilitate putting them on your wet feet.
• Pre race snack - in case of wait
• Visor/hat
• Race number/race belt
• Heart rate monitor

Pre swim setup

•  Put bike in rack backward on seat.
• Ensure transition area is set up the same way you trained

Swim to Bike

• Take off goggles and swim cap and toss on bag under bike.
• Put towel down to dry the bottom your feet on
• Helmet with straps out
• Put glasses open and in helmet
• Nutrition on bike
• Breathe
• Socks or no socks
• Put bike in correct gear

 Bike to Run

• Leave shoes connected to bike.
• Socks rolled down to roll on feet
• Race number - on belt.  Put on as you head out.

Resources:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1g0TUJhe0k

Sh!t Triathletes Say Video

Seriously funny videos about what Triathletes say.