The swim, the bike, the run—these are the three pillars of any triathlon. But between them lie two often underestimated stages: T1 and T2, the transitions. Think of these transitions not as pauses but as crucial opportunities to gain precious time, or, for the unprepared, lose it in epic fashion. If you’ve ever felt like you were starring in your own personal sitcom in the transition zone—losing your goggles, fumbling with shoes, or forgetting to take off your helmet—this guide is for you. With a few tweaks and a dash of strategy, you can master T1 and T2 like a pro and shave minutes off your total race time.

Triathlons are all about pushing your limits and testing your endurance across three different disciplines - swimming, cycling, and running. One of the most crucial components of a triathlon is the transition from one discipline to another, commonly known as T1 and T2. T1 refers to the transition from the swim to the bike, while T2 refers to the transition from the bike to the run.