Transition time - how important is it?

Well you obviously can't compare one race to another because as you said the transition areas are different, but you could be comparing the same race from one year to the next to see if you've improved. Transition is basically free time. You could work all year to shave a minute off your 5k time in a sprint, only to lose that minute in transition if you're not efficient enough. 

Time is time.  Wherever you can save it...  BUT, I think a lot of time is wasted in transition and you can move up a lot of places with little additional effort if you can streamline your transitions.

For example, unless you have your transitions perfected, it's probably a lot easier (and not much more physical effort) to cut 2 minutes out of T2 if you have a race belt and speed laces, etc. than try to cut 2 minutes off your 10k time.  You can save minutes if you know how to get out of your wetsuit quickly.  What's the point of doing a 27 minute mile swim then add 5 minutes back on trying to get yourself out of a wetsuit and situated on the bike?

I look at some of my longer races (HIM and IM) and see how people spend 15-20 minutes or even longer in T1 and T2 where I'm less than 5 and I moved up several places without pushing ANY harder on the s/b/r portions.  To me, transitions are "free" time gains (free as little to no increase in physical effort) but by being efficient.

It's important...more so the shorter the race.  If you look at the results in most sprint races, podium spots and near podium spots are usually just a few seconds apart.  I try to keep my transition area organized and clutter free.   Glasses, helmet, bike shoes should be together in front.  Running shoes (with quick laces)  & race belt should be together in back....all on a smallish towel.  It all seems simple when you watch transition videos.  In reality, you can waste a bunch of time if you don't practice before your actual race.

Can't really compare transition times from one race to the next because of exactly what you've seen, but they do matter. People poke around in T1 & T2, make things way too complicated or just don't know what they are doing. Not unusual to cost themselves a couple minutes there. So how important it is depends on how much that time means to you.

How important they are is entirely up to you.  They can absolutely be the difference between winning and "losing" if you are at the pointy end of the race, and they frequently ARE the difference.  On the other hand, they can be the difference between being uncomfortable and enjoying yourself if you're really not in it to win it. 

Your event is your own.......have fun with it.  Just know that if you ever REALLY want to be competitive you have to put down some fast transitions.

T1 - Put your helmet on and go.  Get your glasses on your face when you can.  Put your feet in your shoes when you are up to speed. 

T2 - Feet out of shoes on way to transition.  Rack your bike.  Take your helmet off.  Put on your shoes and go.

It takes seconds to get it done.

(trans1.jpg)

First hand experience with that. 2 seconds from the overall in one case.

Is that bucket strong enough to sit on?

Dude - I would drag a recliner into transition if I could fit it in my car.  We have fast and slow people in my family.

Cut your suit at the ankles and the wrists.  Apply body glide on your body AND the suit (rubber sticks to rubber)  Have it at your waist when you get to T1....push it down to your knees when you stop - step out of it while you put your helmet on.  It adds almost nothing.

It's not just putting them on, but you obviously lose seconds there......you also save time running through transition and you save time again mounting your bike. If it's a local/regional race and the transition is big you can lose the race right there.  It's pretty substantial even in a small transition area, especially in a sprint/Oly when those seconds count if you are competitive.

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