Tri footwear - swim

[KnottedYet]

What does a femme of delicate nature wear upon her toesies during the swim portion? I'm just thinking of the way I seem to be a magnet for sharp objects, and how such an object could be an object lesson in the short-lived nature of athletic prowess.

(ie: if I cut my dang foot getting into or out of the H2O I'm gonna be mightily p.o.ed)

[Lise]

What does a femme of delicate nature wear upon her toesies during the swim portion?
Toenail polish! :p

In what sort of body of water will you be swimming? "My" Oly tri every year for three years has been the Lake Zurich tri. It's a regular old Illinois lake, with lots of stuff growing in it. But we go in and out of the water at beaches, so the surface is not bad. The only people I know who've cut their feet are my friends who walk as long as they can before they start swimming. I pick up my feet, bite the bullet, and swim (a variety of unimpressive strokes, I'll admit). I've never (yet) hurt my feet or ankles. I do bring waterless hand wash and bandaids in my transition bag, just in case I need to clean a wound before I head out on the bike.

[colby]

(ie: if I cut my dang foot getting into or out of the H2O I'm gonna be mightily p.o.ed)

My mother in law did the Seattle Danskin last year (my lazy self watched). Assuming it's the same as last year, you run out of the lake onto a grassy field, and pretty much everyone was in bare feet. I don't remember seeing anything else, and there was jogging/running going on so it must have been tolerable.

[KnottedYet]

From what I gather it's at the same place again this year, too. I hate the thought of cutting my feet. Guess I should frolick around barefoot to toughen them up!

[KSH]

Well, whenever I have done an open water swim... we ease into the water to a starting point, and then we swim when the gun goes off.

I don't walk during the swim... so I never worry about walking on the bottom then.

When getting out... you just have to suck it up. You will probably be OK though. I too have tender feet and somehow the excitement of the race takes over and I tune out the pain when I have to leave the water on a rocky surface.

Also... you could keep some flip flops on the side that you are exiting... and wear those to T1 to keep your feet covered on the way.

Good luck!

[colby]

Also... you could keep some flip flops on the side that you are exiting... and wear those to T1 to keep your feet covered on the way.

Good luck!

Oh yes! You're right, I did see some flip flops, especially on the way down, but on the way back most of the women totally forgot about them or decided to go without them, heat of the moment and all that. If you have someone going to the event with you, you could have them hold them for you, and hand them off when you get back out of the water -- the path from the swim to the transition area is actually well lined by cheering spectators :) Chances are, your brain will tune everything out anyway!

[KSH]

If you have someone going to the event with you, you could have them hold them for you, and hand them off when you get back out of the water -- the path from the swim to the transition area is actually well lined by cheering spectators :) Chances are, your brain will tune everything out anyway!

I would make sure someone handing you something is acceptable and won't get you DQ'ed.

[Running Mommy]

yep, in certain races that would be considered "outside assistance". Though most smaller races don't really care. At least not USUALLY! But always make sure. I'd hate to see you get dq'd for something silly.