Is it okay to wear a wet suit during a supersprint

[roshelleuop]

Triathletes, I need your help on something please and I'd feel dumb asking elsewhere!!!!

I am doing my first superspint on Saturday~~ 1/4 swim, 17 mile bike, 1 mile run. I swam when I was a kid, but nothing major and nothing related to distance. I just started "doing it the right way" about 3 weeks ago to get ready for this event.

My question is, am I going to look like a dork wearing a wet suit for only a 1/4 mile swim? I don't think so, but wanted to check with you fine ladies!! I can do the swim no problem WITH the wet suit, but can't without it. I'm afraid that if I don't wear it, I'll sink, so I guess I'd rather look like a dork than sink! Am I a dork or just thinking too much?

If you are wondering about the water temp, I'm in Wisconsin, so it'll be pretty cold.

Thank you all!!!!
Roshelle from Milwaukee

[KSH]

Well, if wetsuits are legal... and you don't mind fighting it in T1... then why not?

If you ask me, it's all about being WARM! At my tri back in April, I was the ONLY ONE who carred a towel to dry myself off inbetween the pool and T1... and I was the ONLY ONE who was COVERED from head to toe in pants, jacket, and full gloves. Compare that to the guy who raced in a Speedo the whole time.

I was warm, and that's all I cared about. If someone thought I was stupid looking... oh well... they were freezing.

Do what works for you.

[Tri Girl]

I agree with KSH- do whatever you feel the most comfortable in. If you need to wear it, then wear it. Who cares what you look like? Everybody will be worrying about what THEY look like, so noone will even care- I promise.

Good luck to you- and we expect a race report when you finish!!

[Lise]

I second this emotion--do what you feel most comfortable with. Wetsuits are only "not legal" when the water temperature is too high. Have you practiced getting out of it? Maybe do a practice transition from swim to bike this week so you can identify any difficult spots and have a strategy. Or, as Jayne Williams said, "I didn't know Neoprene Bondage was a part of triathlon"

Have a blast!

[roshelleuop]

Thank you all for your responses! I feel ALOT better about wearing my wet suit. I've been practicing in the lake when possible and also in a pool and what I try to do is get out really quick and take it off as quick as possible~~LOL~~it's quite a sight! Well, not as funny as watching me put the darn thing on!!!!! But it's all worth it!!!

People look at me like I'm crazy!!!! and wonder, what the heck is that crazy lady doing!?!?!?! But it'll be worth it come race day on Saturday!

I will definitely give my race day results!!! I can't wait!!!!

Thank you all!!!

[Nanci]

Do you know about spraying yourself with PAM to make it easier to get on?? Or, when it's dry, putting cornstarch (for babies) in it. Or putting it on in the water. (Which is only good when the water isn't freezing!!)