I'm a big girl, what to wear for triathlon?

[Joyadee]

I'm getting ready to do my first olympic length triathlon in April. I'm starting to think about what to wear. I was looking at body suits and thinking this may be a good way to go. I did a sprint a few years back, but I was much smaller... so I just wore my bathing suit and some shorts over it after the swim. But since then, I've had a baby... and I'm still not looking so hot. I'm thinking the body suit would keep me from tugging at my shirt to make sure its pulled down.

Any thoughts or advice? I appreciate it!

[madscot13]

hey if you are doing a triathalon, you are pretty hot to me!

[Joyadee]

Well, gee.... thanks! I'm trying....

I'm just wondering if that one piece suit will work under my wetsuit. Or is that just wierd and uncomfortable?

[madscot13]

sorry I have no advice to give, triathalon, seriously.

oh and sorry no one else has advice to give. It seems to be winter in our poor depraved minds.

[Susan Otcenas]

Hi Joyadee,

I wear size 14, mostly. I don't kow what your version of "big" is, but I wear larges and extra larges, for the most part, so I'm not small.

I tend to go for one piece tri suits. Comfortable to swim in, then just hop on the bike. No trying to pull on dry shorts over a wet bathing suit. Saves time too. With a one piece, I like the lack of waist elastic, and also like that it keeps my lower back covered from the sun.

That said, we do sell plenty of two piece outfits (both with bathing-suit-style bottoms, and with bike-short-style bottoms). More two piece than one piece, actually, so I may be in the minority. You may want to try on a few different types of suits, for comparison.

Hope that helps!

Susan

[Aggie_Ama]

Joyadee,

I am not a triathlete, so I can't offer advice. You might want to pop into the Triatholon area and ask the same question. Some of the experienced tri gals read that area the most.

[beetle]

Joyadee: I know what you mean about pulling tops down, I'm the same and am wondering about a one piece tri suit instead of separate top and bottom. I can't speak from experience but I'm thinking of trying a longer sports bra top (with some torso cover) under a one piece as I will need a separate bra anyway and this also might help hold my tummy in a bit. I've the same baby belly issue.

Susan: I see that you give the TYR suit a bit of a good wrap for those out there with bigger busts. Do you think it has sufficient chamois padding for longer rides like a HIM or full IM?

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan: I see that you give the TYR suit a bit of a good wrap for those out there with bigger busts. Do you think it has sufficient chamois padding for longer rides like a HIM or full IM?

I'm a 36D, and I think the Tyr pieces have great coverage (no bulging out the top or sides). I feel the same about Sugoi one-piece tri suits, which I've also worn.

Chamois in tri suits are typically pretty minimal, though. My longest tris have been Olympic distance, so I can't speak from personal experience in a tri chamois at longer distances. I know we sell plenty to women doing those distances. I also know that pretty much none of the elite level triathletes use anything with prominent chamois. Most of the women at the elite level do the entire event in swimsuit style bottoms with the most minimalist chamois inserts. So clearly, it can be done.

Maybe some of the longer-distance tri gals here on the forums can give us some of their experiences with tri chamois at HIM & IM distances...

Susan

[Wahine]

I've done quite a few HIMs and one IM. I'm currently training for my second IM. I wear a 2 piece suit because I like to be able to stop and pee without fussing with a 1 piece. I'm not at a competetive level where I'm prepared to pee in my shorts like the pros.

Tri shorts do have a minimal chamios, but it's not hard to get used to and I've been comfortable at both the HIM and IM distances riding this way. You just have to encorporate it in your training schedule, use the tri shorts for your long rides.

If I was doing more Oly distance races, I'd probably buy a 1 piece too. They are comfortable, not weird at all under a wetsuit and look great!

[Joyadee]

Thank you so much for the fast replies... I want to buy something this week. I think I am going to get the one piece suit. I think I will feel more confident in it and lord knows, I could use that boost! I'm also about a size 14/16 these days. I hope to drop a size before race day, but I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks for the help ladies!

[Kimmyt]

Joy, I've been shopping for tri clothes too and you should be in luck getting some deals on here or elsewhere. I noticed that it seems that lots of the leftovers from 2006 are the larger sizes, so you will be able to save some $$!! Yay!


Good luck with your training!

[Keepmovin]

Hey Joy....

Here's a great suit that should work for small-challenged gals, it features a zipper at the top so you can vent a bit during the run/bike...but zip-up for the swim. Good support, thinning lines, excellent quality from a top-rated manufacturer:

2XU Women's Race Tri-Suit:
http://www.onetri.com/womens-race-su...9279a8b3a597d5

It says it's purple, but it's much closer to black. Nifty little outfit, actually pretty flattering too! If there is a one-piece that accomodates a "big gal"...this is likely it. Behind the zipper is a fabric band...just a great design and the vertical lines help too!

[Keepmovin]

Ah nuts.....just realized this was a year-old thread...nevermind