What to wear?

[luv2run]

I'm participating in my first mini tri and I'm not sure what the best combination of clothing is. I've visited a lot websites trying to find the answers and I hoping to find the answers here. The water temperature will be about 65 degrees. Do I wear a full suit with sleeves or half suit without? What do I wear underneath for the bike and run? Also, I currently ride my bike with sneakers and I was planning on changing my peddles in the next couple of weeks. However, should I just wear my sneaks for the mini? Thanks a bunch, I really need your help!

[KnottedYet]

When is the mini?

I'd just leave the pedals alone if the tri is soon. stick with what works. Besides, staying in sneaks will decrease your transition time.

As far as what to wear, everyone has their own system so you can get lots of ideas from this forum. Take the ones that appeal to you and try them out before the tri, create one that works for you!

I wear a sleeveless full length wetsuit. Under that a black sports bra and black long-inseam compression shorts. Out of the water I take off the wetsuit and put on my shirt and a biking skort with chamois. (over the bra and compression shorts). Off the bike I take off the helmet, gloves, and bike shoes; put on a baseball hat and running sandals/shoes.

[luv2run]

The mini is July 8th. Years ago I had a road bike with clips (or is it clipless?), so I'm not worried about being locked in. Thanks for your help.

[KSH]

65 degrees is cold in the water. I would suggest a full sleeved wetsuit. You can rent one for $65 from www.trisports.com. AND... after you return it, if you buy something from then w/in 30 days, you get that $65 credited towards your purchase.

What to wear under the wetsuit?

Tri shorts. I personally LOVE Desoto tri shorts. I recently bought these, and I like the fact that they aren't really long (I have short legs) and no seam up the crotch: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=26982

I also bought this top, and I love it. So cute! Gives you enough room in the arms, but high on the chest so you aren't showing clevage. And, it's long so it goes down to your hips- covering your stomach. http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=26974

As for your shoes... only change your pedals/shoes if you have enough time to get comfortable on them before the race. Otherwise, stick with what you know and are comfortable with.

Good luck!

[KnottedYet]

If you have time to ride a bunch, two months is probably plenty of time to re-aquaint your muscles with the clipless system. (if it was two weeks, well.... that'd be a little different! ) I had people crashing around me during the Danskin, and if I hadn't been very comfy and automatic with my clipless, I would've gone down, too. You never know when something like that will happen.

I have known people to switch out their clipless for flat pedals with clips for a sprint tri, to save time in transition with the shoe change.

I just putt-putt along in the swim and run so slowly that a couple minutes changing shoes in transition makes NO difference in my time, and I really love my Speedplay Frogs. (perhaps I should consider myself a "sweep" triathlete! )

[luv2run]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've read books, I've searched many sites, but none of them provided the "inside" info you ladies just shared. You've put many questions to rest. I will share this with my training partner as well.

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi There,
I think since you have so much time before the race, that you should get used to your clipless pedals again. I find for myself, that any extra time I lose in transition changing shoes is more than made up for in efficiency and power riding clipless.

Now as far as what to wear. I bought a one piece trisuit on ebay for about 1/4 the retail price. I did not want to worry about adjusting stuff. Just off with the wetsuit and go.


Good Luck.

What are the distances for your race?

[luv2run]

1/4 mile swim, 12m bike, 5k run. The water will be cold (65), the bike course has many rolling type hills. However, the start is only 3 miles from house and the bike passes my street. I will have familiarity on my side! Is a one piece more comfortable under a wetsuit?
Thanks for you tips.