What to wear if a tri-suit won't fit?

[channlluv]

Roadigal, that's exactly the kind of step-by-step instruction I'm needing, thank you! I just read over the last one. It lists an emergency tag for your wetsuit and biking shoes - is that in case something happens to me and I can't speak for myself? Crash. Shark. Oh, the imagination runs wild. Eek.

D*H made a point today. He said no one starts training for a tri a month out from the race, and he asked if I'd checked it with my doctor. I haven't. I have to call her Monday morning. She's a runner and a cyclist, too, and she races, so she'll have a good idea if my heart can handle all of this.

I went on a 10-mile ride this morning - I did six miles in 28 minutes. That's on my mtb with the fat tires. As I was finishing the last lap up on the dam, I was feeling all good about myself and this white-haired man blows by me on a road bike like I'm standing still. I really need to get the skinny tires.

Roxy

[txred9876]

Roadigal, that's exactly the kind of step-by-step instruction I'm needing, thank you! I just read over the last one. It lists an emergency tag for your wetsuit and biking shoes - is that in case something happens to me and I can't speak for myself? Crash. Shark. Oh, the imagination runs wild. Eek.

D*H made a point today. He said no one starts training for a tri a month out from the race, and he asked if I'd checked it with my doctor. I haven't. I have to call her Monday morning. She's a runner and a cyclist, too, and she races, so she'll have a good idea if my heart can handle all of this.

I went on a 10-mile ride this morning - I did six miles in 28 minutes. That's on my mtb with the fat tires. As I was finishing the last lap up on the dam, I was feeling all good about myself and this white-haired man blows by me on a road bike like I'm standing still. I really need to get the skinny tires.

Roxy

Last weekend when I was doing my 16 mile ride (5 laps), I knew something was just a little harder for me but wasn't sure why...

Well .... on lap 5 of 5 a guy who had passed me at least twice tells me.... if you raised your seat a little you would not be so tired! I had just had it in to put the new tires on and they adjusted the seat to put it in the rack!!

I was thinking...thanks for the advice.... but why on lap 5????? LOL

We all learn at our own rate!

Tina

[withm]

Take a Sharpie pen or even a piece of clear tape and either make a mark, or place the tape around the seat post where the seat post meets the tube. That way any shop that has to remove the post to put it on a rack will know where to set it when they are done. And you will always know at a glance if it has slipped, or is otherwise in the wrong place. And if you later decide it's too high/low, you have a reference point for making adjustments.

[Running Mommy]

Roxy-
WHY did I not see this thread earlier??!!
SHEESH! I am the poster child for "larger than life" triathletes!
And I know just how you feel looking for a wetsuit!
I wear the athena XL blue seventy suit, but it may be just a tad too small for you at this point. Heck since I gained weight it's prolly to small for me. UGH
Anyway, I remember looking for wetsuits back when I was getting ready for my first, it was AWFUL! At that time the brand "orca" was ALL the rage in the tri world. Um yeah, there was no way I was wearing a wetsuit with ORCA splashed across the front of it!
After buying about 6 different suits (no joke, ask my husband) I ended up with a mens XL quintana roo, and yes, I had to cut the legs off.
Not the best case scenario, but it got me thru my early races.

I have done many a race at mission bay, that is a fun course! I would think you'll prolly still need a wetsuit this early in the season. As for the bike, just wear your trisuit underneath the wetsuit and cycle and run in that. I usually have a t shirt or jersey to go over my top tho. Of course that's just me. I still have body issues, so I like to cover up. However, that is ME!! Do what works for you. If you want to run in your tri suit only, then do it. Don't give anyone who would say negative things your time or worry. THEY are the ones that are flawed.
I give you many kudos! It takes a lot to put yourself out there, but you are and that makes you WAY cool!
I hope you have fun in your race, let us all know how it goes. We will be cheering for you.
BTW- if you want to see what I look like racing- check out the you tube video a friend did for me (WARNING SONG HAS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)
He actually did two. THe one in 06 is full of triumph, the one in 07... not so much. But it shows how I put myself out there anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGFx4xWnnnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgT_W4nc3Z0

[kacie tri-ing]

Roxy-
WHY did I not see this thread earlier??!!
SHEESH! I am the poster child for "larger than life" triathletes!
And I know just how you feel looking for a wetsuit!
I wear the athena XL blue seventy suit, but it may be just a tad too small for you at this point. Heck since I gained weight it's prolly to small for me. UGH
Anyway, I remember looking for wetsuits back when I was getting ready for my first, it was AWFUL! At that time the brand "orca" was ALL the rage in the tri world. Um yeah, there was no way I was wearing a wetsuit with ORCA splashed across the front of it!
After buying about 6 different suits (no joke, ask my husband) I ended up with a mens XL quintana roo, and yes, I had to cut the legs off.
Not the best case scenario, but it got me thru my early races.

I have done many a race at mission bay, that is a fun course! I would think you'll prolly still need a wetsuit this early in the season. As for the bike, just wear your trisuit underneath the wetsuit and cycle and run in that. I usually have a t shirt or jersey to go over my top tho. Of course that's just me. I still have body issues, so I like to cover up. However, that is ME!! Do what works for you. If you want to run in your tri suit only, then do it. Don't give anyone who would say negative things your time or worry. THEY are the ones that are flawed.
I give you many kudos! It takes a lot to put yourself out there, but you are and that makes you WAY cool!
I hope you have fun in your race, let us all know how it goes. We will be cheering for you.
BTW- if you want to see what I look like racing- check out the you tube video a friend did for me (WARNING SONG HAS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)
He actually did two. THe one in 06 is full of triumph, the one in 07... not so much. But it shows how I put myself out there anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGFx4xWnnnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgT_W4nc3Z0

I LOVED those videos! Are you doing it this year?

[fidlfreek]

Ok, first of all, I think everyone is very self conscious on their first triathlon! So more power to anyone willing to put themselves out there. You go girl!

First, Tina - you're talking about sewing a tri suit right? From a friend I have learned that you might want to look into titanium needles (no joke!) for the sewing machine. Apparently they work MUCH better on lycra-like materials.

Roxy - you should definitely watch transition videos to get an idea of how to run them. For instance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKWHELY0qxw
There are TONS of them. Also, my advice is to try to get there at the same time as when the transition opens. Otherwise you might be stuck w/ less room on the rack/ground than you want.

Also, have you considered just not worrying about food on an 1.5 hr race? Most people agree that you'll likely have enough short-term fuel on board to just skip the Gu. But might experiment. That would help you streamline.

[txred9876]

Ok, first of all, I think everyone is very self conscious on their first triathlon! So more power to anyone willing to put themselves out there. You go girl!

First, Tina - you're talking about sewing a tri suit right? From a friend I have learned that you might want to look into titanium needles (no joke!) for the sewing machine. Apparently they work MUCH better on lycra-like materials.

Roxy - you should definitely watch transition videos to get an idea of how to run them. For instance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKWHELY0qxw
There are TONS of them. Also, my advice is to try to get there at the same time as when the transition opens. Otherwise you might be stuck w/ less room on the rack/ground than you want.

Also, have you considered just not worrying about food on an 1.5 hr race? Most people agree that you'll likely have enough short-term fuel on board to just skip the Gu. But might experiment. That would help you streamline.

Thanks for the tip on the needles. I have been so busy training I havent had time to sew. I did however pickup two items off ebay.... one is a junonia aquatard that works perfect for my larger stomach and I do not have to use my prostetics (double mastectomy due to breast cancer). I also picked up a junonia "wet" suit. I am not sure what constitutes a wet suit or not. This is long sleeved, has a zipper up the front and shorts that go down about half way to the knee. The first one made a HUGE difference in my swimming workouts. No more scooping!

Tina

ps.. I am not going to worry to much about food during my sprint tri. I will make sure I do my breakfast protien shake ect and lots of electrolyte water during the bike and walk.

[txred9876]

Take a Sharpie pen or even a piece of clear tape and either make a mark, or place the tape around the seat post where the seat post meets the tube. That way any shop that has to remove the post to put it on a rack will know where to set it when they are done. And you will always know at a glance if it has slipped, or is otherwise in the wrong place. And if you later decide it's too high/low, you have a reference point for making adjustments.

Thanks for the advise! I will do that....

Tina

[txred9876]

Ok I am going to throw a kink into this thread......

I have a problem... My stomach is like a 3x but with out my prostatics I am pretty flat chested.....and I have no hips....LOL

so here i am straigh at the hips waist but no boobs....

I am not sure which one will fit if any!

any suggestions?

Tina

[tribogota]

great going denise, great video, and congrats on 16 hours, I wouldn´t EVEN do an ironman!

[NbyNW]

The March 2009 Triathlete magazine has a wetsuit buyer's guide. I noticed that there are two companies that will do top/bottom separates:

Desotosport.com
Maystorm-gear.com

I don't have experience with either of these, but they may be worth investigating.

[Iris616]

Xterra also has an extensive sizing chart. Plus, they had great customer service!
Last year I rented a wetsuit for a Tri that was cancelled due to weather. Xterra gave a full refund.

[roadie gal]

Ok I am going to throw a kink into this thread......

I have a problem... My stomach is like a 3x but with out my prostatics I am pretty flat chested.....and I have no hips....LOL

so here i am straigh at the hips waist but no boobs....

I am not sure which one will fit if any!

any suggestions?

Tina

I'm not being facetious here... How about trying on a men's suit?

[txred9876]

I'm not being facetious here... How about trying on a men's suit?

not a problem.....I have thought of all kinds of options....

I thought about that but I still think I might have to deal with the bigger belly compared to a flat chest....

tina