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

[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.

[channlluv]

First off...Roxy...go for it! Who cares what others think...if they're standing on the sidelines jeering you...well...enough said. You're out there doing something they're not. You go girl!

If your daughter is interested, there is an IronKids tri the first weekend in May in Mission Bay. There is also a tri in Temecula the weekend before that and there is a kids division. My (almost) 9 year old daughter is thinking of doing both...even though her mama is strictly a cyclist.

Thanks for the encouragement. I need it.

Where is there information on these kids' triathlons? I'd love to learn more. The tri I'm thinking of doing is also the first weekend in May at Mission Bay. I wonder if they're related and the form I have just doesn't have anything about the kids' on it. Curious.

Thank you!

Roxy

[channlluv]

Denise, those videos are fantastic. I second what others have said, those are really inspirational!

Iris and Jocelyn, thank you for the tips on the wetsuits. I'll go check those out, too.

I'm waiting to hear back from my doctor. I emailed her today. I'll probably hear back tomorrow.

Roxy

[Brandy]

Thanks for the encouragement. I need it.

Where is there information on these kids' triathlons? I'd love to learn more. The tri I'm thinking of doing is also the first weekend in May at Mission Bay. I wonder if they're related and the form I have just doesn't have anything about the kids' on it. Curious.

Thank you!

Roxy

You're welcome Roxy.

April 26th in Temecula there is a youth triathlon http://7thannualpossabilitiestriathl...?ievent=298420

May 2nd is Ironkids at Mission Bay http://www.ironkids.com/

July 18th is Santa Barbara Kids Tri http://www.sbkidstriathlon.com/RaceInfo.cfm

I'm still looking into some more, but those are the ones I know about!

[txred9876]

Well I ordered some patterns today to get an idea of what I might like. I found a place to buy everything to make my own suit!

I have sewn everything else under the sun....why not try this...LOL

Tina

[NbyNW]

Cool! Let us know how the sewing project goes!

[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

[derosarah]

Hi all,

Wow, I am so glad I found this thread!

I just signed up for the Danskin sprint triathlon (last night!) and afterwards I was in full panic over it-- I'm overweight, and was thinking, "What did I get myself into??? I think I'm completely crazy!" But I've been wanting to do a solo tri for years (I did a couple swim legs as a teenager)... I always seemed to put it off because of something. Mostly, I always thought, "I'll do it when I'm in shape".

Well, I'm now 31 and sick of life passing me by while I wait until I'm _____ (fill in the blank). So, I signed up! And after reading everyone's posts, I feel really excited to get out there and do it! I was really feeling bad about being big, having to walk, having a mountain bike... but now I feel like I'm part of the team! It's awesome!!

So, couple of questions:

1. I would like to ride my mountain bike (don't really want to buy a new bike just for this). Should I just switch out the tires for something more "racey"? Is this frowned upon?

2. I have read that some women who wear a sport bra under their tri top/uni get some really painful chafing. Has this happened to anyone here? I really need to wear a sport bra for the run-- can I wear this the whole time, even for the swim?

Ok, that's all for now. Thanks for easing my mind and lifting my spirits!!
~Sarah

[Tri Girl]

Welcome, Sarah! We're glad that you're here. You'll find out that everyone fits in at a tri. There are people of all shapes and sizes with everything from a $50 Target bike to a $5000 fancy tri bike. Everyone has their place in this sport!!!

1. I would like to ride my mountain bike (don't really want to buy a new bike just for this). Should I just switch out the tires for something more "racey"? Is this frowned upon?

Not frowned upon at all! Why buy a new bike if you don't need to? Just buy some slick tires and you're good to go. Heck- you could even keep the same tires, you'll just create more friction. In my first multisport race (a duathlon), I was passed by an older woman on the bike portion. She was riding a mtn bike with big, fat, knobby tires. I was seriously impressed.

2. I have read that some women who wear a sport bra under their tri top/uni get some really painful chafing. Has this happened to anyone here? I really need to wear a sport bra for the run-- can I wear this the whole time, even for the swim?

I am rather "gifted" up top so I have to wear a smash-em up bra under my top. If you practice in your top, you may not chafe. Then again, sometimes I still do (the girls rest on my chest and always rub). I use Bodyglide or Aquafor before the swim to prevent chafing, and it usually does a good enough job. And you'll wear the bra for the swim, too. Just buy one that is moisture wicking and not really thick cotton so it doesn't hold too much water or it might get uncomfortable.

Just my thoughts- take them with a grain of salt.
When is your tri?

[derosarah]

Hi Tri Girl (and others!),

Thanks for the advice... and the kind words!

I'll definitely look into slick tires for my bike-- good to know I can ride the one I have and no one will really blink an eye.

And I was sort of assuming that I'd just wear a bra under my stuff (ah, being "gifted"-- I like that term, btw), but then I got nervous about the chafing. The glide application is a good idea.

Also, do you have suggestions for shorts? Do you run in the same shorts you bike in (assuming the biking shorts are padded)? I've seen some shorts advertised that have padding, but are still run-worthy... but I admit that I'm skeptical... I'm interested to hear opinions!

[derosarah]

whoops, forgot to mention my tri date: June 28th (!)

[roadie gal]

Hi Tri Girl (and others!),

I'll definitely look into slick tires for my bike-- good to know I can ride the one I have and no one will really blink an eye.

Also, do you have suggestions for shorts? Do you run in the same shorts you bike in (assuming the biking shorts are padded)? I've seen some shorts advertised that have padding, but are still run-worthy... but I admit that I'm skeptical... I'm interested to hear opinions!

You don't have to go all out for expensive tires. A pair of cheap slicks will make a huge speed difference (and energy use difference) over the knobby tires.

How long is the bike portion? If it's long enough to wear padded shorts then I would get a pair of tri shorts. They have a minimal pad and are designed for swimming and running as well as biking.