Newbie, first tri

[Skeezix]

I've been lurking here for awhile reading up on all the posts and suggestions for my first tri (a sprint, which is next Sunday).

I've got a couple of questions I was hoping some of you seasoned vets wouldn't mind answering...

Clothing wise, I'm a girl on a tight budget so I can't really afford to go out and buy a tri only outfit, so I was going to wear my running shorts and enell sports bra to swim in, then at T1 I was going to pull on my bike shorts and jersey (and shoes of course). For T2 I will remove the bike shorts and run in my compression shorts and bike jersey.

Does this sound ok?


Secondly, of course I got sick this week- a sore throat/fever/clogged ears. I immediately went to the doctor and he told me it was a virus and nothing I could do but rest and take decongestent. So I was off my training for 3 days because of it. I feel nearly 100% better now (thank god), and I was planning on tapering starting on Tuesday, so I should do really hard good workouts till then to make up for the days I missed- right?

[HappyAnika]

Hmm, I'm confused, you want to change shorts 2 times for a sprint? Or are your running shorts the same as your compression shorts? If the running shorts are the same as your compression shorts, then your plan sounds good. If not, I would imagine it would be hard to swim in running shorts, and you won't have a place to change, other than in transition, and *ahem* exposure is generally not allowed.

As far as making up for the missed workouts, its probably not necessary. 3 days is not too much to worry about. I would stick with your original plan, do what you have done if you hadn't gotten sick. That's just my opinion, someone else wiser than me may have better advice. Good luck, and be sure to come back and tell us how it went!

[Skeezix]

Sorry, yes, I'm planning on wearing my compression shorts the whole time and then pulling on my bike shorts over the compression shorts for the ride portion. Actually these are the shorts I'd like to wear:
TYR Women's 8 inch Tri Shorts

[HillSlugger]

Your plan sounds like it should work fine. It's basically what I had originally planned, until I found a great sale on tri shorts.

[Wahine]

I wouldn't bother with the cycling shorts. I would just use the same outfit through the whole thing. A sprint is short enough that the time in transition really counts and it would be fine to ride in your compression shorts.

As for making up for lost workouts. Don't bother, just act as if you hadn't missed a day at all.

Have fun at your race!!

[teawoman]

I have only done one tri and a try a tri, but I think you'll be fine. You won't regret the tri shorts, if you find you can spend the money at some point. They are nice and light with a bit of padding and dry fast.

I'd like to know how the Enell works out. The only example I have seen of using it is that I read in Slow Fat Triathlete that Jayne Williams wore hers and it was fine. I love the Enell, but thought it might be a bit thick, so I wore a less supportive bra for my first tri...ew. I am so used to the Enell that I think I will wear it for my upcoming tri, thick or not.

[Tri Girl]

Sorry, yes, I'm planning on wearing my compression shorts the whole time and then pulling on my bike shorts over the compression shorts for the ride portion. Actually these are the shorts I'd like to wear:
TYR Women's 8 inch Tri Shorts

Those look like great shorts- just wear those the whole time- for all three sports. That's what tri shorts are meant to do, be worn the whole time. The tri padding is designed to wear during the swim and dries quickly, and isn't enough to bother you during the run. If you wear those shorts the whole time it will save you tremendous struggles getting dressed in transition.

And don't worry about the missed days. You can't cram for a race, so just stick to your original plan the next few days and you'll be fine!

Good luck next Sunday- be sure to tell us all about it!