first wetsuit swim

[silver]

I just tried out my rented wetsuit tonight in the pool and I have some questions.

Is some water supposed to get into the wetsuit? If not, what does it mean that it does?

It did seem like a good fit, but this is all new to me.

[kelownagirl]

Oh I was going to post about this today. I get to borrow a wet suit tomorrow and I really want to try it out but didn't know if I would look dumb doing that at the pool.

So did people look at you funny? I am so self-conscious sometimes...

I think I remember someone saying to let water into the wetsuit as soon as they get in so it warms up. I'll be curious to see what the answer is.

[silver]

hey kg, yeah, I was a little nervous about doing the wetsuit in the pool thing but figured I had to give it a try. Ended up there was only one other person in the pool and she never acknowledged my presence.

I kept telling myself, "I look like a cool triathlete"

I'm so glad that I did try it. I'm going to try for a couple more times hopefully.

The first length across that pool was freaky, but I became more comfy as time went on.

[kelownagirl]

hey kg, yeah, I was a little nervous about doing the wetsuit in the pool thing but figured I had to give it a try. Ended up there was only one other person in the pool and she never acknowledged my presence.

I kept telling myself, "I look like a cool triathlete"

I'm so glad that I did try it. I'm going to try for a couple more times hopefully.

The first length across that pool was freaky, but I became more comfy as time went on.

Well I just gotta remember that no one can recognize me anyway with the swim cap and goggles. I KNOW I will feel terribly self-conscious though. Especially trying to get the thing on in the change room. But now that you said you did it, I will do it too.

[Zen]

I think I remember someone saying to let water into the wetsuit as soon as they get in so it warms up.

Divers sometimes urinate in their wetsuits for that purpose.
Sometimes ya gotta do what you gotta do...

[rocknrollgirl]

It will smell, and it is tough to get out. Don't worry about looking silly in the pool. I tested mine out in the pool last year when my new one came. It is the smart thing to do.

The water should fill up the wetsuit. That is part of what keeps you warm. You just want to make sure it fits well enough that you do not have gaps of material behind your knees etc where big pockets of water form.

Do you have anywhere nearby that you can get in open water?

[lph]

fwiw - the only one wearing a wetsuit at our local pool is the swimming instructor. She looks really cool

[Tri Girl]

RNRGirl is right- some water is OK. It's your layer of insulation. You'll definitely get more comfortable at it the more you wear it. Just don't forget to body glide your neck. I've chafed there a million times from my wetsuit (where it velcros). Yeeeouch!
And I HAD to pee in my wetsuit during my IM. I mean- where else was I going to go when I was into my second loop with almost a mile left to swim? Plus, the water was cold (I had on a sleeveless), and I was starting to get REALLY chilly. It warmed me up and made me not have to do the "I gotta go" dance. When I got home 17 hours later, I washed it out really well and it hasn't smelled yet (and that was 2 years ago). Sometimes nature calls in the most inconvenient places...

[rocknrollgirl]

OK, so iron girls are excused and allowed to pee inthe wetsuit, all other triathletes...NO PEEING IN THE SUIT!

[silver]

ok, not planning to pee in the RENTED wetsuit. gross. I sure hope the last gal didn't.

The wetsuit that I used last night is a 2xu. It's the second one that they sent me, cause the first one had a hole in the leg, but now that I know that some water is gonna get in there, I'm going to try swimming in the other (an orca) it seemed a little more flexible.

The 2xu seemed a little tight across my artificial chest

and no, Im not gonna get to do an open water swim. I'm really bummed cause my team has a time scheduled but I had already signed up for one of my training classes for the same time. And I CAN'T miss that.

[HillSlugger]

I tried my suit in the pool three times before my triathlon. I definitely got some looks but nobody ever said a thing. I only felt self-conscious the first time.

I can feel water moving around in my shoulders/arms while I stroke. I think that means my suit doesn't fit quite right.

[Running Mommy]

I laugh at the no peeing in the wetsuit thing... I was a surfer back in the day, and it was a good way to warm up in the frigid pacific!

[Tri Girl]

OK, so iron girls are excused and allowed to pee inthe wetsuit, all other triathletes...NO PEEING IN THE SUIT!

awwwww c'mon, Ruth. Not even a little bit- even if I have to go really bad- or when I'm too lazy to take my wetsuit off???? You're no fun! hee hee
I was just trying to make an excuse for why I wet myself. When you're 4, it's allowed, but somehow when you're in your 30's you have to make some good excuse for why you did it.

[rocknrollgirl]

No, No, No...no peeing in the suit...yuck....now that being said, I had to pee so badly during a race last June, I thought I was gonna die. I held it for 2 1/2 hours. If I was not wearing a tri-suit, I probably would have hit the woods on the run. The truisuit I had on zipped up the back and even with a tether, I could not zip it myself. I have since purchased a front zip.

[Wahine]

Ya know, the pros not only pee in their wetsuits, they pee on the go riding and running.