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