Triathlon/Swim + Hair-do = disaster?

[GJ137]

This is my first post and I'm really excited to be a part of this group. I am a cyclist that has become interested in triathlons. My hubby and I are training right now for a sprint distance one in June. My question concerns hair: my hair gets really upset just from swimming in the pool for training, let alone swimming with a cap, then biking, then running. Do you ladies have any tricks to keep my hair in workable condition? I know there are some special conditioners etc. that help to protect your hair. Do you apply anything before putting on the cap?
Thank you!

[Running Mommy]

WELCOME! Nice to have another triathlete on board...
How long is your hair? Is it curly, straight? I have long stick straight hair and it's usually a disaster by the end of my races!
I put it up in a ponytail before I put my swim cap on. In T1 I just mash my helmet down over it, and then when I get into T2 I throw a cap on for running. I run w/ a cap anyway as I've had skin cancer on my head at one time. Yep- on my HEAD! I have thin hair and I guess all those years of running w/ out a cap caught up w/ me. I also wear a cap running so I can put ice in it or wet it down to cool me off on the run.
Sometimes I have to adjust the pony on the fly as I'm running out of transition, but it's all good. After the race my hair is a big ugly fuzz ball, but that's just part of the fun.
I use a shampoo /conditioner that I ordered from Kiefer to get the clorine out of my hair, but other that that I just make sure that it's well conditioned. I live in AZ so it's real dry here. My hair needs all the help it can get.
Anyway, hope this helps you. And again welcome!
Denise

[KSH]

Hello... and welcome.

Yes, you can put conditioner on your hair, under the swim cap.

Here's what I do... I wear my hair rubber band on my wrist. As I run from the pool to the bike... I put my hair in a pony tail so that way I just pop the helmet on when I reach my bike.

Oh, and you might want to check out: www.beginnertriathlete.com, as it's a website dedicated to us just starting in the sport.

[GJ137]

Thanks for your replies. I assumed a good ol' ponytail was the best way to go. And I have wavy hair so I'm sure mine will be a curly fuzz ball by the end! Not as if something like bad hair would stop me from doing a triathlon anyways

[Pedal Wench]

I don't tri, but I ride. I have long hair that I used to just put in a ponytail. It would still get all tangled up from wind, sweat and sunscreen. Once I started braiding it, no more problems. To keep it secure, I pull it into a ponytail with tight rubberband. Braid it, and put one more rubberband at the end. It really keeps things neat and tangle-free.

[kiwi girl]

Put it in a ponytail. Your helmet and then a cap on the run will cover up most of the mess (I run first thing in the morning and wear a cap even when its dark - hence no need for sun protection - just to cover up my unruly first think in the morning hair)

[archibella]

I don't do tri, but was on swim team at one point... i jog on occasion and bike lots now. I have long (almost to my waist) curly hair and a braid is definitely the way I go for all of the above. Fewer frizzies & less knots to work through later. The only bad things are 1) after you swim, you will have wet hair, and it will stay wet until you take the braid out, and wash and dry your hair, and 2) I had to readjust my helmet to fit over braided hair, and then you have to wear your hair the same way every time, or it won't fit right, lol.

Good luck on your new sport! oh, and just out of curiousity, you do wear swim caps doing tri? that and a braid used to keep my hair pretty protected and even dry at the crown of my head (yes, I know they look goofy though, lol).

[kiwi girl]

In most triathlons I do it is compulsory to wear a swim cap - often the provided one which is colour coded by wave start or branded by the sponsor

[GJ137]

Yes, for all the tris I've seen, caps are required for the swim portion. I'm fine with apres swim hair but it's more for before/during. At the pool I've seen women putting something on their hair right before they put the cap on, it looks like vaseline or something?! I just know my hair is dead after swimming, even with a cap on. I could try to braid it and then put it up. Maybe that will work.
Right now I'm spinning on M & W and then running with weight training T, R & Saturday. I'm waiting until my body adjusts to this routine and then I'll add swimming after my spinning class. I just got a new TYR swimsuit and now I just have to try it out. I know I look faster in it, whether I am or not is yet to be seen

[Dianyla]

Keeping your hair in a braid is the easiest way to keep it contained and avoid really nasty tangles during exercise. When I was on swim team, I braided my hair and then coiled the braid into a bun at the nape of my neck, and put a swimcap over the whole thing. If you can wear your own swim cap, the silicone ones are more comfortable and do not tear the hair as much as the latex ones.

The best way to protect hair from chlorine is to wet it down with freshwater first, so that the hair will be less likely to absorb the chlorine water. Also, slathering on some oil or conditioner before getting into the pool helps as well, paying special attention to the ends of your hair as they are the most weathered and fragile. You can use pretty much any hair conditioner, or an oil that is good for hair such as jojoba or coconut oil. After being in chlorinated water, you need to use a shampoo designed to remove chlorine deposits from hair. Regular shampoo does not do this. Some expensive salon brands that work well are Nexxus Aloe-Rid and Joico Resolve. Aubrey Organics also makes a very good Swimmer's Shampoo that is organic.

So, if I were to consider doing a triathlon (which is highly unlikely, since my knees can't handle the impact of running) I would probably do the following:
1. Wet hair thoroughly and coat the length/ends in oil or conditioner
2. Put it in a single low braid that can be worn with a hat/helmet
3. Coil the braid up and stuff under swimcap for swimming portion
4. Take off cap and let braid hang loose for the rest of the event
5. Afterwards, wash with a chlorine-removing shampoo and use a very moisturizing conditioner


BTW, my hair is down to my calves, so I'm sorry if I come across as slightly hair-obsessed.

[Lise]

Welcome to the boards!

I'm in the braid camp. My hair is below my shoulders now, but when I did my first tri, it was just below my ears, with lots of annoying layers. Annoying for sports, that is! As it grew out, I had the option to either use a lot of bobby pins (annoying), or french braid it. I do two french braids, one from each side of my head, to get in the little pieces in the front. The little braids meet in the middle, just about ear level, in the back, and then I braid the rest down the back in one braid. This has worked out very well for swimming, biking, and running. I just can't stand the little pieces that flap in my face otherwise.

I'm glad you asked about conditioner, as I've been wondering myself. I color my hair (cover the grey with blonde), and don't want to end up with green hair from the chlorine. So I'm going to use the above tips about soaking with fresh water and putting on oil or conditioner before getting in the pool.

I did an Oly tri with some newbie friends last summer. I ended up french braiding their hair as we waited for the swim start. It keeps the hair closer to the head, and I find it easier to fit under a swim cap and helmet than a ponytail. As archibella said, though, you do have to adjust your helmet fit to accomodate the braid!

Best wishes, Lise