At the beginning of the year, I bit the bullet and signed up for my first tri. Since then I’ve been immersed (yes that’s a pun) in learning to swim. I’ve been running, but it’s definitely taken a back seat to all things aqua.
I waded through gobs of triathlon books, and this one about the Bike.
I even signed up for a teeny tiny pool tri before my official tri in June. That pool tri happens in T minus 19 days. Eeeek! With 19 days to go, the time had come to consider what to wear.
Before running my first 5k back at the turn of the century (sounds ancient doesn’t it?) I asked myself “what would Deena Kastor wear?” Except she was Deena Drossin then. It was the dark ages, remember?
Now I looked to Mirinda Carfrae for tri inspiration…and a clue. By the way she says she was “hopeless” in the swim. We’re soul mates, obviously.
Here’s my getup. So I just jump in the water wearing this then? Won’t the butt pad, I mean chamois be heavy and diaper-like when wet?? Should the shorts be this long?? My questions are many. I’m not one to be all negative on body image but I’d be lying if the word manatee didn’t come to mind. That’s what I get for heeding the call of the peanut butter eggs. So maybe this is my tri suit. Or is it trisuit? Just one letter away from TrisCuit. Mmmmm Triscuit.
When was your first tri or race? What did you wear for it?
I’m Linking up with Erika, Patty and April for Tuesdays on the Run. And with Cynthia, Courtney and Phaedra for Tri Talk Tuesday.
Mmmmm….triscuit….
Your suit is the exact same thing I wore to my first tri – it’s the ultimate in convenience. You can swim, bike, and then run in it (and have an adult beverage of choice in it when the event is all over). The chamois in a tri suit is thick enough to provide padding on the bike, but thin enough to not hold so much water that it’s squishy once you sit on your bike. Also, the shorts are longish so that they don’t ride up too much during your swim.
That is a big question, “won’t the chamois be diaper like?” I admire you for getting this done! It’s on my list of things I want to accomplish, but the swim scares me… even more reason for me to do it! Can’t wait to see you kick butt!
I have never done a tri before but am alway curious what people wear when they do one and if they are uncomfortable after they get wet?!
First, I think you look great in your tri-suit! Second, you’re my inspiration for signing up for a tri. I’m afraid of the swim. I love biking and I can tolerate running, but swimming? That scares me.
I know nothing about participating in a Tri, but GOOD LUCK on yours!! You look awesome!
You look fabulous in your tri suit! Personally I like my shorts a bit longer so they don’t ride up when I get on the bike. When everything is wet, it tends to stretch a bit and move around so the longer the better for me. Yes, you just jump in the water with that on! I would suggest using a chamois cream to avoid unpleasant chafing on the bike. I’m not sure what’s available in the US but I use chamois butter or Assos chamois cream. It’s kind of gross when you first put it on but once it soaks into the chamois you don’t really notice it. 😀
Call me shallow but I think those suits are very nice! I have seen some extra stylish ones too. My girl did a sprint triathlon – Iron Girl and I was very proud of her. She looked cute in her suit too.
WOW, Marcia! You look FIERCE in that suit!!! I have only worn wetsuits like twice in my entire life, so unfortunately I know nothing about how they are supposed to feel. But you look so hard-core!!!
LOL on Triscuits!!!
My first tri was in a bathing that I threw shorts over after the swim. Ouch! Now, I like a 2 piece over 1 piece tri suit (easy access to be able to use the restroom). And I use a chamois cream (hoo ha ride glide in my preference). A good tri bottom will work more comfortably than a bike shorts.
Your trisuit is perfect! They’re very revealing, which is uncomfortable at first, but I promise when you get there, you’ll see that ALL body types can do triathlon! It’s a great sport. The padding won’t feel squishy, it’ll be fine. You’ll be so focused on doing your thing that you won’t even notice being wet. Though I do recommend lots of body glide before the event to reduce the inevitable chafing.
You are going to ROCK this thing!! So excited for you!!
Since I started tris back in the dark ages, I wore a bathing suit up until the most recent ones I did just a couple of years ago. That’s when I finally upgraded to a tri suit like you’re wearing. And they’re really pretty comfortable (and practical!). Go take it for spin soon and you’ll get used to it!
My first tri = CapTexTri 2009. I wore a simple tri top and tri shorts, and did everything perfectly!
That last one is a lie. 😀 But I did rock it out for my first tri. I still remember every single moment of it.
yep, I wore basically what you have on. The padding in tri shorts won’t weigh you down. And you’ll be thankful to have it there for the bike. I have tried one piece and 2 piece tri suits. The one piece, although super-comfy and not a spot of chafing anywhere, was very hard to get on and off when stopping to pee before the run (olympic distance I had to pee). I stuck with a 2 piece option for the 70.3 because I would most definitely be taking a pee break between the bike and run. Sprint distance would be fine for the 1 piece option. Will you have a wet suit for the outdoor tri?
I haven’t made it tri-status, but not saying I won’t ever! I wish I had more insight on what you should wear, but I say as long as you are comfortable…that’s a winner! You’re going to rock it!
Goodluck in your tri! That is on my list to do one of these days. I don’t know much about the other two so as of right now I will be sticking to running. Maybe even a 50k in the future.
Add me to the list of folks who wear a 2 piece tri suit. I prefer long course and wiggling back into a wet one piece after a potty stop is just not happening.
You should not notice the chamois when it’s wet honestly. You’ll be too focused on trying to catch you breath after the swim – lol!
Now I’m so used to being in a tri suit I sometimes wonder where all the pockets are in my running outfits.
I don’t know a thing about tris – so not a swimmer, but I remember what I wore to my first race! It was a half marathon in mid march in NYC, so I wore cold weather leggings (which I still wear constantly), a cotton thermal top (now I know to go with moisture wicking) and a tech t for the charity I was running for. 🙂
You look hardcore to me! I’d have no idea what to wear either, so I’m just going to wish you luck on the swimming part.
I truly admire you and others who are willing to do tris. The swim part just intimidates me too much!
Never done a tri before but I’m really thinking about a duathlon. I think you look great in your suit. Remember we are our worse critic. You’ll figure it out and do great! 🙂
You look great in that trisuit! The chamois is designed to not absorb water, so no, it shouldn’t get diaper like. Also, Mirinda Carfrae is totally my spirit animal. I love her!
Good luck at your first tri! You’ll do great =)
You look great in the tri suit!! I wear two piece tri suits for longer events. I prefer 1 piece suits for sprints because I’ve been sunburned on my back before from my top riding up a little on the bike…but not convenient for potty stops. Good luck with your first event!
I’ve never done a triathlon before, and always wondered what people wore for em’. I assure you that you look nothing like a manatee–your “TrisCuit” looks awesome! :]
You look really awesome in that TrisCuit! Wow! I can’t wait to see how you do.
You look great! I would love to do a tri, but it’s that darn swim that has me skittish. Growing up in Florida, I’ve always been a swimmer, but I don’t know how to do “real” strokes with proper breathing and everything. Good luck!!! Thanks for linking up with us today!
I’m wearing comfy clothes to a tri because I won’t be competing!!
You look awesome in that – I don’t know what mirror you’re using but there is nothing resembling a manatee – just a hot, fit mama!!!
i showed rich and he says it dries quick and you are good to go!
I would think that the padding would be a little wet to start off with but you’ll be sitting on it so won’t you be squeezing out the liquid as you go? A little like peeing your pants! Sounds like fun.
I love your tri-suit! I am sure you will do great in your mini and in the one in June! I have never even considered doing a tri mostly because I am not that strong of a swimmer, or biker…
I wear a 2-piece set, mostly because I’m too cheap to buy that contraption and I can just use the tri shorts cycling training. Whatever you do, practice in it; that saggy butt can be a bit of an acquired skill. But you look marvelous, my dear! 🙂
“Triscuit” lol! too funny. You look awesome.
OMGOSH YOU HAD THIS TRISCUIT LOVING WOMAN WHO COULD NEVER DO A TRI laughing out loud.
<3
I love reading about and learning about tris. I’m so tempted with every post.
Yep, that’s how it should look! And the chamois in tri shorts and tri suits are not as padded as in bike shorts, so as long as you aren’t wearing bike shorts in the water you should be fine. Most of my tri shorts barely even provide padding. They are designed to dry quicker as well since you are doing more than one sport. And, after your swim you’ll just be running to transition, getting on your cycling stuff that you need and hopping on your bike. So it’s not really a big deal if you are wet anyway. A wetsuit does help with that, but for our first tri (in freezing water) we both just wore a tri top and tri shorts. I don’t even have a tri suit because of the whole going to the bathroom before a race thing, too much of a hassle!
Dave Scott and Mark Allen wore speedos for many of their triathlons. Just saying.
My 1st and only tri was in 2012. I wore spandex running shorts and a sports bra under my wetsuit and then put on a tank after the swim. I am probably not the best person to answer this though;) But it worked for me:) Can’t wait to hear how it goes! You will totally rock it. You have been swimming so much!
HeHe. Love this being a newbie triathlete myself! You look wonderful in your new trisuit. I did my first triathlon last year and wore tri shorts, a tank and a wetsuit for the swim. It all felt so weird which is why training in it helps! You will love it!!!
First off you look great in your TYR trisuite! and Second it doesn’t matter what you wear, if you are doing your first triathlon you are a badass, period! I wore a tri jersey and tri shorts for my first race and didn’t try a singlet until many years later, the singlet is a good choice, very comfortable! Good luck on your first race, you are going to do great!
You look great in that tri suit 🙂 I would LOVE to run/swim/bike a tri someday. 🙂
I got nothing.. 🙂 No tris here! 🙂
I haven’t done a tri and am very excited for you as I’ve always wanted to do one but just am not a strong enough swimmer yet. I think the suit you have looks great! You will do awesome!
“Won’t the butt pad be heavy and diaper-like when wet?”
This is my question every time I read about someone doing a tri haha. Let me know when you get the answer!
I love your tri suit, you look awesome! I have not done a tri but it is something I would love to try someday!
you lost me at the butt pad comment LOL. questions we all want to know but are too afraid to ask LOL
LOL! No tri’s in my future! You are going to ROCK this tri my friend!! Can’t wait to read the recap!!!