Dressing for your first triathlon can be a challenge. It’s easy enough to dress to go running, but you’ll be cycling and swimming, too, so do you choose one outfit for all three races, or change each time? The time you take between events counts toward your overall time so you want to minimize it as much as possible.
Unless you’re terribly fashion conscious or very modest, you can probably do the entire race in a simple one-piece swimsuit, or a top and bathing suit bottoms. You’ll want to wear a sports bra, no matter what you wear on top, just for adequate support. And you may choose to wear tight-fitting shorts like biking shorts even for the swimming portion. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference, depending on how you feel comfortable.
Some things to consider are whether or not you’re comfortable cycling in a swimsuit, or you’d rather slip on bike shorts for that portion of the race. Alternatively, do you want to go running in the triathlon in bike shorts that you wore swimming and now are wet? It doesn’t take that long to change, and it’s much better to be dry and comfortable as possible instead of distracted by your clothing as you forge through the race.
You can purchase special triathlon shorts
You can also opt to wear special swimming gear, like a wetsuit. A wetsuit will keep you warm, but unless the water is strangely cold that day or the triathlon is in an usual place, water temperature usually isn’t a factor. Wetsuits can also help you stay above the water. If you opt to wear a wet suit, wear your running clothes beneath it to make the transition easier—just peel off the wetsuit and go.
If you want to wear a wetsuit for the swimming portion, be sure you purchase a triathlon wetsuit, not one designed for scuba diving or other water sports. Triathlon wetsuits have slicker outside which promotes faster swimming, and they’re much more easily removed than other wetsuits.
Also, some prefer wearing socks, some blister without them. If you can manage without them, you’ll save time when it comes to the swimming portion. Elastic laces eliminate the need to tie and untie the shoes, as well. You can wear the same shoes for both running and cycling—special cycling shoes clipped to the pedals aren’t necessary.
The most important thing, though, after figuring out what triathlon clothing you prefer, is to train in that clothing. Don’t wait until race day to wear that wetsuit or shed your socks for running. You’ll swim, bike and run faster and better if you’ve practice in your triathlon clothing for quite a while already.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2008-12-08 18:13:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Cycling Glossary A good part of understanding your triathlon training and performance is having a grasp on the lingo. Here is a guide to cycling terms that you should know in order to get the most out of your experience. Aero Bar - An aero bar is a type of handlebar that...... -
Choosing the Right Triathlon Bike pt 2 You are really going to want to choose a bicycle that fits your body perfectly, comfortable, and also fits your budget. You can buy an extremely expensive bike, but if it does not fit your frame, then it is completely worthless when it comes to meeting your bicycling needs. The...... -
Your Swim Pose and Triathlon Training As technical as the swimming sport can be, it can generally be tough to narrow down solutions to a question that is asked often: What should I concentrate on in order to improve my triathlon swim capabilities? Here are five steps that you can take to improve your swim for...... -
Preparing For your Triathlon With the Right Gear Most people who are facing the concept of their first triathlon are wondering what type of gear and equipment will best suit them. Depending on your skill level, your budget and what equipment you currently own, your needs for the right gear will certainly be difficult. Assuming that budget is...... -
Choosing the Right Triathlon Bike The biggest step in figuring out what type of bike you should ride in for your triathlon is to determine what kind of money you have in your budget for the right bike. This is going to be absolutely the biggest factor in helping you to determine which bike is......