[Closed] First Duathlon - what to wear

Spanx

I think you will need to cut the arms off the Jersey.. Maybe wear a sun visor too..

At TrailX duathlons most people wear fitted jerseys and cycling shorts, I think there are Duathlon specific shorts that have less padding so are a little nicer to run in and a few wear tri suits. Others wear baggies and looser fitting tops but they are the minority, however ways look comfy

Just wear normal cycling lycra shorts and cycling top, will be fine. If you get into it more then you can either go the tri suit route or separate tri shorts and top, the tri shorts having a much thinner pad designed for swimming and running without too much rubbing or water retention.

As a first time though, just stick to what you already have.

Where is the duathlon just out of interest ?

I just would wear Lycra cycling gear that's what everyone did at the duathlon's I've done

I've got a £10 pair of DHB liner shorts that I've used for shorter tri's as they've got a pretty minimal pad so it doesn't hold loads of water and doesn't feel like running in a nappy which my bib shorts certainly do

Your worst worst bib shorts and a top. By that I mean the ones that are a bit thin and uncomfortable on the bike. Running with a nice thick pad always makes me realise what it must be like to be a toddler!

On the top a cycle jersey or a tightish running vest/tshirt. Give the whole outfit a test drive this week.

Good luck and enjoy it.

20mins on a bike versus 40-50mins running. I'd be tempted to just wear my running kit and ditch the bibs.

As above, I'd be riding in my running gear

I'll also add that I would also ride in my trainers with clips and straps if you have them for that distance. I don't think you'll lose much time on the bike if anything, but you probably gain at least a minute in transitions by not swapping shoes.

If you change shoes with your mouth maybe! Should take about 15 seconds!

I was thinking a minute or so across both transitions, which I think is probably reasonable for a first timer who's not well drilled at transitions, using elastic laces, undoing shoes on the way in to transition etc.

20mins on a bike versus 40-50mins running

Thanks all for the advice, went for a quick run in my cycling shorts this evening. Looked a bit odd and felt a little odd too but not uncomfortable and certainly bearable for 5k. That with a tight base layer type top will do the job I think. Re. Shoes, I managed to "borrow" a pair of elastic laces from my wife's running shoes, they're bright pink so I'll look like a fool either way. My old road shoes are all Velcro fastenings so they'll work well I think. The event is 5k run, 10k bike then 400m run to finish, the last section is on an athletics track so debating doing that bare footed, I'll decide on the day I think.

I did 3k / 10k / 3k duathlon; I wore running tights. The bike bit is over dead quick, and I didn't notice the lack of a pad. On top, I can't remember at all; probably a cycling jersey I suspect.

Tri/duathlon shorts and cycling top or thin bibs if you don't want to buy anything. The shoes thing is always an interesting one. It's not just the time taken to change shoes (which is pretty nominal). By being clipped in you use different muscles in your legs thus saving more energy for the final run, though you don't mention if there is a 2nd run. There's also the time taken to run in and out of transition with cleats on rather than trainers, a longer run in on wet tarmac might benefit trainers more for example. There are adv and dis of both which will change from person to person, race to race.

Update. Bibs and a cycling top were worn, cleats for the cycling leg. Must have worked as I bagged a podium spot, well chuffed.

Thanks all for the advice.