[Closed] Triathlon-track-world: first timer.

I've only done one open water swim but I much prefer it. The wetsuit makes it a doddle. Do the oly.

I prefer open water swimming. Sea swim tri's are normally in calmer sheltered water, and wetsuits make you swim like a god 🙂

Sounds like you'll be ok over either distance, so go for the oly, but start easy on the swim and build up.

How's your sighting in open water?

and wetsuits make you swim like a god

Nice!! Guessing I need to put something like vaseline around my neck though??

How's your sighting in open water?

Not sure tbh!!! I imagine its ok, I have spent a fair amount of time in the sea doing other water sports.

Bump!

On average a wettie will improve our swim time by roughy 10% and for the average swimmer it will make the whole experience much easier and more enjoyable (possible chaffing aside). Against that you have real challenges with a sea swim - currents, waves, challenging sighting, sharks etc.

On balance they probably just about net each out - easy but may be not quicker!!!!

Enjoy it!!

P.s Vaseline neck, arms, legs to avoid chaffing and getting wetsuit off.

@OP, search under my forum activity. I had a "first triathlon" thread last week with lots of tips and advice, especially from my bezzie thm. 🙂

cricket box. they're here.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/10284686/Testicle-munching-fish-now-found-in-River-Seine-in-Paris.html

Nice thread deadly!!!

Did you establish what you are going to wear under your wetsuit, if anything? Not sure if I should wear full on bike bib shorts or something a bit lighter.

I'd say start with a Sprint and see if you enjoy it - no point buying a wetsuit for a single Oly distance...

I started doing Sprints two years ago, done one Olympic (which was good fun) and have an Ironman coming up in 5 weeks 🙂

Hey cheers Sam, I actually have a full tri wetsuit already, got it from a surf shop I worked in a few years ago who practically gave it to me.
What to wear under it is kinda doing my head in.

I entered the oly but miiiight switch to the sprint.

michaelmcc, I'm going to go for a trisuit I think (almost sure). I wouldn't advise trying to run in full-on bib shorts. There's just way too much padding. So trisuit with shed loads of chamois creme on the padding it is for me.

Ah - fair dos! In terms of what to wear under it... for an Oly, I'd go for a two-piece tri suit so you can stop for a toilet break if necessary. If your bladder is strong, go for a one-piece and hope you don't need to pee during the run or bike.

The problem with an Oly (and indeed a sprint) is that you won't be able to get changed - there's usually a "no public toplessness / nudity" rule in place, and organisers often won't bother with a tent, so you're stuck wearing one set of kit through the whole thing.

If you don't have tri kit and don't want to spend, then I'd suggest lycra running shorts and probably a cycling jersey. Road bike is only 40k so just over an hour, shouldn't be too much chafage going on, and the jersey will be useful with pockets and such for gels. As darcy says, bib shorts are great for the bike but will probably have too much padding for running - and the thicker padding will also retain a lot of water from the swim (more chafage!)

I suppose a better question would be - what kit do you have now that you're comfy running or cycling in?

Practice the bike to run transition, watching my wife's attempts at running having done the bike part on her old mountain bike nearly caused a divorce because I couldnt stop laughing.

Enjoy it, everyone I know who has done 1 has gone on to do more of them.