Since I signed up for IMAZ this November I've started to increase the duration of my daily training. I'm used to shorter events, mostly sprints and Olys, but I have done the Santa Barbara long course (kind of a weird 1/4 Ironman thing) and one 70.3 so far. I generally don't eat during those events, just hydrate with the occasional gel here and there. But for a full length IM, I know nutrition is going to be key to finishing this thing. As it is, I'm planning on my usual hydration and gels, plus bananas and maybe some more substantial "fruit smoothie" kind of stuff, particularly on the run portion.

And that brings up the next concern. So far, I've never needed to empty my bowels during an event. Peed more than a few times, who hasn't? But never had a bowel movement. Being new to the tri suit idea, I thought these things would be great. And then I tried them. Don't get me wrong, I will absolutely use a tri suit in my shorter events. But a longer event, where bathroom breaks may be a physiological necessity, it seems like a tri suit may be a less-than-ideal solution. And just aside from the bowel movement concern, I don't have the anatomical luxury of "just whipping it out".

So now I'm thinking that for anything shorter than a full distance IM event, sure, go with the tri suit. But for a 15 or 16 or 17 (hopefully not 17!) hour day, maybe just some comfortable bike shorts and a jersey would be a better plan.

Input from experienced competitors?