Any of you guys ever change into more comfortable running clothes and T2 for a full? I always feel like my top is so tight and it’s got to be more comfortable to run in shorts
Any of you guys ever change into more comfortable running clothes and T2 for a full? I always feel like my top is so tight and it’s got to be more comfortable to run in shorts
Unless you think your transition times are going to cost you a podium slot, you can probably slip into running clothes and be in your way quickly enough that it won’t matter. I’ve seen people in running shorts. 26.2 is long enough that you can afford to be comfortable.
changed into shorts & vest at lanza IM , lost about a min extra .but felt better and cooler it was a lot easier going to toilet and best of all shorts had pockets in so could store gels easy and even filled pockets with ice
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Like others have said unless you are going for a podium or kona/worlds slot, I would change if you will feel more comfortable. It may take an extra 60 seconds but if you are happier and comfier compared to your tri suit you’ll have a better 26.2 miles. Whenever I see people who have changed into a nice running kit, I’m a little envious 
For me a trisuit is a really comfortable solution. Plus I appreciate the cooling effects of some high-end fabrics and some added compression. I haven’t had the same luck with a standard running gear.
My recommendation would be to run in whatever is more comfortable for you, because in the end it would make you go faster. However, I’d also propose to look for a comfortable trisuit - if you don’t intend to run in it, you might as well just get a speedy TT suit 
For me a trisuit is a really comfortable solution. Plus I appreciate the cooling effects of some high-end fabrics and some added compression. I haven’t had the same luck with a standard running gear.
My recommendation would be to run in whatever is more comfortable for you, because in the end it would make you go faster. However, I’d also propose to look for a comfortable trisuit - if you don’t intend to run in it, you might as well just get a speedy TT suit
Yes I wear a tri suit. I have found the Team Zoot tri suits very comfortable and will race in my tri suit. (full disclosure I am a Team Zooter)
That being said, I still envy someone in a fresh, dry singlet and comfy light running shorts. As a former marathon runner I love my running kits. That being said, everyone is different. Experiment and do what works for you. It’s all good!
For my only full I made the conscious decision that I was going to be comfortable on the bike so I changed into standard bike bibs in T1 which meant that in T2 I also fully changed into standard running clothes. Trial and error on this is key. If you’re comfortable on the bike in your trisuit I think you’ll be fine on the run. In my only 70.3 I wasn’t so happy the last 1/4 of the bike in my trisuit and on the run I started to feel some chafing the last two miles. None of this was a deal breaker on that day (or the days after 😊) but in preparation for the full I made the conscious decision to do all my long rides in standard bike gear so that is what I did on race day. Yeah my transitions were slow, but it is a long day and I was “very” comfortable.
So my last full was my 11th and I did a full change in T2 and told a friend beforehand that I was doing it because if I ended up walking I wanted to be comfortable. Ended up running a 3:25 for an Ironman marathon PR and missing a podium slot by 3 mins. Maybe it cost me, maybe it didn’t, maybe I didn’t walk because I was comfortable. At the end of the day, I’d change again and recommend it to others.
Speedo for the whole race, baby!
You getting back into racing again ?
I wear an aero top with TRI bottoms in 70.3s.
I then change the top for a running singlet on the way out of transition. Sometimes I get it all the way on other times it’s just around my neck. I’ll finish pulling it on during the run if so. My T2 is comparable to the top age group athletes. 2:30 ish depending on other factors. Only adds maybe 10 seconds. And is super comfy.
I do a full change in T1 and T2,as it is a long day. The time I lose means that I finish 137th instead of 136th
You getting back into racing again ?
I wear an aero top with TRI bottoms in 70.3s.
I then change the top for a running singlet on the way out of transition. Sometimes I get it all the way on other times it’s just around my neck. I’ll finish pulling it on during the run if so. My T2 is comparable to the top age group athletes. 2:30 ish depending on other factors. Only adds maybe 10 seconds. And is super comfy.
Lake placid in three weeks
I change in T2 for IM races. Trisuit removal, getting in the shorts and running top takes me about 20 seconds. As a heavy sweater, I’m WAY more comfortable running in shorts and sleeveless loose top, and I am pretty certain the operation is a net time gain for me.
Awesome thanks for the info one more question for you guys
If changing into traditional running shorts which is my tentative plan are you guys just sporting regular cotton underwear I mean the stuff I wear I’ve done some half marathons in even up to 16 MI but haven’t pushed beyond that didn’t know if there was a better option there
And what tops are you guys wearing just something like a loose fitting teck shirt
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There seems to be a common sentiment that transition time only matters for podium spots or qualification attempts.
I can add a couple more reasons why transition time can matter.
If you are trying to break a specific hour mark. Doesn’t matter if it’s 10 hours or 17. 9:59:59 is infinitely more satisfying than 10:00:01!
Also if you have a friend/rival that you want to beat. One year at Ironman Louisville, I beat a training partner by less than a minute. His cumulative swim bike run time was faster than mine but my transition was faster than his especially T2. He changed into run gear and I ran in the same kit that I biked in. His change in T2 was the primary reason that I finished ahead of him that day. Neither he or I can remember the exact time or places we were in but we still talk about that battle we had at that race. He was in T2 ahead of me, I came in and exited while he was still in there and that was the move of the day. One of my favorite triathlon moments.
This is actually just only correct if you work with the idea that your buddy would have run the same time in, perhaps, an uncomfortable -for him- aero suit.
But if he was more comfortable running in his run kit his time wasn’t just not good enough but you will never know if it was even ‘worse’ if he started running in his aero suit
Jeroen
If changing into traditional running shorts which is my tentative plan are you guys just sporting regular cotton underwear I mean the stuff I wear I’ve done some half marathons in even up to 16 MI but haven’t pushed beyond that didn’t know if there was a better option there
Unequivocally NO!!! Runderwear gets a lot of nods but I still stick with UA. I’d rather be in my tri suit/lycra than my “daily†garment.
I’ve done one full. It was in 2005. A guy stripped down completely naked in T2 and put on running gear then took off.
I don’t change into traditional running shorts. I change into running tights (like cycling knicks but without the chammy). I find these type of shorts prevent chafing on long runs.
I think it’s a net gain (over a tight fitting aero trisuit) if you think you’ll need to stop for a portaloo during the run. It’s 30-60s to change from skinsuit to vest/light shorts in T2 but if you have to visit the portaloo on the run it’s a real struggle getting a skinsuit down and up again. I did a full change at IM Florida last year because I’d had trouble in prior IMs with multiple portaloo stops, then I subsequently fixed the toilet issue so I’ve gone back to running in a normal trisuit.
Lionel did a full change (for the same reason) in St George IMWC last year and ran his way to 2nd