I am sure this has been asked before but I haven’t been too successful in finding the answers I am looking for using the search mode. I ran in regular looser fitting shorts during IMFL 2005. Aside from the time savings of not having to switch out shorts at T2, any other advantages of running in tighter fitting tri-shorts. I’d be interested in hearing why people like loose and why people like the tighter shorts. Thanks in advance.
I am sure this has been asked before but I haven’t been too successful in finding the answers I am looking for using the search mode. I ran in regular looser fitting shorts during IMFL 2005. Aside from the time savings of not having to switch out shorts at T2, any other advantages of running in tighter fitting tri-shorts. I’d be interested in hearing why people like loose and why people like the tighter shorts. Thanks in advance.
For IM, bike shorts over bike short liner (acts as underwear as well). At t2, bike shorts come off, run shorts come on. Worth the 15 seconds for the comfort esp if it’s raining like in Placid this past year.
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I think this partially depends on your race goals. If your goal is simply to finish, wear whatever is most comfortable for you. If that means spending a little extra time in T2, no big deal. That being said, I like the compression effect from running in tri shorts and the lack of chaffing from running shorts, so I’ve taken the time in all of my IM’s to change from bike shorts to tri shorts. If you have a tight time goal or are trying to qualify for Kona, I say work on getting your backside ready to ride the whole 112 in tri shorts or a tri suit. This is my plan for my next IM. Good luck!
Very good response. I would like to add that tri shorts also allow you to put gel wrappers in them until you get to a trash can.
Always using my DeSoto one-piece suit the entire race. Before I got this, I used DeSoto tri shorts the entire race.
It’s simply the short/suit that fits me best, both for bike and run. Are also using the tri shorts for “pure” marathons.
If you are not concerned with the extra seconds changing - use whatever fits you best.
I wear tri shorts for a half, but I spend the extra 15 seconds in transition to change into normal running shorts. I found that I run faster in regular shorts than in tri shorts and tend to not cramp up as much in regular shorts. This whole “compression shorts reduce muscle bounce” is BS in my experience. My legs always tighten up quicker when running in tri shorts. That said, I race 50 milers in semi-loose fitting tri shorts…chafing reduction is a big bonus in that case. Pluses and minuses in both options.
I use trishorts for the whole race. I swim with them under my wetsuit, bike with them and run with them. They are designed to be comfortable for all events and you don’t have to deal with changing anything in transition. The only time I have had problems with this in 15 years of racing was one race where I had a pair that were a couple inches too short and the edges of the short would chafe the medial part of my opposite thigh.
Long tri shorts for me. Run shorts or short tri shorts lead to thigh chafing. I use tri shorts for my long runs as well.
I use trishorts for the whole race. I swim with them under my wetsuit, bike with them and run with them. They are designed to be comfortable for all events and you don’t have to deal with changing anything in transition.
+1 Tri Shorts from start to finish - all distances. No costume changes…
+1 more for tri shorts start to finish
In fact, wear tri shorts for all training except pool swimming.
jaretj
I agree that unless you are in danger of being on the podium, take a few seconds to wear whichever you prefer. You’ll probably make up the time running anyways by being happy. Myself, I prefer to run in tri shorts than regular shorts, so I even wear them for most training runs. So one pair of tri shorts for entire IM. For you… do what makes you happy, after all, you’re doing a freakin’ IM - enjoy it.
- one more.
I love my tri shorts because I can cram all kinds of stuff in the pockets. I find that really useful and I’m comfortable in my tri shorts. The length also prevents any chafing.
I run in what ever is comfortable for 4 hours. The 15 seconds it takes me to put on running shorts is worth the added comfort. If it is hot, tri shorts can be less cooling than running shorts.
For IM Lou last year, I contemplated the same question (after using tri shorts for the run at my previous IMs).
Why?
Wet.
Last year, the heat was a factor (at least during training). When using tri shorts, the sweat and or the water you toss on your head runs straight down your leg into your shoe/sock. With a “good” pair of split running shorts, the wetness seems to either evaporate or get flung off while running.
I tested it in training…and that seemed to be the case.
But, I wore tri shorts (Oomph) anyway and never dumped water on my head.
Compression running shorts under bibs with a healthy dollop of chamois cream in both T1 and T2 got me through without even a tiny bit of chaffage. Bibs came off in T2…took less than 5 seconds.
I have been thinking about this too since I have IMFL coming up. I’ve done 4 ironmans. Well completed 3 and I almost died in the last one, but I’ve always worn tri shorts for swim, bike, and run. But, as I am doing my long runs in training now sometimes I wear tri shorts and sometimes regular shorts. I like regular short running shorts better. So I’ve been thinking about wearing run shorts for the run because it is more comfortable for me.
So then I think do I wear tri shorts or cycling shorts on bike? Then I thought about what happens when I pee on the bike. The tri shorts dry fast, but will I get chaffed if I pee in cycling shorts because of the chamois and material?
I think I know the answer to this, but if we take shorts off after bike and put on run shorts can we just do it right there or do we have to go behind a change tent? Don’t want to get a penalty for showing the bulge.
I’m wondering about the bike short/tri short issue, too. I know I’ll be fine in tri shorts on the run, but will I wish for the extra padding of bike shorts during the last thirty miles of the bike? I’ve been tempted to to wear tri shorts in a century as an experiment, but I’ve always chosen comfort. I don’t usually have a problem with chafing, but I get sore after hours on the bike. Thoughts about extra padding, anybody?
When I started in the sport, I had some saddle issues that had me wearing bike shorts on the bike for longer races, and I’d have tri shorts UNDER them, so I’d just whip off the bike shorts in T2 and run in the tri shorts. Since, I’ve rectified the saddle issues and do the entire IM in tri shorts. I can’t go more than about 10 miles in the running shorts I have without inner thigh chaffing. Tri shorts completely resolve that problem for me on long runs.