So I am new to the triathlon world. I am a fairly younger guy (29), and am going to have my first race in a few weeks. All indicators are showing that I’m going to be pretty damn competitive in the Tri at least in the local/regional level(22 minutes for a 1500 meter swim, can run 18:30 5k off of a 2 hour bike ride, and my 40k TT speed average was 26.8 mph and didn’t red-line). Still learning about the details however.
I am on the hairier side. I have really thick leg hair, usually have a full beard, and have started to get noticeable hair on the back. Since I’m young, I’m not looking forward shaving now, if it means my hair is even going to get thicker years down the road. Anything out there that makes hair grow back thinner?
So I am new to the triathlon world. I am a fairly younger guy (29), and am going to have my first race in a few weeks. All indicators are showing that I’m going to be pretty damn competitive in the Tri at least in the local/regional level(22 minutes for a 1500 meter swim, can run 18:30 5k off of a 2 hour bike ride, and my 40k TT speed average was 26.8 mph and didn’t red-line). Still learning about the details however.
I am on the hairier side. I have really thick leg hair, usually have a full beard, and have started to get noticeable hair on the back. Since I’m young, I’m not looking forward shaving now, if it means my hair is even going to get thicker years down the road. Anything out there that makes hair grow back thinner?
Another fellow hairy beast here. I don’t care about shaving my hair. It keeps me warm and helps aid with cooling.
As with what everyone else said, shaving won’t make it grow back thicker. Depending on how hairy you are, another option is nair hair removal, just don’t leave it on too long. Finally, you could wax it. It’s really not as bad as 40 year old virgin makes it sound. I’ve done it a few times.
don’t shave until your sure of an exact goal and that shaving will help you. what you don’t hear about is the horror stories of shaving near the private areas. otherwise your just going to fill the look. and anyways, whats wrong with hair? it aint going to change your times. your more then likely going to use a wetsuit…after that, hair doesn’t mean shit. I usually do shave before xterras because I always crash. its easier to clean the cuts & rash but not on non-draft tri’s.
One poster said that his hair has a cooling effect, but I have found the opposite. I cool much better on hot days when I’m shaven. It allows the sweat to run off or evaporate more quickly than when the hair traps it. And if you’re in pool swims, you definitely want to shave. It takes a while, though. Particularly the first time. So get ready!
When I was shaven/waxed, I found even the slightest breeze would make me freeze. Not just get cold, but freeze. I would actually put a base layer shirt on to keep warm while out riding.
Shaved for the first time prior to last weekend’s race – something I’ve always resisted. Since one of my previous names was sweaterlegs the pile of hair was pretty big. Had to go beard trimmer to knock it down first, then razor.
Only differences I noted:
The application of sunscreen seems a little easier.
The prior-day’s ART/massage seemed better, and probably saved the therapist a layer of skin on their hands.
It seems like my wetsuit went on/off a bit easier.
I swear I think it is cooler. The day afterward, my legs felt chilly.
The new definition in my quads sucked the spirit out of people I was passing, and transferred them directly to my legs. So that was nice.
XTERRA Curt Goudy it is. It’ll be a bit of a trial by fire as that will be my first triathlon I have ever trained for. As long as the MTB decents are not too technical, I’ll be fine. Are you racing this year?
It’s not the technical descents (maybe one or two tricky parts) but some of the uphills are very expert level. I’m not doing it again this year. It was really fun but I have PTSD from that race. Like I said, it was more mentally tough for me to complete that race than my Ironman (CDA).
Also, where do you live? I’m racing mainly in Colorado- Boulder peak, Boulder Sprint, etc.
Do NOT shave your chest/stomach unless you absolutely have to. It all grows back at different rates and I itched for weeks! I do shave my legs in season, tho.
Woa Woa WOA. Are you kidding me? As a dude that would kill to be able to grow a legit beard, I can tell you the only thing worse than getting smoked in a race, is getting smoked by sasquatch who has a small shrub growing from his chin.
Screw shaving. HTFU and make the rest of us fear you because we’re trying to catch a yeti.
Woa Woa WOA. Are you kidding me? As a dude that would kill to be able to grow a legit beard, I can tell you the only thing worse than getting smoked in a race, is getting smoked by sasquatch who has a small shrub growing from his chin.
Screw shaving. HTFU and make the rest of us fear you because we’re trying to catch a yeti.
+1
First off, shaving does nothing for you except look like a little boy.
Haha I just wrote about this topic… I myself am on the fence. In our modern society, it’s rare to come across a hairy female these days. Such is also the case with a species known as the male triathlete. Triathlete or not, does shaving one’s legs constitute a Man Card violation in any way??
Maeby (touching George Michael’s leg): “your legs are seriously smoother than mine… and I just shaved mine!”
George Michael Bluth (after an awkward pause): “so I’m thinkin’ bout getting a motorcycle.”
Woa Woa WOA. Are you kidding me? As a dude that would kill to be able to grow a legit beard, I can tell you the only thing worse than getting smoked in a race, is getting smoked by sasquatch who has a small shrub growing from his chin.
Screw shaving. HTFU and make the rest of us fear you because we’re trying to catch a yeti.
I’m in agreement. I’ve got a full beard and hairy legs. After a couple summers of shaving virtually my whole body, it’s much easier just not to worry about it.
The worst part is waking up in a cold hotel room at 5 a.m. and having the prickly goosebumps all over. The second-worst part is the inevitable razor bumps on your upper thighs because you couldn’t decide where to stop shaving and let clippers do the work. The third-worst part is the exact moment you shave and realize that your legs aren’t actually tan – that it was just the hair – and you think, “Good Lord, what have I done?”