I’ve never completed a 112 mile bike and then turned around and ran a Marathon before.
I was wondering, should I go to T2, and take off my tri-shorts I biked in and put on a dry pair of tri-shorts (probably re-apply bodyglide blush) and then head out?
Also, is there a seperate Girls and Boys area in the transition area? If public nudity isn’t allowed, how do you change? Just do the old chick from the movie “Point Break” deal, wrap a towel around you, and change that way?
I know I’ll switch into a comfy shirt for running, but was curious about the shorts. I figured getting out of something soaked for a bit might help.
Two different changing rooms - one for girls and one for boys. You pick up your bag of clothes on the way into the changing room. I wore real bike shorts to ride in and changed into tri shorts for the run. You can get as naked as you want in the changing room. THere are lots of nice volunteers inside who will help you change if you want them to, help you put your stuff back into your bag etc.
I have tried changing into new shorts after the bike, but for the last few Ironmans I’ve done, I’ve gone with the same clothes for the entire race.
I recommend tri shorts and a tight top with pockets for gel/food. Have the gel/food in your T1 bag and put it in your shirt pockets for the bike. To me, it’s really hard to put on another pair of spandex shorts when you’re wet (either from the swim or sweaty from the bike) and ever get them straight. Nasty chafing can occur QUICKLY if your shorts are crooked. If you’re going to change into different shorts for running, don’t put yourself through the pain of wearing tri shorts on the bike…go for regular bike shorts. I know some people don’t change just because of the time it takes. I’m not so fast as to make that claim, however, if I ever let my body slow down (ie, long transition), I can’t get my legs to move again for a long time. Think about that before you throw an extra 2-3 minutes into your transition time from long, long bike to long, long run.
Practice it at home. After a ride, take off your bike shorts, smear on body glide, and put on a pair of fresh running shorts. How long did that take? Can’t take more than 20 seconds.
I’m wearing bike shorts for ride and run shorts for run at GFT. I’m going to be comfortable as I’m running for a long time.
Also remember that there will be vaseline at the aid stations during the run.
Do you do your long rides in bike shorts or tri shorts with minimal padding? Haven;t you been doing long rides followed by a 10K?
But good god do not try something new on race day. Nothing new. Not one thing new. Not even a little thing that really could not possibly matter. NOT A DAMNED THING. Not different shorts, shirt, socks, swimsuit, googles, watch, hat NOTHING.
Also remember that there will be vaseline at the aid stations during the run.
DO NOT trust this to be true. I thought the same thing, having had no problems at the GFT the year before and numerous other races. However, last year at IMFL I didn’t find vaseline until mile 4 or 5, by which time I already had a nice painful thigh chafe going. Stick a bit in your T2 bag and be happppyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Last year I wore a 1 piece sleeveless tri suit then put on a pair of padded cycling shorts and a ss jersey over for the bike as the air temp was a bit cool for the start of the bike. Peeled off the shorts and jersey after the bike and was good to go for the run.
Monk, the schedule I followed from BeginnerTriathlete.com had me only doing maybe a 20min/30min run at max after my long rides. Heck, that schedule only had me doing up to a 6hr ride. I’m glad I listened to the local triathletes who told me to get in as many Centuries as I could. (I managed to get 5 in!)
I have been doing all of my 100/90/80/70 (and so forth) mile bike rides in LG tri-shorts. They have a thin “pad” in them, but it ain’t much.
I think my arse is used to taking abuse at this point. All you people with your talk of cushy bike shorts, I scoff! jk
So, yeah, I guess I should just stick with the tri-shorts I’ve been wearing even though the damned things are almost worn out. (they were new 2 months ago!!!) I was thinking about getting another pair of tri-shorts and wearing them for every single workout from now until the race. That would be about 20 days of training, so they wouldn’t be “new”.
Also, this talk of vasoline? Wow, Bodyglide > *
Heh, Vasoline will RUIN your clothes. Nothing like a big old petrol stain on your shirt where your nipples are. heh.
I am half-way thinking of just changing into another pair of tri-shorts. I can’t wear regular running shorts as my thighs still seem to rub together.
Thanks again gang for the help and ideas!
rawk on!
Trae
I’m planning to wear tri shorts for the entire IMFL, but will slide on bike shorts over them in T1, & hopefully remember to ditch 'em in T2. I’ll most likely be the guy leaving T2 wearing a swim cap & bike shorts, shouldn’t be too hard to spot me
Make sure you try that strategy—bike shorts over tri shorts—on a long ride in training (still time for one more good one)…I did that exact thing in Kona in 2001 and regretted it like crazy…talk about hot spots down there!
More padding does not always equate to more comfort. But to paraphrase Monk, “do not do anything on race day you’ve not done in training”…you will regret it if you deviate!
Nothing like a big old petrol stain on your shirt where your nipples are. heh.