I always race in a sleeved 1 piece De Soto tri suit for Olympic and 70.3. I’m doing my first full IM in a few years and thinking of going 2 piece. Every time Ive done a full IM, I’ve had to dump in T2. Getting the one piece off is a nightmare in a stinky portopoty. Ive been training in the two piece and it’s slightly less comfortable to have the waistband and I have a little more fabric wrinkling across my shoulders. But I’m wondering if the time loss would be off set by the ease of dumping if necessary (and experience suggests is likely).
I’m also thinking, if I race in a two piece, perhaps I could switch into a clean/fresh pair of running shorts. I don’t mind running in the tri shorts since the thin De Soto chamois really does disappear (up to 70.3 at least), but I’m thinking why risk chafing for a marathon. Thoughts?
I personally would not want to be in a full suit for the duration of a full ironman. I don’t think there are any negatives for wearing a 2 piece.
Like you said, easy off to dump or piss, quicker for a change if you desire for running shorts, or a fresh new pair. I like the comfort of having more flexibility in a 2 piece vs 1 any day of the week.
Others might be able to wear a 1 piece without issues, but not me. And, it sounds like you would benefit as well.
I always race in a sleeved 1 piece De Soto tri suit for Olympic and 70.3. I’m doing my first full IM in a few years and thinking of going 2 piece. Every time Ive done a full IM, I’ve had to dump in T2. Getting the one piece off is a nightmare in a stinky portopoty. Ive been training in the two piece and it’s slightly less comfortable to have the waistband and I have a little more fabric wrinkling across my shoulders. But I’m wondering if the time loss would be off set by the ease of dumping if necessary (and experience suggests is likely).
I’m also thinking, if I race in a two piece, perhaps I could switch into a clean/fresh pair of running shorts. I don’t mind running in the tri shorts since the thin De Soto chamois really does disappear (up to 70.3 at least), but I’m thinking why risk chafing for a marathon. Thoughts?
With you on this. 2 piece gives you more
options in a longer race.
Bring back the mankini!
It’s only gone out of fashion because of the vocal majority of chubby Triathletes who couldn’t wear one.
One tweener option is the Castelli Free two piece. The shorts and jersey have two velcro-esque attachments in the back to keep the jersey from riding up, and the shorts from having to be cinched up to avoid riding down.
I really wish De Soto (or someone) would make a “slant cut” tri short that was similar to the De Soto low cut in the front, sat on the hips, but was a bit taller in the back to avoid a “tramp stamp gap” in the back when on the bike.
The low cuts are great (speedo height) because they sit at the hip and don’t restrict breathing or create a muffin top. I race in the Castelli shorts for LD, and fold the front over to roughly simulate this, but it would be much better if it was the actual cut.
I start in one-piece for the swim and bike. I still even keep the top down under a wetsuit and pull it up on the run to T1. In my T2 bag, I put a pair of tri shorts and a top. If the day is going well, I stay in the one-piece. If it’s not, a change of clothes feels like a fresh start. If I’m at that point of misery, the extra minute to change isn’t a factor and may even be a benefit.
This is all assuming a change tent…at Tulsa this year, I planned to stay one-piece all day. Changing in a T2 portajohn sounded gross and requiring more agility than I likely possess after 6+ hours of swim/bike. I missed the fact that they added a tent at the end of the parking lot.
First off, if you have to “take a dump” I suggest you reevaluate your previous day’s meals. That should be out of your system by the time the gun goes off. The day before should be easily “dumped” foods, liquids, etc.
I am of the opinion that frequently nutrition mistakes take the blame when people don’t even think of the constriction of a tight drawstring during 5+ hours on the bike. Even extremely thin individuals (think Tour riders) are shown in aero, the gut is expanded. Why contract that? (No drawstrings in the Tour riders for ANY rides). The very mention of the time wasted having to drop a one piece is comical as you’re already wasting time sitting in a port potty. Taking a one piece down in a port potty is easier than fumbling with a drawstring that seems to get a knot at the wrong time every time. One piece is far more comfortable and far less chafing. Do what you will, but think it through a bit more and experiment on long workouts. Good luck.
First off, if you have to “take a dump” I suggest you reevaluate your previous day’s meals. That should be out of your system by the time the gun goes off. The day before should be easily “dumped” foods, liquids, etc.
quote]
My first several LC races I had GI issues half way through the run. I reevaluated my nutrition strategies and switched to an all liquid race day fueling strategy. I have not had an issue since.
I also used to be a two-piece guy but I have completely switched to one-piece for racing. Just so much more comfortable and less chafing. I can’t imagine ever going back.
First off, if you have to “take a dump” I suggest you reevaluate your previous day’s meals. That should be out of your system by the time the gun goes off. The day before should be easily “dumped” foods, liquids, etc.
quote]
My first several LC races I had GI issues half way through the run. I reevaluated my nutrition strategies and switched to an all liquid race day fueling strategy. I have not had an issue since.
I also used to be a two-piece guy but I have completely switched to one-piece for racing. Just so much more comfortable and less chafing. I can’t imagine ever going back.
Thanks and good to hear your experience Jason. I also changed day before meals to get nutrition without bulk and that has made race day light and clean. One piece just makes so much sense.
First off, if you have to “take a dump” I suggest you reevaluate your previous day’s meals. That should be out of your system by the time the gun goes off. The day before should be easily “dumped” foods, liquids, etc.
Not just previous days meals, but also the morning of and your race day nutrition. If you are having to go #2 during the race, your body isn’t absorbing the nutrition you are giving it. That’s a problem. Assuming you are racing and not just trying to finish, the goal should be to never have to stop for a bathroom break. Look at the top pro’s and amateurs… they aren’t stopping in the porta potty. Test your fueling in training on long rides with a decent run after (including the day before nutrition and morning of).
I’m also thinking, if I race in a two piece, perhaps I could switch into a clean/fresh pair of running shorts.
In that case you start in your one-piece and change for the run in a two-piece. All problems solved (mind that it is often said that you loose time biking in a two piece).
I’ve experimented a lot with race week/morning nutrition. High fiber. Low fiber. Makes no difference. I think it might actually have more to do with swallowing some ocean/lake water because by about 1pm on race day I’m taking a watery dump (whether I’m back in my hotel after a 70.3 or racking my bike in a full IM).
One thing I haven’t tried except for when I once had diarrhea the night before a gran Fondo, was taking a dose of Imodium before the start. I just worry if/who it might effect the body more generally (nutrient/electrolyte transport, etc).
\I don’t think there are any negatives for wearing a 2 piece.
Sunburn!
5-6 hours bent over on the exposing a gap between the top and tri shorts is a recipe for a nasty sunburn.
That is a very nasty place to burn and very hard area to apply sunscreen.
Beyond the sunburn similar to why people wear bibshorts the less elastic around the waist the less chance for GI distress.
From my IMs x5 I pee only at mile 1 of the run. It is easy to unzip, lean over slightly, pull it out and pee. I’ve never had to poop during IM.
I believe all 5 finishes were in DeSoto Forza trisuits.
Didn’t think of that. But you could get a 2 piece bib set from DeSoto. They also make a trisuit that has a magnetic fly (it might be a new release this year). No need to unzip.
\I don’t think there are any negatives for wearing a 2 piece.
Sunburn!
5-6 hours bent over on the exposing a gap between the top and tri shorts is a recipe for a nasty sunburn.
That is a very nasty place to burn and very hard area to apply sunscreen.
Beyond the sunburn similar to why people wear bibshorts the less elastic around the waist the less chance for GI distress.
From my IMs x5 I pee only at mile 1 of the run. It is easy to unzip, lean over slightly, pull it out and pee. I’ve never had to poop during IM.
I believe all 5 finishes were in DeSoto Forza trisuits.
Didn’t think of that. But you could get a 2 piece bib set from DeSoto. They also make a trisuit that has a magnetic fly (it might be a new release this year). No need to unzip.
Bib and top would involve 2 layers of fabric which could be too warm at a hot weather IM, but it would protect against sunburn and relieve the waist elastic. You still have the peeing issues similar to a 1-piece.
\I don’t think there are any negatives for wearing a 2 piece.
Sunburn!
5-6 hours bent over on the exposing a gap between the top and tri shorts is a recipe for a nasty sunburn.
That is a very nasty place to burn and very hard area to apply sunscreen.
Beyond the sunburn similar to why people wear bibshorts the less elastic around the waist the less chance for GI distress.
From my IMs x5 I pee only at mile 1 of the run. It is easy to unzip, lean over slightly, pull it out and pee. I’ve never had to poop during IM.
I believe all 5 finishes were in DeSoto Forza trisuits.
Didn’t think of that. But you could get a 2 piece bib set from DeSoto. They also make a trisuit that has a magnetic fly (it might be a new release this year). No need to unzip.
Bib and top would involve 2 layers of fabric which could be too warm at a hot weather IM, but it would protect against sunburn and relieve the waist elastic. You still have the peeing issues similar to a 1-piece.
Most of the good one piece, Kiwami, Castelli, etc have a front that allows for one to pee very easily. Gimmicks like the previously shown Castelli “velcro” (which I have one of) and magnets are just looking for a problem to happen. My Castelli Velcro type is pretty impossible to attach and stay closed, can chafe and really don’t do the job as well as a one piece. Making sure you go into the race calorically loaded and empty in the gut will make your race so much easier. I even use Ensure and the like to get all the nutrients without bulk I’d need to lose before the start. Find your perfect mix and then you can concentrate at the job at hand.
Yeah, my DeSoto suits are the FlySuits so pissing is easy though not as easy to piss while riding using the dog leg method. Dumping not so much.
Do people who run in tri bottoms find the chamois chafes? I’ve never really had an issue for 70.3. Or would you rather wear a fresh pair of running short shorts.
