I plan on doing the Rhode Island 70.3. What is most recommended as far as clothing? Wetsuit? Trisuit? Shorts for the swim and throw on a top at T1?
Keep in mind that I do not plan on buying a wetsuit and if I did use one for racing, I would rent and probably have a hard time taking it off. Would also prefer to stay cheap, but can be swayed for noticeable advantage.
I did this race last year. I would recommend a sleeveless wetsuit with your favorite racing apparel under it. I prefer two-piece racing suits, so I just wore it under the wetsuit. If you prefer a one-piece tri suit, go with that. The idea of putting a top on while soaking wet seems like more trouble than it’s worth. The race has volunteer wetsuit strippers, so the wetsuits come off fast and easy.
See if you can pick up a sleeveless wetsuit in the classified sections. You will enjoy one of your best swims ever with that course!
RI HIM was my first 70.3 race. The swim was awesome, as was the point to point bike coarse…lots of fun. I wore a full wetsuit that day and was very comfortable in it. I forget the water temps, but I never got over heated. I really like the wetsuit strippers, they made that task super easy!!!
My first ever tri I rented a wetsuit from wetsuit rentals I think they charge $40.00 for the rental and offer up the suit for sale after your race. They discount the cost of the rental and then give you a sweet deal on top of that. If you deside not to buy it you just send it back with in a couple weeks and you’re only out the rental and the return shipping (about $9.00). It’s a great way to see if you like Orca suit (what they rented me). FYI: the suit I rented was brand new.
Be sure to rent the suit for the weekend before your race weekend. They ship out suits on Wednesday (overnight delivery) before your race weekend. If you say your race is a week earlier you get to use the suit the week before the race, that way you have a week to get used to it. You just need to make sure you get it back in the mail quickly when your race is done. BTW: Kristina at Wetsuit Rentals gave me that tip…they are great people to deal with.
Another tip: Make sure you get a time slot for bike drop off early Saturday morning; the earlier the better (I was one of the first there). By noon the traffic head into Narraganseet was crazy, it took a friend of my almost 4 hours to get his bike dropped off at T1.