After having every kind of skin cancer possible I’m looking for some more recommendations for sun protection. Also why is it impossible to find a long sleeve race kit/training top for women? I have purchased pearl izumi shrugs and just ordered some cooling sleeves to see how those work, but with all of us out in the sun everyday what is the best way to protect ourselves? Please help me find some more options. Also, has anyone ever swam in arm coolers? are they race legal? I know they are illegal in ironman races that are not wet suit legal but I can’t find any info on USAT if you can wear material past your shoulders for non wetsuit legal races? WHY DOES NO ONE MAKE LONG SLEEVE TRI-KITS?
After having every kind of skin cancer possible I’m looking for some more recommendations for sun protection. Also why is it impossible to find a long sleeve race kit/training top for women? I have purchased pearl izumi shrugs and just ordered some cooling sleeves to see how those work, but with all of us out in the sun everyday what is the best way to protect ourselves? Please help me find some more options. Also, has anyone ever swam in arm coolers? are they race legal? I know they are illegal in ironman races that are not wet suit legal but I can’t find any info on USAT if you can wear material past your shoulders for non wetsuit legal races? WHY DOES NO ONE MAKE LONG SLEEVE TRI-KITS?
desoto cool wings?
Sunscreen.
didn’t think of that. thank you so much
try european sunscreens, a lot of the ones sold in Canada and the USA are banned in the EU because the are carcinogens.
DeSoto SDS cooling jacket is awesome, long sleeves and pockets for ice in the back. You can wear it under a regular tri suit.
I agree. I had melanoma and get paranoid about sun exposure. Not sure if the other responders realize that sunscreen requires reapplication at least every 2 hrs… kind of hard for long course races and long rides/runs. I wish there were more options.
I just started using the cooling sleeve and like them so far. Not sure how well they will work on the run though. I’ll probably spend the extra minute or so and put them on in transition rather than under my wetsuit. They will probably come off with the wetsuit and/or bunch up as I am putting the wetsuit on.
It certainly depends on the sunscreen, but I would regularly do long rides beneath the Australian hole in the ozone layer with no sunburn, using only some good quality 'screen.
Just as an aside, if sunscreen were invented yesterday as a means to get sun protection without having to wear extra clothes in hot climates, there would be someone on here announcing it as the best thing to hit triathlon since the energy gel.
I’ve been using these golf sleeves, they don’t move around as much as the cycling specific ones I have bought. I’ve used them on runs as well and they are comfortable and don’t sag or move around. And they are $15, which means nobody will take my advice and buy them because something that costs 1/3 to 1/2 the price as the name brand tri gear couldn’t possibly be as good or better.
http://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Golf-Protection-Cooler-Sleeve-1/dp/B009IKV82C
There’s a good chance I’m wrong, but I thought arm coverings in non-wetsuit races are only banned for the swim, I thought it was still OK to have arms covered for the bike and run. Again I might be wrong but it might be worth double checking the rules. Covering your skin is more effective sun protection than sunscreen especially in longer races so definitely cover up if you can. I’ve had a number of BCCs removed from my back so I now do my swim training in a tri suit if iI’m in the sun to cover my back properly.
Come to think of it, if you’ve had skin cancers removed, you could perhaps get some sort of TUE that would allow you to use covered sleeves for the whole race?
Might be worth a try. Best of luck.
I agree. I had melanoma and get paranoid about sun exposure. Not sure if the other responders realize that sunscreen requires reapplication at least every 2 hrs… kind of hard for long course races and long rides/runs.
Not picking on you specifically, but several people on this thread have had melanoma or other cancers, or are paranoid about getting cancer…but choose to participate in long course tris that cause you to be in the sun for hours, at the hottest, worst time of the day.
Maybe, since your health is on the line, possibly consider a switch to short course triathlon to limit sun exposure? As an added benefit you could actually maybe compete vs finish, and as a bonus have time to see your family?
I train and race in hot Australian conditions. I wear arm coolers in training, if it is really hot I will wear the horrible looking leg coolers also. I wear the De Soto long sleeve skin cooler on the bike and run for IM.
I put a layer of sun screen on my face and neck and apply sun block zinc on top of the sun screen. I stop every 3 hours and reapply sunscreen, I am not at the pointy end of the field so a minute to apply sunscreen does not matter.
Always were a hat and sun glasses.
If it is going to be a hot day I try to start my long rides early.
Well…I am paranoid, but it makes me play it safe. I’m well protected in my training. The bulk of my biking is indoors on my trainer. I’ll split my long rides between inside and outside if the sun will be out. I run almost exclusively in well shaded trails and reapply sunblock as needed.
I strongly disagree with your logic. A better solution would just do indoor tri’s then. I’ll still have sun exposure with short course. If I just did short course, I would probably be training a lot anyways if I wanted to “compete” (FYI I compete in long course too and not just plan on just finishing as you suggested. Also, I am single so I don’t need extra time to see my family). It would possibly be with more sun exposure as I would be doing a significant amount of track workouts. If I am outside and unprotected, I would be at risk.
I have a castelli body paint bike shirt that I washed with “sun guard” to add additional SPF. It might be better to find something that is similar- but perhaps a bit thicker. I find I can wear that plus a sports bra under my wetsuit without any difficulty. I can’t imagine why it would not be legal. I don’t know how girls go out all day without their shoulders covered. I would be completely fried no matter which sunscreen I used.
I agree. I had melanoma and get paranoid about sun exposure. Not sure if the other responders realize that sunscreen requires reapplication at least every 2 hrs… kind of hard for long course races and long rides/runs.
Not picking on you specifically, but several people on this thread have had melanoma or other cancers, or are paranoid about getting cancer…but choose to participate in long course tris that cause you to be in the sun for hours, at the hottest, worst time of the day.
Maybe, since your health is on the line, possibly consider a switch to short course triathlon to limit sun exposure? As an added benefit you could actually maybe compete vs finish, and as a bonus have time to see your family?
Even in a post about sunscreen we see this same tired screed. I compete at Ironman (10 hours), I actively incorporate my family in my training,my wife and kids (8-9) love 35km bike rides at 4:30/km and we’ve had some of the best chats as we enjoy the outdoors. We all swim…bike rides…yeah they are not up to speed yet…but in a few years they will be kicking my butt! For us, ironman training is a family way of life…and I’m so happy that we all enjoy training, travelling and racing as a family. Endofempire…i’m not critiquing your post or sentiments specifically, and I know you are right about some people…but I feel strongly that we can have happy, healthy lives and still kick some a$$ over 226km.
Training…appropriate clothing and shifting your training times or location (indoor swim) to avoid sun exposure works wonders to mitigate, not eliminate risk.
Race day, you have to be smart and proactive about sun protection.
Arm sleeves are certainly legal for wetsuit races and can EASILY and COMFORTABLY be worn under a wet suit. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
If it is non wetsuit legal swim, arm covers are illegal too in Ironman. In T1, just get the arm sleeves over your wrists/watch if you wear one, and pull them up the remainder of the way once you are on the bike. Not likely to change your race result.
Better still, new tri suits such as the LG M-2 Course have sleeves and SPF 50 sun protection. Sleeves and arm warmers…almost total body coverage.
Aero helmet (covers the back of my neck and ears (major issue for skin cancer) and I’m in pretty good shape. For your calves…sunscreen. The sleeves are awesome for sun protection as I cannot reach all of the exposed skin on my back wear I wear a tri tank.
On the run, the arm sleeves I wear (Zoot) are SUPER comfortable…throw on some ice water at the aid stations and you are golden. My neck doesn’t burn, but many hats can work. Raced in 35 degrees C with the sleeves on.
As for re-applying sunscreen…it’s not that hard at all on the run…I just carry a small bottle in my back pocket. I apply a lot as I’m aware of the problems of applying sunscreen on sweaty/coke covered skin, but with the new sleeved tri suit I will be wearing in future races…not much exposed skin to worry about…fast, comfortable, and sun smart.
Last but not least, as a blonde hair blue eyed person living and training in a semi-tropical country, all the protection you can think of is only part of the battle. Every year, I visit my dermatologist who biopsies anything that looks suspicious. Catch skin cancer early and your odds are good.
So…sun protection is not incompatible with long course…go out and have fun!
I too have had a lot of skin cancers. I started using SPF 70 sunscreen this year and have noticed that I am several shades paler than I was using even SPF 50 sunscreen. I use a spray on that is really easy to apply and reapply as needed (you can find pocket size bottles). I see my dermatologist every six months and have managed to stay on top of anything new long before it becomes a problem. I also started taking vitamin B3 which has proven to reduce your risk of developing new skin cancers in people who are at high risk and it has seemed to help - another body scan in 6 months will help me know for sure.
Just a reminder if you wear thin sleeves, also use a physical sunscreen underneath them, because they don’t block out UVA very well, if at all. Zinc / titanium dioxide or avobenzone for that.
UnderArmour HeatGear compression longsleeve. It’s cheap (~$40), super thin and comfortable, and UPF 50+.
It’s my go to for 70.3s so I don’t get “angel wings” on the bike.
https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/womens-ua-heatgear-armour-printed-long-sleeve/pid1263901-010
I use De Soto Cool Wings for every bike and run session that is outside. I also apply sunscreen before I put them on. As some people have mentioned an aero helmet will provide a fair amount of protection. For race day I carry a small can of the dreaded spray-on sunscreen. It can easily be applied while riding and then slipped back into your jersey pocket. For the run I always wear a Columbia Coolhead Cachalot Hat. I put two little snaps on the neck shad and the De Soto Cool Wings that I can snap together to hold it down and protect my neck and ears. Even without the snaps it works extremely well. The best part is you can douse it with water at aid stations and it keeps you much cooler.