I’m doing a race this weekend and the forecast is calling for temps in the low to mid 40s. Water temps should be reasonable I think. I only have a sleeveless wetsuit and I’m a little worried. I will probably wear my neoprene cap but are there any other tips for keeping arms warm…anybody just goop vaseline on to their arms?
When you say “reasonable” water temps, what do you mean? I did a race this spring with water temps in the mid 60’s and air temp in mid/upper 40’s, in a sleeveless suit and no neoprene cap. It took a little getting used to the water temp, but it wasn’t too bad. Just make sure you get in the water before the race starts, slowly get used to the water and then get some warm up strokes in. If you don’t, you might have the hyperventilating problem at the start. In any event, a minute or so into the swim you’ll be fine. My race was only a sprint though, so if you are doing something much longer, I’m not sure what to tell you.
One thing to keep in mind is to try and dry off in T1, and maybe wear socks on the bike. Even if you do, be prepared for numb feet, which makes the first mile or so of the run a little interesting.
Thanks for your suggestions. The avg. water temp for this time of year is around 70F I think but I’m not sure what the actual temperature is. I will be VERY sure to dry off completely before getting on the bike.
Having set myself up for one of the worst days in my life by swimming in cold water in a sleeveless wetsuit (coupled with being a weak swimmer), I would say that if the water isn’t cold, it shouldn’t be a problem, as long as, as the other poster said and you acknowledged, you dry off, and dress appropriately on the bike. Remember that “dressing appropriately on the bike” should take into account the windchill/real feel of doing 20MPH or whatever you do, plus whatever the actual wind is doing to you. Layering with something on top you don’t mind tossing in the event that you misjudged might be something to think about, particularly if it is a long bike, and the temperature will be increasing, too. Better to be a bit warmer and be able to toss than the other way around.
P.S. I went sleeveless because I would have been fighting claustrophobia in sleeves, and it hadn’t seemed that bad in the practice the day before-but the longer I was in the water, the more the hypothermia set in, resulting in me being in the water even longer-- vicious cycle. In retrospect, I am still sure I would have gotten clasutrophobic and had to drop out–it was an open water start, IM distance, and I got a black eye right out of the box. FWIW, that was eighteen months ago, and I have not been in anything larger than a bathtub since-literally have not swum (swammed?) a stroke.
Depending on the water temperature, you’ll want to make sure your head is properly covered. The worst part about swimming in cold-ish water is the tremendous ice cream headache that can come from it. Wear two swim caps if the water seems pretty cold.
If the air is cold, one thing you might want to do is come up with some plan on how to keep warm BEFORE you get in the water. Most triathletes don’t have to worry about this since they are toasty warm in their full wetsuits before the race but since I don’t wear a wetsuit I end up standing around in tri shorts for 30 minutes before the race. I’ve started bringing clothes to wear between leaving the transition area and starting the swim and I stay bundled up until just before the gun goes off. If it is really cool, I even throw on a stocking cap. If you think you might not get your warm ups back after the race, go “disposable” and wear some really cheap/old stuff you don’t mind just throwing away right before the start.
I had already planned on this…it’s a low key start so I can pretty much stay bundled up until just a few minutes before the start. Thanks for your suggestions on the cap!
if it’s going to be dry it should be fairly easy to get yourself warm after the swim. For me it would be a longsleeve jersey and a wind vest for 45 degrees. Maybe arm warmers, if you have them, which you can use or not - but they can easily be pocketed when you don’t need them.
I had a very tough oly this year, water was 55 and the air was about the same. On top of this, it was raining like a car wash, and not just part of the time, the whole time. The swim was fine but, I don’t have a rain jacket and the bike was miserably cold. I flatted 30 min into the bike in a puddle-hidden hole which made me even colder - shivering. Just before the run I warmed up. Lesson - be prepared
For the swim itself, as long as the water is warm enough you should be fine. FWIW I grew up swimming in FL - we would train outside year round. The pool was heated but the air most certainly was not… there were MANY times it would be in the 20s or lower (freak cold spells ;)) and we’d be in the pool (no wetsuits) for 2-3 hours. Just make sure you dry off enough and dress warm enough on the bike!
I drink ginger tea from a thermos if I am chilling before a swim.
It warms your core. But it also has the side benefit of settling your stomach and providing some extra (non-caffeinated) energy.
A water 70 degrees C is not cold at all. If you can manage to keep your core warm before you get into the water you’ll have no problem. Here is a sample of water temps for the Mid-Atlantic beaches: http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/catl.html
Take a look at the Delaware and Maryland (Lewes and Ocean City). Millions bob happily in 70 degree water and they’re not generating the heat that you will be. If you’re not shivering when you get into the water, you’ll be fine.