What to wear?

Triathlon Forum
1

I need some help on this one. Local sprint tri Sunday morning at 8:00. The expected low is going to be around 40 degrees. What would you guys/ gals recommend wearing to stay warm? I have a tri suit, but getting out of 86 degree pool water and hopping on a bike gives me the chills thinking about it. Two years ago I did this tri not quite as cool only had my tri shorts on and people said I was purple when I got off the bike. I’ve seen people putting arm warmers on, but with this being a sprint I don’t want to waste time. I’m leaning towards just going with my trisuit, but just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions. I’m really just hoping the weathermen have missed the forcast…

2

Wet, wind and 40 degrees sounds like hypothermia to me. Seems you should take the extra seconds and put on warmer gear.

3

Try some arm warmers. Or use warming oil in T1. Slap it on real quick and go. You can even apply it while on the bike.

4

Ya know, I did a sprint race years ago in Vermont early in the season (UVM Triathlon). We swam in the pool, than exited to weather in the 40-50. I just put a tri top on and headed out on the bike and rode as hard as I could to get warm… It didn’t work. I froze, and so did my swim suit… literally! The next year, I put on a pair of tights and a wind jacket in T-1 and was fine. I took the jacket off in T-2 and put on a race shirt. I was still a little cold but not uncomfortable and had a much more enjoyable experience… and I ran much faster the second year.

5

40-50 > 32 = no freezing
.

6

Let me be more specific… it was supposed to be 40-50 degrees. But like they say if you live in new england and don’t like the weather… wait a minute, it’ll change.

7

Riding when its cold and overcast with any kind of wind is a good way to become a heat (or lack of) injury from hypothermia! My suggestion - knee warmers, arm warmers, and a wind vest (Pearl Isumi has a nice fleece vest). The knee and arm warmers are an added minute to put on but can stay on for the run while the vest unzips as you are returning the bike to the rack at T2!