Help with Tri Shorts
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Triguy98 posted 22 weeks ago.
Not really. Just wear the tri shorts. You will be surprised of all the shapes, sizes, and ages people at tris come in. You will not stand out at all. Besides that, baggy shorts promote chafing, which is NOT a good thing.
My personal favorite shorts are the Pearl Izumis. Supportive, not too short, great padding for a tri short. And they last a long while as long as you dont swim in the pool too often. I dont really like the fleece that some brands like Desoto (even though the rest of their shorts are great) use.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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ChunkyB posted 22 weeks ago.
My real advice would be to not worry about what you look like and wear what you'll be comfortable in. If you're really really worried, then you can do as follows. This is what I did for my first few tris, back when I was worried about things like that and what not.
You wear black under armor through the whole race. Then things go as follows
Swim: Wear your wetsuit or a swimsuit on top of your under armor.
Bike: Take off your swimsuit and put your padded bike shorts on top of your under armor, and if you want to, put on like some basketball shorts or something on top of them.
Run: You can just run in the same thing, or you can take off the padded shorts and put back on the basketball shorts.
This might add a minute or so to your time, so if you're really worried about time, then just wear tri shorts through the whole race. But if you're not worried about time, and you really feel uncomfortable in just tri shorts, then try it.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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tsilcyc posted 22 weeks ago.
I'm a huge fan of DeSoto for the clothing itself and their awesome customer service. They have a money back guarantee so I think in this situation, it might be something to consider.
http://www.desotosport.com/about/guarantee.asp
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azstinger11 posted 22 weeks ago.
They do make mountain bike shorts which are basically tight bike shorts then an outer normal shorts layer. Can't say that I'd recommend them for triathlons since they would be really bad during the swim and probably the run.
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ChunkyB posted 22 weeks ago.
When it comes down to it, if you're not worried too much about your time, you should wear whatever you need to be comfortable on every leg of the race. Wear gloves and socks and even a camelbak if you want on the bike. Wear whatever else you want on the swim and run (sorry I couldn't think of any examples).
One of the main functions of tri shorts is to give a little padding for the bike, while not being too cumbersome for the run, and drying quickly after the swim. That way, you don't have to change and your transitions will go faster. On your first tri, you shouldn't be too worried about seconds on your final time, so I say wear whatever you want to wear.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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399 days
theShiba posted 22 weeks ago.
ChunkyB wrote:
When it comes down to it, if you're not worried too much about your time, you should wear whatever you need to be comfortable on every leg of the race. Wear gloves and socks and even a camelbak if you want on the bike. Wear whatever else you want on the swim and run (sorry I couldn't think of any examples).One of the main functions of tri shorts is to give a little padding for the bike, while not being too cumbersome for the run, and drying quickly after the swim. That way, you don't have to change and your transitions will go faster. On your first tri, you shouldn't be too worried about seconds on your final time, so I say wear whatever you want to wear.
Aren't Camelbaks banned? I thought you couldn't wear them because they smooth out the airflow coming off of your back...
But, to answer the question... I think that ChunkyB's idea of UnderArmor would be fine. Another option would be to wear your swim bottoms, jammers/etc. the whole race. Then just pull shorts over them as needed. So, come out of the water with the swimsuit on, then put bike shorts over that. Then ditch the bike shorts, and put on some run shorts...
408
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182 days
jsk85 posted 22 weeks ago.
Definately get yourself some tri shorts, and wear them proudly. Because even if you don't look the greatest in them: 1) You're not alone and 2) People that will be watching you in them will likely not be DOING triathlons, so you've already got a leg up on them in my book.
As far as brands go, I'll have to get back on that one. I am at work and can't check into the type I have (embarrassed I don't know off the top of my head). My favorite pair have a half zipper on the front of the legs so you can tighten them up for hydrodynamic/aerodynamic purposes on the swim and bike, then unzip and loosen for the run. They may not even be that nice, but they feel good and I just feel high-tech wearing them.
PS...I'm a clydesdale with not the most amazing physique, but between CC in high school, rowing in college, and now triathlon I have become the spandex king. I probably own more sets of spandex than I do regular clothes (and probably wear them more too, lol). I've found that if you are proud of your work and preparation, you know you look good.
My blog: http://jsktri.blogspot.com
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stewarba posted 22 weeks ago.
Newbie9 - I had the same type of concerns my first time out and was planing to just wear regular swim shorts in my first tri, but then I decided to go to one as a spectator three weeks before my scheduled race to get an idea of what to expect (I personally recommend this to all first timers if they can by the way). Trust me on this, 95% off all particpants wear Tri shorts and you will stand out more by not wearing them. Besides, who is going to really see you? For the most part you will only see the non-particpants around the transition areas (which they are not allowed into) and the other Triathletes on the course who will be wearing their Tri shorts.
You are a Triathlete, a unique fraternity of athletes who lead a fitness lifestyle, the uniform of the day is the Tri shorts!
Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines – Brian Tracy
2008 Sprint Tri A race goals
S: 500m in 10:00 – FS Stroke only
B: 22mph avg over course
R: 5K <= 25:00
Place top 50% for my age group
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TriSooner posted 22 weeks ago.
Newbie9 wrote:
Uhm, no. Bike shorts are either baggy (with a chammy insert) OR tight. Nothing in between. I would recommend the spandex type. I know you are self conscious about your appearance, but I don't know many people who look good in tri shorts and skimpy shirts. Think "form" or "function" OVER "fashion."
They don't have to be baggy but not skin tight either. Does something like this even exist?
So 325 hours a year of training and a 13hr finish gets you into the 16th percentile at Ironman Germany? Dude, wait, what?
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TriSooner posted 22 weeks ago.
theShiba wrote:
Aren't Camelbaks banned? I thought you couldn't wear them because they smooth out the airflow coming off of your back...
Where did you see this? I have never heard this from USAT, IM NA, or ITU.
So 325 hours a year of training and a 13hr finish gets you into the 16th percentile at Ironman Germany? Dude, wait, what?
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Captain Mal posted 22 weeks ago.
I wore mountain shorts for my first tri and for my first century bike ride. (I didn't wear the mountain shorts for the swim, they really aren't meant to dry out quickly.) Rather then blend my pudgy butt into the background, I stuck out like a sore thumb. (This totally reminds me of a funny off-topic story, but back on topic...) Now, I do what ChunkyB says above. I am not breaking any speed records, so I don't mind changing clothes at the transitions. Also, ChunkyB and I share the same genetic makeup and, trust me, no one is going to put pictures of us in any triathlete mag. Still, we wear our spandex like everyone else does. It works and feels better on the bike. I take them off and put on some running shorts for the run though. Wear what you are comfortable wearing. Seriously, I don't know of anyone handing out fashion tickets at triathlons.
Now, for the totally off-topic story. I was living in Russia and I went to a bath house with some guys. Basically, you go into this really hot sauna wearing nothing but a stocking cap and beat each other with wet birch branches. The old Russian guys tell you that if you don't wear a stocking cap, you will melt your brain and the birch branches is an old Russian version of an exfoliating treatment only you come out looking like you were attacked by a dozen crazed cats. Anyway, one of my friends was not comfortable with the "nothing but a stocking cap" idea, so he wore a swim suit. We all went in and sat down and the Russians started making fun of him for wearing the shorts. "What are you afraid of?" "You got something to hide?" "Are you gay or something?" After a few minutes of comments about his sexuality, a light went on in one of the Russian's head. He turned to his friend and said, "Hey, we're the naked ones, he probably thinks WE are gay!" Funny times. Funny, painful times.
Anyway, if that story has any kind of point at all, it would be to not be ashamed of your body type or of wearing your race gear. Nobody will notice you if you wear your race gear and run your race. People only point and laugh if you wear mountain shorts to the race or shorts into the Russian Banya. The other point, of course, is to always wear a stocking cap into the sauna. You don't want to melt your brain.
"Faster would be better!" -Captain Mal, Serenity-
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Riverbrady posted 22 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
theShiba wrote:Aren't Camelbaks banned? I thought you couldn't wear them because they smooth out the airflow coming off of your back...Where did you see this? I have never heard this from USAT, IM NA, or ITU.
Everything I can find points to them being banned in certain specific cycling events due to aero advantage. There's nothing about them being banned in triathlons, and I can guarantee they were allowed in the last USAT and IMNA sanctioned races I was in.
"Care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible."
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Iron Dan posted 21 weeks ago.
Another thing to consider is that you might not feel you are in the shape to wear tri shorts now, but come August, with all your training, you will be.
Just a heads up, you have about 6 or 7 months between now and your event. With what I am assuming will be an increase in the amount of training volume you are doing, your body is going to change, possibly drastically, in that period of time. Tri clothing can be expensive and I would wait until a little closer to your event before you buy your race outfit, just to ensure it still fits on race day.
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ChunkyB posted 21 weeks ago.
I remember hearing about that Russian bath house. I believe your exact words were: "When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in Russia, get naked with a bunch of old men and beat each other with sticks."
BTW, Cap'n Mal, you gotta get an avatar so we can tell your posts from everyone else's.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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theShiba posted 21 weeks ago.
Riverbrady wrote:
TriSooner wrote:theShiba wrote:Aren't Camelbaks banned? I thought you couldn't wear them because they smooth out the airflow coming off of your back...Where did you see this? I have never heard this from USAT, IM NA, or ITU.
Everything I can find points to them being banned in certain specific cycling events due to aero advantage. There's nothing about them being banned in triathlons, and I can guarantee they were allowed in the last USAT and IMNA sanctioned races I was in.
Ok, that sounds right... I thought I heard about it in reference to something cycling related, but I wasn't sure. Do you happen to know what cycling events? That's what I can't remember.
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Riverbrady posted 21 weeks ago.
theShiba wrote:
Riverbrady wrote:TriSooner wrote:theShiba wrote:Aren't Camelbaks banned? I thought you couldn't wear them because they smooth out the airflow coming off of your back...Where did you see this? I have never heard this from USAT, IM NA, or ITU.
Everything I can find points to them being banned in certain specific cycling events due to aero advantage. There's nothing about them being banned in triathlons, and I can guarantee they were allowed in the last USAT and IMNA sanctioned races I was in.Ok, that sounds right... I thought I heard about it in reference to something cycling related, but I wasn't sure. Do you happen to know what cycling events? That's what I can't remember.
This is the closest I can find to anything named.
"Care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible."
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tri-ac posted 21 weeks ago.
captain mal, is your avatar pointing a gun at us?
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Triguy98 posted 21 weeks ago.
tri-ac wrote:
captain mal, is your avatar pointing a gun at us?
No, it's pointing at the assasin that is sneaking up over your left shoulder.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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Captain Mal posted 21 weeks ago.
tri-ac wrote:
captain mal, is your avatar pointing a gun at us?
Only if you are slacking on your peddling cadence!
That's a picture of the real Captain Mal from a geeky t.v. show I liked. The caption says "I aim to misbehave." With the recent writer's strike, I have been training to x-files and buffy the vampire slayer. I dare you to try and out-geek me!
"Faster would be better!" -Captain Mal, Serenity-
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ChunkyB posted 21 weeks ago.
I am getting a masters degree is Physics, and I genuinely enjoy all my classes. Plus, I regularly listen to Nintendo podcasts and Harry Potter audiobooks while riding my rollers.
btw, get on ichat if you're still at the computer. We need to figure out DDR for tonight.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
Not sure if what I am looking for even exist but I am looking for some suggestions on shorts to wear in my first Tri (Just signed up today... Little nervous but it isn't until August so I have time). Not really in the shape to wear Tri Shorts (I think I would look like someone shoved a 100 lbs of beef in a 10 lbs bag... If you get my drift). So I am looking for regular type shorts that will give me padding for bike but I can still swim/run in them. They don't have to be baggy but not skin tight either. Does something like this even exist?