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Advice for Bad Race Weather?

jmruns430's picture
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started by jmruns430 on March 13, 2006

I was wondeirng if any out there who have done any longer distance tris in rain and cold rain could share some do's and do not's. I have a friend who just DNF'd her first tri of the year because it was snowing (in central cal) during the swim and she couldnt feel her feet into the bike. It's making me a little paranoid for Oceaside 70.3 this weekend (even though the weather still looks clear)

glbrum's picture
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glbrum posted 2 years ago.

I'm doing the race also. I would suggest arm warmers and a jacket/vest. I might use a vest (if it rains) and then ditch it when I get warm. Leg/knee warmers if you really feel the need. Gloves if you don't want cold hands. Toe covers if you think your feet wil get cold. I'm going with arm warmers unless it rains then I'll probably throw a vest on for the ride

Beldrueger's picture
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Beldrueger posted 2 years ago.

I've done some tough weather races. Here is some advice:

- Dress for the occasion. Keep in mind the pace. For longer races wear little more because you'll be pacing just a little slower and generating just a little bit less heat. If the swim is cold, you should be required to wear a wetsuit. Get booties and a neoprene cap if it's going to be too cold. I did 1500m in 52 deg water with just the wetsuit, so the accesories aren't required. I sure wish I had them. My feet felt like tingling ice blocks for the next 15 minutes.
- Stay focused. I think it is more a mental game than anything. Until your toes start breaking off because they are solid ice, your body can take it. You'd be amazed how much abuse your body can take. Stay aware of your body, but there is a long spectrum of increasing discomfort between feeling cold and putting yourself in danger of hypothermia. Besides, you can shake off a little mild hypothermia .. right?

glbrum's picture
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glbrum posted 2 years ago.

One more thing....everyone os dealing with the same conditions. So, just remember that if it's really bad weather, that everyone is just as miserable as you. YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE.

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sljv posted 2 years ago.

i did the one in central california as well. the mens race started just before it started the snow, so we got to see that during the beginning of the bike.. i had a beenie type thing, and gloves... froze my butt off and wished that i put on socks and had toe caps.. i ended up finishing due to the fact that i kept telling myself that i wasnt going to drop out

if anything, dont hesitate to overpack.. bring everything you think you would need.. if you decide that you are going to put on arm warmers or knee warmers... bring an extra towel to dry off so you can put them on easier.. also, whatever you use to make it easier to put on your shoes, dont forget that.. t2 will blow if you cant put on your shoes because your feet are swollen

-josh

jmruns430's picture
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jmruns430 posted 2 years ago.

glbrum wrote:
One more thing....everyone os dealing with the same conditions. So, just remember that if it's really bad weather, that everyone is just as miserable as you. YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE.

I know, I do also know that my feet tend to go numb in wet or cold weather when a lot of other peoples dont, so I'm trying to be ready for it and find out what precautions are worth taking (putting shoes in a water proof bag) and what won't matter. This is my first 1/2IM, so I'm not worried about setting a record, I would like to finish as happy and healthy as possible given any conditions, or at least enough to want to do it again.

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ibgenaro posted 2 years ago.

For Ironman California, it is suppose to rain on Friday but be mostly cloudy on Sat- not sure how much trust you have in weathermen(person). I went to see the event last year and for the swim is was raining but by the time the fifth or so wave got out of the water is was fairly good with spurts of sunshine. Might be the same way this year.

i'm just planning on wearing my gloves and that's it... if it gets to hot I would hate wearing all those other things or throwing them off the road and hoping someone picks it up. My body gets too too hot wearing extra clothing, just going to save my hands.

Anton's picture
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Anton posted 2 years ago.

Stay focused! Think good thoughts! Don't let the little voices start tearing at you.
In 2003,had to deal with more than my share of bad weather.
At the Columbia Tri it Poured rain and the temp stayed in the 50's. Jumping into the lake took your breath away.I punctured on the bike and was shaking so badly it took me forever to change the flat.Couldn't feel my feet till mile three of the run. High DNF rate that day.
At IMLP...it poured off and on all day.
At the Point lookout Du...it poured the whole race,so bad at times you couldn't see across the road.
While it sounds simplistic you just can't let it get to you and start messing with your head.
And a great well placed finish,if you're the competitive type, may come about because you kept your cool in bad weather and others didn't.

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net

Beldrueger's picture
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Beldrueger posted 2 years ago.

Anton has a point. There is nothing more satisfying than finishing a race in which half the field DNF'd and if you stay focused and get a decent finishing time, you might just find yourself much higher than you expected.

o2Ripper's picture
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o2Ripper posted 2 years ago.

sljv wrote:
i did the one in central california as well. the mens race started just before it started the snow, so we got to see that during the beginning of the bike.. i had a beenie type thing, and gloves... froze my butt off and wished that i put on socks and had toe caps.. i ended up finishing due to the fact that i kept telling myself that i wasnt going to drop out

if anything, dont hesitate to overpack.. bring everything you think you would need.. if you decide that you are going to put on arm warmers or knee warmers... bring an extra towel to dry off so you can put them on easier.. also, whatever you use to make it easier to put on your shoes, dont forget that.. t2 will blow if you cant put on your shoes because your feet are swollen

One word - Tights! ;p I swear I was the only one there with em! hahaha. Next time - lets pray for no snow and no more 30 degree weather.

-Branden
"Its an addiction"

tri-ac's picture
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tri-ac posted 2 years ago.

i'm not an experienced racer (first tri in June 06) but i commute by bike here in Portland and we get wet and cold and windy through the winter, and, though it sounds nuts, I enjoy the solitude of the weather while the drivers are sitting bored in traffic.

be prepared for the weather like they said above and then take the weather experience and wear it like a badge! you will survive it! the race is the actual challenge...

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kylie posted 2 years ago.

As for booties.... I dont' think they are allowed on the swim. for the CA 1/2.

I might be there volunteering and cheering for you guys! Dang it... now I really wish I'd thought ahead and ordered a trifuel visor :(

Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV

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brittda posted 2 years ago.

maybe because I commute to work here in Seattle too, that the cold/wet weather does not scare me a bit (co-workers think I am insane) I would rather it be a bit coolder than hotter. The weather conditions may not be optimal but the race is supposed to be a challenge :)

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sljv posted 2 years ago.

o2Ripper wrote:
One word - Tights! ;p I swear I was the only one there with em! hahaha. Next time - lets pray for no snow and no more 30 degree weather.

seriously!.. are you planning on doing sb? these next couple of weeks are going to be some intense training.. nationals in a month, wildflower less than 2!!

-josh