Dress me for my first tri

[CallingAllAngels]

I'm doing a small triathlon next month - 225 yard swim, 8 mile bike ride, 2 mile run.  I am getting excited and really enjoying training.  I'm new to swimming and cycling, but I think I can cover those distances easily.  Running shouldn't be a problem. 

I can't figure out what to wear.  I have a swim suit, bike shorts, and all sorts of running clothes. 

WWYD?  I have time goals in mind for each segment, but I have no idea how long the transitions are going to take.  I am not going to even come close to winning, so there really isn't a big rush.  I'm not all that concerned with taking extra time to (for example) put on bike shorts after the swim and then switch to running shorts for the run, but I realize that might be overkill. 

Thoughts?  Any other tips for my first tri?

ETA: the swim is in a pool, so no issues with water temperature. 

[texassmith]

Tri shorts and a tri tops, then don't change at all in transition. You can get them cheap on Amazon.

[kams]

Tri shorts and trip top or tri suit is great, but you can also just buy tri shorts and put them on over your swimsuit in t1.

Keep it simple, and plan for the fewest possible steps in transition.

[kams]

Jun 6, 2013 10:16:56 GMT -5 kams said:

Tri shorts and trip top or tri suit is great, but you can also just buy tri shorts and put them on over your swimsuit in t1.

Keep it simple, and plan for the fewest possible steps in transition.

Sorry, can't edit. It's better to wear tri shorts the whole time. It's hard to put them on with wet legs.

[katandkevin]

I would go with tri shorts and a tri top. If you aren't committed to tris and don't want to spend the money, just put your running shorts on over your bathing suit and wear those for the bike and the run. You don't need the padding for 8 miles on the bike.

[texassmith]

Jun 6, 2013 10:16:56 GMT -5 kams said:

Tri shorts and trip top or tri suit is great, but you can also just buy tri shorts and put them on over your swimsuit in t1.

Keep it simple, and plan for the fewest possible steps in transition.

I was going to say this, but I shudder at the thought of the potential bikini line chafing from biking and running in a wet swimsuit.

[Susie]

I wore tri shorts + swim suit for my first tri.  I'm flat chested enough not to need a sports bra in addition, but a few women wore a sports bra under a suit + tri shorts.  A tri top is great, but you don't need to spend the $ if you aren't going to get a lot of use out of it.  Your race is short enough that you don't need to worry too much about layers, chafing, etc.  I bought a tri top for my 2nd or 3rd tri, and have acquired a collection of items by now.

If you go the swim suit route, swim in your tri shorts.  They will be a bitch to put on when you are wet, and transition is frantic enough as is.

[Susie]

Jun 6, 2013 10:34:40 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Jun 6, 2013 10:16:56 GMT -5 kams said:

Tri shorts and trip top or tri suit is great, but you can also just buy tri shorts and put them on over your swimsuit in t1.

Keep it simple, and plan for the fewest possible steps in transition.

I was going to say this, but I shudder at the thought of the potential bikini line chafing from biking and running in a wet swimsuit.

Nah.  I mean, in theory, it would suck if it happened, but in practice, 2 miles is way too short of a run to worry about chafing.  Same for an 8 mile bike ride.  You're done before you know it.

The two tri's I did in the swim suit/shorts combo were
375 yd swim / 11.5 mi bike / 3.25 mi run
.5 mi swim / 14. mi bike / 3.1 mi run

I had no threats of chafe-age at either.

[kams]

This is what it comes down to IMO:

What's your budget, and do you intend to do more triathlons in the future. If you can afford it, get tri clothes. If you want to see how it goes, you can still have a great race in clothes you already have.

In re: to chafing - just throw some glide on if you're worried about it. I don't think you'll experience much chafing in a 2m run - at least not enough to ruin your race.

[gumi]

it's worth buying tri shorts because they are also bike shorts. so, even if you dont do many triathlons, you can just use them as bike shorts.

i bought my first pair in 2006, wear them all the time, and they are still in great shape. they are a good purchase and worth having.

that said, i dont think you need a tri top. you can just wear a water-proof sports bra.

[CallingAllAngels]

I was not planning to buy anything, but if you ladies say I need to then I guess I should go shopping. Darn.

I do think I'll do more tris. I'm not saying I'll do anything more than sprints, but right now I am really enjoying swimming and riding my bike, so...

[CallingAllAngels]

Oh, and thank you, thank you for all the advice. I really appreciate it.

[So_Fetch]

If you're on a budget, check ebay. I was able to buy a pair of tri shorts for $20 including shipping.
Good luck!