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First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit??
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 2005-05-10 4:08 PM |
Elite  2706    Hurst, Texas |  Subject: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit??Hey gang: OK, it is official. I will be doing the "first tri" divison at the Capital of Texas tri in Austin on Memorial Day. This is my inaugural event, so I'm nervous as heck. Adding to my fear is an email I got today from one of the organizers. He said the water temperature will be 65-70 degrees for the swim. I have no wetsuit, and I have never swam in water colder than like 75-80 degrees. I can't justify the expense of purchasing a wetsuit because I still have about 30 more pounds to lose this summer, and then the suit won't fit. Do any of you regularly swim in water this cold without a wetsuit? If so, got any tips on how to do it without freaking and DNFing? It will be my first open water swim. We have a pool in our backyard at my new house, and it is currently about 72-75 degrees and feels like ice water to me...I still haven't been able to swim in it because it is so darn cold. He he he...I think I'm screwed!! |
| 2005-05-10 4:11 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Master 1967  | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Rent a wetsuit that is some COLD water, plus the suit will really help your swim time. As I recall there are some online outfits that will rent suits to you and ship them through the mail. You should have time to get one. Anyone have a name or website to offer? |
| 2005-05-10 4:14 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Expert 751 Texarkana, TX | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? OldAg, you need to look up Austin Tri-Cyclist. I know they do a good job of selling wetsuits (they have an Endless Pool on site and let you swim in your suit first...) so I would assume that they rent suits as well. If they don't they can probably point you to someone who will, specifically for that race. Edited by Tiger Phil 2005-05-10 4:18 PM |
| 2005-05-10 4:16 PM in reply to: #155627 |
| Member 215 Houston, Texas | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? 65-70 BRRR!! |
| 2005-05-10 4:22 PM in reply to: #155627 |
| 67 | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? I did a sprint tri with a 300 yard swim at about that temperature without a wesuit. While it was doable, it was also damn cold. I would guess that 90% of the participants had wetsuits. The shock of the cold had me immediately winded. In addition my left foot was numb for the first 2/3 s of the bike. Next year, wetsuit. |
| 2005-05-10 4:27 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Expert 751 Texarkana, TX | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Where's Welshy when you need him? |
| 2005-05-10 4:30 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Elite 2706 Hurst, Texas | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Dumb question here, but assuming I can find a wetsuit by then and practice with it (unlikely, but we'll see), is it best to go with the sleeveless kind? |
| 2005-05-10 5:43 PM in reply to: #155654 |
Master 1967 | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? OldAg92 - 2005-05-10 4:30 PM Dumb question here, but assuming I can find a wetsuit by then and practice with it (unlikely, but we'll see), is it best to go with the sleeveless kind? Depends on your preference. I have a sleveless model, because I feel the "full" constricts my motion. I know that other people have no problem with the full model. |
| 2005-05-10 5:47 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Pro 3906 St Charles, IL | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? I did my first tri in Lake Michigan in June last year. Water temp was 60 degrees. It was cold, sure. But not unbearable. I swam pretty darn fast too, and once I got out and on the bike, I warmed up pretty quick. -Chris |
| 2005-05-10 6:01 PM in reply to: #155627 |
| Elite Veteran 1817 Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? I did my first sprint tri swim (550 yd) last year in 65 degree water with no wetsuit. And I'm just a delicate little girl. Instead of dipping your toe in your pool and going Ohhhhh, cold, ohhhhh - just jump your butt in there and splash around like a maniac for about 10 minutes. You'd be surprised how fast you get used to it. Or go rent a wetsuit, you big girly man. |
| 2005-05-10 6:06 PM in reply to: #155627 |
| Elite Veteran 781 | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? I'm looking at a 500yd swim in those sorts of temps this Sunday sans wetsuit. You can do it, too. The water was pretty cold at my last tri as well, and I just got in and started swimming when it was time. After the initial shock, it wasn't so bad for 400 yds. How long is your swim leg? 300 yds or so? This should be very doable without a wetsuit. Before then, get into your pool and swim a bit. Be sure to put your face in the water. That way when you start your race, you'll be reminded of your home pool and you'll know that you can do it. |
| 2005-05-10 8:18 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Expert 1049 Jacksonville, FL | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Drink heavily before getting in the water!! |
| 2005-05-10 8:56 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Elite 2706 Hurst, Texas | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Tania - "Big Girly Man???" OK, now that you've put it THAT way, I'm gonna swim it naked, and with a big bag of ice strapped to my back just for a little extra chill. Lynda - It is 400m, and yes, I guess I need to get in my pool and start "de-girlyman-ifying" myself for Tania's benefit!! ropkins - Your idea makes the most sense, by far. OK, I'll quit griping and swim the darn thing without a wetsuit Edited by OldAg92 2005-05-10 8:57 PM |
| 2005-05-10 9:50 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Expert 822 | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Hey! None of this girly-man business. Every one is different. It would be downright foolish to do a race in water temperature that you can't comfortably handle. It could definitely affect your time in a negative way or cause a DNF. It could even be dangerous. If you are worried about the temperature, by all means get a wetsuit. Even though I will be losing weight also, the investment was worth it to me -- I spent about the cost of a couple of pairs of running shoes. I did my first triathlon in ~60 degree water without a wetsuit. I didn't realize what that meant and wondered why people were looking at me funny at the starting line. It turned a 20 minute swim into a 36 minute one -- and I'm lucky I even made it. I had to breaststroke the whole thing just so I could breathe because the temperature was way to low for me. I like what I've read on this site before: if the race allows wetsuits, wear one. I hear there are races where the water is warm enough that wetsuits are not allowed. But I say, take every advantage you can get. Especially if it's your first and you're iffy about the water temperature. You've got enough to worry about. Do practice with one, though, if at all possible. Mike |
| 2005-05-10 10:03 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Extreme Veteran 562 | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? I swam in our tri club's practice last weekend in the ocean..looked up the temp when I got home and it was 67. I had trouble trying to breathe at first; I was dog paddling with my head above water. I kept sticking my head in though and eventually my breathing calmed down and I was able to swim OK. I did 30 minutes out there and it actually felt pretty refreshing by the time I got out and on the bike. |
| 2005-05-10 10:36 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Veteran 1108 Perth, Oz | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? I just did a tri on the weekend only a 400m swim and the water was 19C completely freezing for me. I think thats about 67F (ish) I didn't have a wetsuit and managed. I was pretty cold though and will think about a wetsuit for next year if I do a race this late in the season here. But I also know that as I have no experience with a wetsuit getting it off. I probably still would have been taking it off when the runners were finishing. So I decided it was better to be cold and just swim faster to get out of the water faster! |
| 2005-05-11 9:42 AM in reply to: #155774 |
Expert 751 Texarkana, TX | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? OldAg92 - 2005-05-10 6:56 PM Tania - "Big Girly Man???" OK, now that you've put it THAT way, I'm gonna swim it naked, and with a big bag of ice strapped to my back just for a little extra chill. Lynda - It is 400m, and yes, I guess I need to get in my pool and start "de-girlyman-ifying" myself for Tania's benefit!! ropkins - Your idea makes the most sense, by far. OK, I'll quit griping and swim the darn thing without a wetsuit Dude, you live in BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS! It never gets cold there. (Except when Garth Brooks comes to town...) You are nowhere near acclimatized to cold water. You have no idea how shocking it will be to try to put your face into water that cold. Get a freaking wetsuit! And make sure it has full sleeves. Full sleeves are always, always faster than sleeveless. Sheesh. |
| 2005-05-11 9:47 AM in reply to: #155627 |
Elite 2706 Hurst, Texas | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Tiger Phil, Funny you mention the Garth concert. We froze our butts off for that damn show....it was cold, rainy, and miserable in general. And yes, you are right about it never getting cold here. It is hilarious to watch the Brownsville natives (I'm not originally from here). Any time it gets below about 70 degrees, the heavy jackets come out....I just laugh. When it snowed here on Christmas Eve (first white Christmas in recorded history) half of the town was outside at 3:00 a.m. in utter disbelief. Funny place to live, but at least South Padre Island is only a few miles away. As far as a wetsuit is concerned, I've been looking online, and can't even find anything that would come close to fitting me, much less at a reasonable price....this could be an interesting few weeks for me! Edited by OldAg92 2005-05-11 9:48 AM |
| 2005-05-11 9:47 AM in reply to: #155627 |
Master 1967 | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? While these temperatures are not going to kill anyone, here is my take: 1. You WILL be cold, which means that you will be thinking about that instead of your stroke which could slow you down. 2. It will affect you breathing, which could slow you down 3. A wet suit not only helps keep you warm, but helps keep you afloat which will make you faster and could help save your legs for the bike/run. To me it is a no-brainer - wear a wetsuit. |
| 2005-05-11 11:18 AM in reply to: #155627 |
Extreme Veteran 371 Montreal | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? I have my first sprint tri mid-June. The swim is 500m and water shold be about 64. I have rented a wetsuit at my local tri shop for 25$ canadian (so about 20$ US). I know I could get through the swim without it, but since its my first tri, I don't need the freaking out part in cold water. I want to put all the chances on my side to make it as easy as possible. I am pretty sure it will be worth the 25$! If you can find a place to rent one, I would definitely go for it. |
| 2005-05-11 12:43 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Master 1359 South of SLC | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? |
| 2005-05-11 12:44 PM in reply to: #155627 |
Elite 2706 Hurst, Texas | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Ouch, Mike.....hit a guy where it hurts the most why don't ya!! |
| 2005-05-11 1:41 PM in reply to: #156025 |
Master 1359 South of SLC | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Seriously, good luck man. I would rent like people are suggesting. Go with the full sleeves for the warmth. Mike |
| 2005-05-11 4:30 PM in reply to: #155774 |
Expert 1049 Jacksonville, FL | Subject: RE: First Tri - 65-70 degree Water - No Wetsuit?? Watch out for the bottom drag if you swim naked. It may slow you down! |
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