What to wear - on a budget?

I just did my first Tri in copression shorts and a Walmart sports bra top which I wore through the whole event.  Worked fine. 

I also do not have cycle shoes and had to put on my regular running shoes with regular laces during the first transition.  I fumbled with the laces.  You may want to try lace locks if you think this will be an issue for you too.  I now have elastics laces with locks for next time.

I just bought my first Tri shorts, but have not tried them yet.  You wear them alone through the whole event; they are fast drying.  I'm still looking for a proper Tri top; but if all else fails.... I was happy enough with the sports bra top I wore last time.

You may need a race belt for your race number; unless you want to pre-pin it to your run top and throw that on.  But I'd skip adding too many clothes during transition if possible.

And as for this..... when is your first Tri?  I simply have to check back with you and see if you are hooked.  This is addictive, and my guess is you will be back!!!

If you've tried running in your swimsuit and you're OK with that, you can do the whole race just as you described.  (You might also try a ride to make sure the different posture doesn't pull things in ways you don't like. ) 

Most sprints don't have places to change, so you need to plan to wear whatever you swim in for the whole time.  Doesn't mean you can't add to it though.  It can take some work to pull shorts or a t-shirt on over your wet skin/suit, but if you take your time to begin, it isn't too bad (no more than 20-30 seconds).  If you rush and get the clothes bunched up and "caught" it can take a lot longer. 

For my first tri, I swam in swim trunks and put on an old, baggy, cotton t-shirt, socks, and running shoes in T1 before heading out on my mountain bike.  I had a lot of fun. 

One tip for the socks, put them on and roll them half-way off your foot before the race.  In T1 (or T2), put the half-rolled sock over your toes and roll it back up over your heel. 

SKIP THE SHIRT - it will just slow you down.

Some tri's do not require race number to be worn in the run anymore.If you need to wear a number in the run see if you can borrow a number belt. (you can buy one for $5-$8.)

If you can't get a number belt and need to wear a number - practice pulling on your shirt with pinned paper on it while you are wet.

You need goggles, shorts, sports top you can swim in, running shoes you can bike in with toe clips ($6 at Target), Helmet, Bike -whatever you have already is fine but if it is a Mt Bike with knobby tires - swap them for slicks ($10 performancebike.com / $12 Target)

a number belt or technical shirt (free at most 5k races or $10 at walmart) if race number need be worn

optional:A hand towell to wipe you feet on at transitions,glasses,socks,water bottle and cage

Edited by bruehoyt 2009-08-15 11:45 AM

I found a decent pair of Nike swimtrunks  that are very similar to tri shorts (nice and tighty), just less durable - for $11 at Duhnam's. Biking and running in them are fine. I am running my first tri in them and nothing else but running shoes. Hopefully there not too cheap and the crotch doesn't rip during the bike - perhpas I should have a pair of shorts handy at T2 just to be safe..