Wearing a wetsuit at Cranberry ?

I've heard that the water is plenty warm at Cranberry. But wearing a wetsuit will get some extra speed. I'm going to bring mine along but will probably not use it because I don't like feeling like a boiled potato.

Swam Loon this afternoon. 

It was warm, as in it took no time to dunk and adjust to the water temp even in just tri shorts and 'bikini' top, but there were definitely some cool spots out there and it still felt refreshingly cool after swimming the loop for ~30 min at a moderate effort.  I enjoy cold water swimming, but in the temps today I'd still say that if I *had* to swim in a full wetsuit, it would certainly be tolerable.  The added buoyancy might be nice since it's not salt water to give you the extra float.  Not sure what it'll be like in a couple weeks if we have these 90º temps keep up, tho.

Personally I don't like wetsuits (nor my slightly too small one!) and the temps are great without one, so I won't bother.

I would rather not wear mine. I did not wear it at the Mass State Oly and noticed my legs were a bit tired after the swim. Yesterday I swam 1.5miles OWS and had no "wobbly" feeling after the swim and my legs felt great for the bike ride which followed. So now I am thinking if the wetsuit will help "save" my legs but if its at the expense of boiling in my suit - it may not be worth it.

I am on the fence so I am wondering what the majority is thinking since I am a true novice when it comes to racing.

A simple question: do you think you'll be faster with the wetsuit on--including the extra T1 time? 

From talking to people and reading alot about it, I'm of the mind that unless the swim is <1/4 mi you'll pick up time with the wetsuit on, as well as save energy for the other two legs.  And don't worry about the heat, even if you're uncomfortable for a few minutes of the swim it's worth it for hte time pickup and the energy savings. 

Also, I've done a few full wetsuit OWS at Walden pond the past fwe weeks and I found it to be rather comfortable--maybe on the edge of being a little warm but I certainly wouldn't classify it as being 'too hot'.

not so sure if I will be so fast? I have only raced once and I swam it in 34minutes (total BOP kind of girl). The time I shave is not as of interest to me as keeping my legs as fresh as possible and if the wetsuit helps, I think I could tolerate the discomfort with the heat. I will have to practice getting out of it a few more times. Any tricks to getting out of the blubber suit? Do you do it the water or do you do it next to the bike, butt on the floor?

If you're looking for fresher legs then definitely wear the suit.  They keep your legs more bouyant in the water, alot of the kick you generate when not wearing a wetsuit is used toward keeping that portion of your body afloat.  Wearing a suit you can almost leave your feet draging behind you they're so bouyant (not recommending it, but it could be done). 

A few things might help in getting the suit off:  Before you put the suit on make sure to get some Body Glide (or something similar), and get the ankles, shoulders, and anywhere else you might think you'd have some trouble with the suit--it definitely helps.  The first thing I honestly focus on is remaining calm in transition, doing one thing at a time.  The second you're out of the water--or, even better, the second you have your feet on the ground running to T1--get the cap and goggles off, hold them in one hand, then get your zipper down, pull one arm out, then the other (letting go of the cap and goggles, which will stay in the suit so you don't have to worry about them any more).  You can do all this as you run to transition, you should be stripped to the waist before even getting to your bike.

Then it's just a pull down to the knees, step on the upper portion of the suit and pull one foot out (you'll usually have to use your hands to get past the ankles), and then the other.  Again, remain calm, it's easy enough to get flustered, fall over, or just fumble with the suit.  Just remember that the suits are pretty tough, if you baby it you're just going to have a harder time getting it off. 

One last thing: practice, as always, makes perfect.  A few rounds of transition makes a big difference, you can even do it in your backyard, but as with anything the more you do it the better (and more confident) you'll be with it. 

(All this coming from someone who's done exactly one sprint tri...I guess you could say I'm a little obsessive with things like this)

Oh, also, there are some great T1 video tutorials both on this site and others--do a search here and on YouTube and you'll find some good clips that might be better at explaining hte process.

Wear a wetsuit.... I competed in Sharon yesterday and it could not have been hotter.  However, I was not uncomfortable waiting for my wave, i never felt overly warm in the water, and I know I saved about 25 seconds every 100 yards.  Since it takes less than a minute to remove the wetsuit, it seems like a no brainer.  I consider it legalized cheating.  Now if I could only bike and run with any competence, I might not be a bad triathelite.

Thanks guys. I will wear the suit. I am going today to OWS in the suit. Its close to 90 degrees and as hot as I can bear. I am hoping to "test" the suit in warm water and taking it off in the heat.

I figure it will be worth wearing it if it means my legs will take me further on the bike and run portion. Thanks for the pointers in taking it off. I took it off in the water on my swim on Saturday and that was ok. But I will aim for taking it off on land. I should have about 4 or 5 more OWS swims before Cranberry so hopefully that will make me confident enough.

oh yeah - how about the ankle strap? Does it get stuck? Maybe I should wear that as well to practice with it on...

yeah wear the wet suite I did sharron alomst 90 degrees that day and I finished top three for newbees (my first triathlon ever) but the only people in my wave out the water before me all had wet suites. Legalized cheating is right so Im going out and getting one. you here that you 5 to 8 people out the water before me and the one to two newbees that beat me I'll be faster next time!

ok, so my next question - I own a full sleeve wetsuit - stick with it or get this

I can sell a few things to fund it - this will be my last Tri for the season but there is always next year. Should I get the Jane in a scramble or save up $$ to get a Zoot Jane?

Honestly I dont know every one had fulls on so I would ask a pro which is more stream line and faster. You definatly dont have to worry about over heating I used to live in CT and went to Renbrook on avon mountain as well as north west cathlic so trust me the humidity doesnt compaire to ct tabocco valley

Xterra has a huge sale going on - Just bought a sleeveless one for $99 V3. I am excited. I hope it fits!

Every year that I've done Cranberry:

• The weather was warm leading up to the race
• The water felt warm the day before the race when I did my practice swim
• I went back and forth in my mind about whether or not to wear my wetsuit
• I wore my wetsuit and was glad that I did

Awesome. We should both be sporting a new wetsuit

I'll definitely be wearing my full if I can, both days