first winter tri

Is the race in the order you gave (i.e. run/bike/swim) or is it the standard swim/bike/run?

Don't swim in anything but your tri suit. I can't imagine trying to swim in pants and a top.

I've done the standard s/b/r tri at 42F (also cloudy and rainy) - the run is fine, it's the bike that can get cold, though if you aren't getting on the bike wet from the swim it will certainly help. I'd strongly recommend gloves for the bike.

Yes, the order is run/bike/swim

In that case, you'll be plenty warmed up from the run and nice to not have to get on the bike wet.

Personally I'd just do the whole thing in just my tri suit, with gloves on the bike, but I'm from a colder climate than you. Realistically you should be fine starting in your tri suit with the long sleeve top on for the run. Up to you whether you start with gloves on or put them on in T1 (depends on if you can transition to the bike wearing gloves). You should be real warm after the 5k run and shouldn't need the jacket for the bike, but if it's windy/rainy you can put that on too. I'd be inclined to skip the pants altogether. Getting pants off in T2 seems like a hassle - but if you really are sensitive to the cold, start the race in the pants too and go back down to just the tri suit in T2. If you're racing the run/bike in tops/pants, you don't really need a tri suit - you could have on a swimsuit under those.

Thank you for suggestions. I'm planning on practicing transitions as this is my first time to take off layers of clothing before swimming.

My goal for this race is to finish and get a race shirt LOL.

My motivation for this race is to loose weight because I gained 15 lbs from vacation and holidays. Thankfully, I lost all 15 lbs since I started training. After this race, I will continue training for another sprint tri in February as I don't want to gain unwanted pounds

Edited by Phebes 2016-11-30 12:47 PM