Subject: RE: Big man and a WetsuitOr don't get one. People get all hung up on not racing w/o one. To the point that they get all whiny when the water hits 82, & the option of wetsuits is gone. It's not necessary the way a bike or bike helmut are. You won't freeze to death, one will NEVER be required, even cheap ones are expensive, and if you plan to lose weight you'll be buying another one later in a different size. Just skip it. I've worn one exactly twice in about 3 yrs. The first time b/c it was my first open water race ever, and I thought I would freeze to death. I just didn't know any better, and would have been better off w/o one. I hated every second of wearing it. The second time I actually swam off course and ditched my wet suit w/ a coast guard boat at the end of the first lap on a course w/ 2 laps. The race was going VERY badly, and I had swam off course with the intention of quitting. I felt soooo much better the instant the wetsuit came off that I decided to finish the race. For reference I've swam in water as cold as 62 degrees for up to 3 hours (longer open water stuff, not just Tri swims). You really aren't going to freeze, I promise. Especially if it's just for tris. You'll never even be in the water for 2 hours in a full IM. Starting out w/ just sprints you won't even be in the water 30 min. No matter how cold the water is, you can suck it up for 30 min. |