[H2OChick]

I'm a newbie and curious to know what the ladies wear during a sprint tri. I'll be doing my first in July. I won't be wearing a wetsuit. I'm not very self-conscious, but still can't quite wrap my mind around riding and running in just a suit. Do people put on bike shorts? And then what? Change to regular shorts? Feel free to weigh in if you're a guy - presumably you've observed the ladies at race. What's the standard?
Thanks.

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[MHR]

It's a sprint - bike shorts are not needed and a fast transition is everything in a sprint.
Use a long line Tri-top and the Tri-bottom (like a swimsuit bottom or just use a swim suit bottom). Don't worry everyone else will be wearing something similar so you won't be out of place. If it bothers you, in T2 pull on some run shorts over you swim bottom.

On this same note (thinking you might feel out of place) - Pro Triathlete Erin Baker years ago raced in a 7-mile run race against the best female runners in the USA. She showed up to the startline in a 1-peice swimsuit. The other runners looked at her like - what's up with this freak - A swimsuit is she nuts? I remember the announcers making fun of her - saying oh - yes she's the Triathlete and most likely doesn't want to do anything different than she does in her Ironman races. They didn't think much of her until the last mile when she was out in front and as it turns Erin Kicked their butts! And took home a new car on top of that.

[bunnybike]

I definitely recommend the tri-bottoms, whether they look like bike shorts or just regular bathing suit bottoms - that little bit of padding definitely helps on the bike, even in a sprint. For my first couple of sprints, I would pull on shorts for the run, mostly because my number was pinned to them, but also because I was wearing bathing-suit-style bottoms and I was worried about thigh jiggle. Now I just use a race belt and bike-short-style tri bottoms.

Good luck and have fun!

[RoadToad]

...worried about thigh jiggle.

Funny term with strong visual effect...thanks for the giggle!

RT

[cjbruin]

I suggest something like this... http://www.tyr.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TSSO6&Category_Code=139

or this... http://www.trisports.com/desowoposk1.html

This is cool too... http://www.trisports.com/zospwo6trifr.html

You can do all three legs in these things. I wear the male version and like the way they dry out quickly and the fact that I don't have to worry about changing in/out of anything.

Of course, I'm not sure about the "boobage" factor. I think some of them have a built in sports bra...anyway, they should be at least as supportive as a bathing suit.

Are you doing the Carlsbad Tri on 7/10? I have that one on my calendar too. Good luck.

[H2OChick]

Yup - planning on that one since it's in my backyard! I'm thinking it'll be nice and familiar - I've swum in the ocean here countless times, and I just ran the Carlsbad 5000 last weekend. Not to mention I drive around there fairly often! I figured I'll have enough on my mind and that I might as well take advantage of familiar surroundings on my first tri-adventure.

[RugbyToTri]

This may be obvious but I highly recommend watching a race as early as possible. Take note of as much as possible (e.g. athelete warming up, transition area set-up, T1 & T2 habits, how much fluids are on the bikes, etc). Be sure to watch the middle-of-the-packers not just the front runners. It will give you a lot of insight about clothing, equipment, common practices and common mistakes. In addition, it will be a great motivator. Standing on the sidelines can really inspire you to look at a race with anticipation instead of trepidation.