What to wear?

I'm preparing my mental list of needs for my triathlon. Reading up on "what do I need" type articles to make sure I've got everything. My wetsuit is in route and should be delivered on Monday. I really hope it fits. I ordered it from Costco, in a size 12, I hear wetsuits in general run small. Costco is great about returning things if I have any problems like it not fitting properly. Thinking positive ::: it will work::: if not, I can always rent one at there.

My next issue, the swimsuit. Yes, I own a pool. Yes, I own swimsuits but not an athletic swimsuit. I went to two sporting goods stores today, Big 5 and Sports Authority to find a swimsuit. While, I was able to find ones that fit me none of them were supportive enough of "the girls" to think about wearing the entire race. So I swim in it, under my wetsuit and then what? Change in front of 1000 people? How could I get a bra under it, to provide support? In theory, I was hoping I would find a suit supportive enough to wear under a shirt throughout the race. I want my transitions to be quick. I'm not stripping down in front of that many people and I don't think there is a changing area.... that's just not practicle either. What to do? It's too late to get a triathlon suit and honestly, they're too expensive. Plus, I have no real way of knowing how much support they are going to provide. What to do? What to do?

Once I left big 5 dissappointed, I figured I'd come home and look on the internet. I know it's really too late to order anything now. But, it never hurts to look. The triathlon suits really don't look much different than some running clothes. I went to Sports Authority to check out their selection of swimsuits, in hopes of finding something more supportive. I did find a more supportive swimsuit at the Sports Authority. It was $66 and I really don't think it was going to be THAT supportive. Full of hope, I ran in place in the changing room trying each one on, putting them to a quick test. If I was bouncing all over the place running in the dressing room I knew it wasn't going to cut it for 15 miles of cycle + 3 miles of running.

Disappointed I walked around the store. Trying to figure out what to do. I checked the clearance racks and looked at all the apparel. Wishing, I had planned better and found a way to get a good trisuit I decided not to get a swimsuit. I really don't see myself getting much use out of an athletic swimsuit. I'm still trying to lose weight and won't be wearing it much more this year. I highly doubt it will fit me next summer. So really is it worth $66 just to wear a few times at most? No, it's not to me. I've been wanting a cute pair of shorts for the gym. I know I'll get plenty of use out of them in cycle. I had an idea! Why not wear form fitting training clothes under my wetsuit, instead of a swimsuit, like I would have worn a trisuit? I could always make my own tri-suit or psuedo tri-suit out of something I would WEAR again. Why not? As long as if it's form fitting and thin enough it should fit under the wetsuit just like a swimsuit, right? Then I won't have to worry about awkward changing moments or support issues. Plus, I will be able to get use out of it again and again, until it no longer fits me. Most of the athletic tank tops have a built in bra, which isn't ideal support on it's own but way more supportive than the swimsuits I found. I just might be able to make this work. Luckily, I have a few days to try the outfit out in the pool or find something else.

I ended up getting these items: My unofficial tri-suit.

Nike Women's Pro Core Sport Top - Mine is a pretty purple color and I got it off the clearance rack for less than $18.00



Nike Women's Pro Core Compression Shorts


I have a feeling this could be a learning experience but I am going to try it out in the pool without the wetsuit tomorrow. I think it just *might* work and if it does, my transition times will be quick! ;-)