How do you change at a sprint tri?

[mnowac]

So here is a total newbie question. I am doing my first tri in June, it's a sprint. Since it's a sprint, I don't plan on wearing a wetsuit, so I assume I will wear a bathing suit. When you get to the transition area how do you change? I'm not a total prude, but don't really feel like being buck naked in front of a bunch of strangers. Does someone hold a towel for you? Should I be wearing tri shorts and a top I can just bike/run in in stead of a suit?

[jacqui]

Either...wear a suit you can bike /run in or a tri top and bottom that you can swim in. Go with whatever you're comfortable with, the latter choice probably being a little bit more popular these days.

[JenCollister]

Do not get naked. You can be disqualified for that. I agree with Jacqui - a tri top and bottom will work just fine for all three events. However, in my first tri, I wore a bathing suit and then just threw on a running top and running shorts over the bathing suit for the bike/run.

[Aussie Rob]

I did my sprint in swim jammers.

[Charlie]

My first was in the 90's

Speedo and a singlet.

It was a weird time.

[MattCollister]

You know, there will be so much activity, and the crowd will be looking in so many different directions, that no one will really notice when you pull off your swimsuit to change. No need to have anyone hold up a towel. You'll just be "lost in the crowd." Trust me.

Just remember to put your bike shorts on. During T1 of my first sprint I ripped off my leopard-print thong and then got distracted when a little old lady nearby fainted. Never did find out why she did, but she did.

But the whole episode threw me off my rhythm and I didn't realize until about halfway through the run that I had no clothes on below my waist for the entire bike and run.

Incidentally, I also forgot to take off my helmet after getting off the bike, so I was doing the run with no pants and a bike helmet.

This is all true.

[Brandon]

LOL!! And I thought oxygen debt effected my thinking during a race!

[alison]

I have also seen women wear a sports bra under a swimming suit, for extra support during the run.

For my first few years I only did sprints and wore a two piece Speedo racing suit. I am one of very few women that like to race in a tri brief, as opposed to the shorts, and will wear just a two piece Speedo top with the tri brief for shorter races. I don't opt for the tri top until the race is long enough to require food, then the pockets come in handy.

Alison

[mnowac]

Hmmm, well Matt I can't imagine any of that is true...but if it, holy moly.

As for me, there is no way in H-E-double hockey sticks I would be comfortable running in a bikini bottom or anything like that. I also cannot fathom running in a bathing suit....Although maybe I could get a good sporty bikini and throw bike shorts over it for the bike and running shorts for the run. BUt I think I will check out some 2 piece tri suits that come with shorts. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

[sarajean]

To answer your original question, I don't change at a sprint tri. It takes too much time. I have a one-piece tri suit that's much more comfortable than any swimsuit I own, so I wear it.

[jodi]

I didn't even change during Ironman. Find a combo or trisuit that you can ride and run in and go with it.

:-)

Jodi

[Jack Carney]

If you wear a thong don't forget sunscreen. Sunburned butt cheeks can be a drag.

[rinibry]

i have found it very difficult to change so I eventually got an outfit that I can swim and bike in, anything spandex is tough to put on an already wet body. also anything with a large chamois can get and stay wet for a long period of time making the run feel like you have a wet diaper on. look for tri specific stuff, although usually it is more expensive singlets make you look cool.

[jen]

Where do you go to get those kind of things you are talking about?

[JenCollister]

Bike Authority and Fleet Feet have good selection. Second Sole has some items too.