Article written by Niki Jamieson
We get lots of questions coming in each week asking this very question, so we decided to put together a series of three articles outlining what you should wear during each leg of the triathlon. Triathlon Swimming was featured in week one, Triathlon Bike was featured during week two, and below is all of the information you need to know about what to wear for your Triathlon Run.
What to Wear During the Triathlon Bike Portion of the Race
Be kind to your feet: Be sure that you have moisture-wicking socks for your feet. Always wear socks that fit and do not move around inside your sneaker. Squirmy socks are the leading cause of blisters. Learn more about how to deal with blisters.
Some people walk on the outside of their feet, some walk on the inside of their feet and others distribute their weight directly down the middle. If you are walking on the outside or inside of your foot, you want to find a sneaker that has extra support to force your foot to distribute your weight evenly. Otherwise you risk ankle, knee and/or hip pain.
If you're not sure how your foot distributes weight and you've been experiencing pain, you can ask your doctor or make an appointment with a local Physical Therapist who can evaluate you. A proper diagnosis will lead you to the proper sneaker and a pain-free run!
Remember, running sneakers last for 6 months. You can risk extending the life of your sneaker, but you will also risk injury. There are also sneakers that are better suited for trail running
Dress for the weather: Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather. There are so many kinds of clothing: long sleeved, tank tops, short sleeved, shorts, long leggings. For races, you should wear snug fitting clothing, but for training, you can wear looser fitting garments.
Keep yourself dry: Wear clothing that wicks the moisture away from your skin. Cotton gets wet, heavy, cold/hot and really uncomfortable in long races and training. Clothing that wicks away the moisture will keep you more comfortable through your race. The tag will tell you whether it does or not.
Suggestions for men:
- ASICS Mens Core Run Shirt
- MEN's Pro Bike Shorts Cycling Bicycle Biking
(you'll wear the same shorts you have on from the bike portion)
- ASICS Men's GT-2140 Running Shoe
Suggestions for women:
- TYR Women's Singlet
- Women's Padded Classic Bike Shorts Cycling Bicycle Biking
(you'll wear the same shorts you have on from the bike portion)
- DeFeet AirEator 2.5in White Top Cycling/Running Socks - AIRWHT
(these keep your feet dry and they don't move around inside your sneaker)
- ASICS Women's GT-2140 Running Shoe
(you can wear these for the bike and run or just for the run if you have a bike with clips)
Transition:
- There is NO transition -- just a finish line!
- Finish with guston. Read an article on "How to Cross the Finish Line" to learn some great tips. We bet you learn some important things you never knew!
Learn More: Visit Race Day to learn more about what the actual day is like.
Swim - Get the low-down on wetsuits and swim suits, find info on safe water workouts and read tips for training and events.
Bike -Learn how to structure bike workouts, find safety tips and read recommendations on great bike gear.
Run - Get the ultimate skinny on running sneakers, running gear, safety tips and much more.
Transitions are the times between the swim and bike and the bike and run. Any time you are in the transition area, you need to know how to get through it without wasting time. Here are some suggestions:
- Setting Up Your Transition Spot
- Triathlon Swim Transition (T1)
- Triathlon Bike Transition (T2)
- Triathlon Run Transition - There is no Run Transition, just a Finish Line!
- Race Day Preparation
- The Sweat Test
- Triathlon Race Day Checklist
- Find a Mini-Triathlon Event
- Mini-Triathlon FAQ
- Triathlon Race Day
- Swim Cap Troubles?
- Need to Change a Flat?
- Dealing with Blisters?
- Indoor Triathlon Swim (video)
- How to Avoid A Frightening Start:
Think Out of the Pack (video)
Music: TriathaNewbie.com discourages bikers from wearing any type of headphones for music while training or racing on a bicycle. It impairs a biker's senses and ability to detect potentially dangerous situations.There are too many crazy car-drivers on the road -- Leave the headphones at home.
Cell Phone: If you have a cell phone, you should bring it with you while you are training. You can buy a small pouch that fits on the underside of the seat of your bike and put it in there along with your patch kit and ID. Having a cell phone for emergencies can be a life saver when you break down or you run into a problem.
Sunscreen: Sunscreen
Good Tip: Never use new equipment in a race. Always try new equipment out during training sessions before using in a race.
There are NEWBIES Starting Triathlons Every Day.
Today Just Happens to be YOUR day!
