racing in colder weather - need help!

jimmy augustine

 So out of nowhere the tems have dropped in south texas. I am racing austin 70.3 tomorrow morning and need some advice.

Right now the forcast is for 45 degrees when I hit the water, between 47 and 54 while on the bike and then into the lower 60's on the run.

The water will still be warm an I will wer a wetsuit but I guess I am concerned about the bike. Do I wear a jacket? Gloves with fingers?Will I warm up once I get going?

The run will be pretty near perfect but I need to get there first!

ebe4zippy

Jimmy,
You are living the dream!!!
I would get yourself a set of armwarmers (not coolers...they are actually different...from personal experience ) and a pair of full finger gloves for the bike (go get some cheap ones at a gas station so if you throw them away at a bottle exchange it is no big deal) You may want toe covers if you are not wearing socks. You should generate enough heat with your helmet on to not need a hat. I am sure the vendors will be bringing out as much of this stuff as they can, but maybe someone from EN knows an LBS around there that can hook you up.
I have raced in these conditions way more than in the heat, so it wont kill you, only make you stronger
Good Luck!!!

jimmy augustine

got it. Disposable gloves, toe warmers and arm warmers (got those. I think that I have worn them all of once...)
I live about 90 min from austin. i will check with lbs before I hit the road.
thx!

mussonag

Well, it kinda depends on your tolerance for cold! And the water temperature... I did Leadman Bend where the water temp was in the low 50s and the air temp was in the low 40s when I came out of T2. I wore a pair of armwarmers and full finger gloves and was fine after about 10 miles of the bike. However, if I were to do it again, I would have worn jacket or vest because I was shaking for those first 10 miles!

Remember, you can always take off clothes on the bike. It is better to lose 20 seconds taking off a jacket and stuffing it in your jersey than to be miserable the entire race because you are freezing! As long as it doesn't get in your way while riding or overheat you, layer up! +1 on the cheap gloves that you can toss at an aid station. Some folks do that with arm warmers (tube socks with the toes cut out).

Kick butt tomorrow and enjoy your race!

Spokane_Al

I have raced in those temps, and found that without adequate clothing, I absolutely froze on the bike. I would highly recommend gloves and long sleeves. Gloves will help allow you to shift gears a bit better.

My bigger problem was that my feet were so cold on the bike, I found it hard to concentrate on power and effort. The water dripping into my shoes combined with the wind chill was brutal. You may want to consider toe warmers and/or socks.

My feet were so cold it took a couple miles into the run before they felt normal. Those first miles on the run were tough.

GMAN 19030

Gotta love Texas weather this time of year. Last year it got up to 90 degrees during the Austin 70.3. This year it's going to be chilly.

Arm warmers, toe covers and full finger gloves should do the trick. The run from the lake to T1 is going to suck. Assuming you're adept at removing your own wetsuit I'd suggest bypassing the wetsuit strippers and taking off your wetsuit in transition. Two reasons - 1) The area with the wetsuit strippers is dirty and you'll be covered in dirt/mud if you lay on your back (I know this from experience) and 2) it'll keep you warm for the run to T1.

Bruce Thompson

Arm warmers, full finger disposable gloves, cycing vest over your tri-top.  As it gets warmer, you can take off the vest and put it in you back pocket, roll up the arm warmers so your forearms are exposed, toss the gloves at an aid station...Socks for sure. 

jimmy augustine

went w arm warmers and toe covers. worked fine. temps started at about 48 and climbed to about 52.
One problem that I did not anticipate though: Toe covers kept my shoes from draining. At all. If you get my point...

Dino Sarti

Next time -

Get one of the those plastic-ish envelopes from the office store. Get the 10"x"11" size. You know, the big one that looks like paper, feels like paper and is a bit waxy and stronger than paper. Jam this in the front of your tri top. It will block the wind just like big rig trucks cover the radiator in cold temps. Once you warm up ditch your $0.25 investment at the first legal opportunity.

It's like a cheap, dispose wind vest....

And - yuck! on the toe covers....

jimmy augustine

Thx Dino! That would have helped.
And on the toe covers, I think I could have poked holes where the drain holes were in my shoes.