IMMD: what to wear for a colder day

Nate Parady

Wanted to ask for some feedback on what I should be walking out of the T1 tent.  I'm mainly concerned about the first few hours of the bike.  The run I will maybe leave with a technical shirt tied around my waist or have something warm in my RSN bag. 

The swim is going to be a colder one.  Water temps are probably going to be in the 65 or lower range.  The estimated air temp low for the day is 39 with a high of 59.  The good news is its probably going to be sunny.

I can only hope the swim is manageable.  I've been swimming in my lake which has got to be in the 60s by now.  Wetsuit and a swim cap and after 30 minutes it starts to feel nice.  or am I just going numb...hard to tell.  For the race I may throw on a second swim cap. 

I'm 145lbs:

I'm racing with a bike jersey (tight fitting) and tri shorts.  To this I will add arm warmers (old socks).  I know I need more If its maybe going to be 45 degrees out by the time I get out of the water.

Should I be:

1. In TI, I'm assuming its a smart move to at least spend 10 seconds drying off with a towel.

2.  Wearing a base layer under my cycling jersey?  The Cons to this are if it gets hot, it will be slightly harder to take off. So it would be base layer, cycling jersey, arm warmers.

3.  Wear a Nike Dry Fit warmer top over my cycling jersey.  If it gets hot after a while I can always take it off and tie it around my waist

4.  Just wear a basic long sleeve technical shirt over my jersey.  Can also take it off and tie it around my waist

5.  Do I add a vest over all of any these options

6.  Do I wear Socks?  I'm thinking yes.  I never wear socks.

Honestly, I ride a lot indoors, and when I'm outside its usually hot or at least warm.  Could use some thoughts from some folks who have done some colder morning type of events recently.  what worked.  I'm ok with having to make a pit stop at mile 40 or 56 to dress down.   I'm not ok with being so cold I can't pedal my bike.  I'm also thinking that a cold swim followed by a colder first two hours could result in a bad day.  so my thinking right now is to error on the side of too many layers and having to stop at some point on the bike to remove some layers. 

thanks.

Mark Maurer

I was preparing for an IM once that was supposed to start out cool and someone suggested going to the thrift store and buying a cheap sweatshirt and starting out in that. Then you can just discard it when it warms up. Just make sure you throw it away at an aid station so you don't get a penalty. Same thing goes for gloves. Take an old pair or buy a cheap pair to wear on the bike.

Robert Sabo

I think this is a very personal question as different people respond to cold water and air temps differently. If comfort is important then an extra layer may be better. floppy sweatshirts sound like a bad idea as are wind jackets that look more like sails. Cold water followed by cold air temps can be problematic if one is sensitive to the cold. If you don't mind a few extra minutes in transition or at BSN to shed some layers then wear what will keep you warm without penalizing you from an aero perspective. In IMMt 2014, I wore my EN jacket for the whole ride. I tried that again at IMMoo but got hot and had to remove the sleeves and wished I just had arm warmers. Wisconsin was warmer water which made a big difference and the sun was warm. Have two options that you can make final decision based on AM temps
Good Luck

Steve West

Another cheap option is to put a sheet of Tyvek under your tri-top like a wind proof breast plate. Pull it out and toss it if/when you don't need it or in T2.

Mark Maurer

I just remembered what I did at Challenge Penticton this year when the temperature started out cool, I wore a bike jersey over my EN tri top. It got a little warm when I was climbing the passes, but you shouldn't have that problem at IMMD. I took the top off at T2.

jreville

I just finished IMLou. Water temps were 69. Wore a sleeveless wetsuit and was perfectly comfortable. Outside was upper 40s when I started the bike. I have a few suggestions. First, I also never wear socks on the bike but I did on Sunday. I hate for my feet to be cold. Dry socks were a must for me. Yes, they got peed on but that helped with warmth. Second - I did not wear my tri top under my wetsuit. I wanted a dry top when I started the bike. Took a few extra seconds in T1 to get it on. I also put bubble wrap inside the front of my tri top. That helped a lot. I also put on dry arm warmers in T1. Still was cold for first 15 miles until it hit 60s and we had some sun. Tossed bubble wrap at mile 60 aid station. If I had your predicted weather I would find covers for my bike shoes, and wear a tighter fitting performance top as the base layer. It can always be discarded, and I'll give up a few seconds for comfort. Gloves are a must and I would seriously consider some type of ear warmer if its gonna be upper 30s low 40s and windy. Good luck!

Gordon Cherwoniak

Nate,

For me at 45, sunny and warming I'd go minimal.  For you at 145 how is your cold tolerance and as suggested plan for a cooler temp and slightly warmer. If they are saying 39 and it's slightly cooler than that this could be an issue.  Under these cooler conditions feet, hands and even ears/face can become really cold especially when wet.  I've been so cold during a sprint I warmed up 1/2 way through the 5K (it was close to freezing and I came out of the pool wet) 

For the feet you mention socks if you never wear them do they fit in the shoes?  You could put covers on your shoes as a thin sock will help but if close to freezing the cool air will flow in and your toes could still become very cold.  Alternatively a plastic bag acts as a good wind breaker.  I've utilize this with my runners in -30 and two pairs of socks but this will cause sweat to be trapped in with the foot over a the early hour(s) of the bike.  Also the ends of the bags could be dangerous getting in to the crank/chain. 

If cooler I'd go the extra layer up top given you ride outside when it's arm or hot.  If it's in to the mid 40's and sunny I'd be fine with just a long sleeve over my jersey to start and if approaching 50 I'd not need anything extra but I was 220 at Lake Placid this year so..  One thing you did not mention was your legs.  If it's my cooler version you might want to think about something long to cover the legs and knees but this is another layer where you are sitting. So take some extra lube or have some in special needs but hopefully you can avoid this non-tested option.  I'd be fine in the 40's with just shorts.

 

Jess Withrow

Nate - something JW forgot to mention in his IMWI RR that I thought was pretty awesome - he bought a pair of inexpensive rubberized work gloves for the bike (I think they were less than $10, from Wal-Mart or Target or wherever), and tossed them at an aid station when it warmed up and he no longer needed them. You can see them pretty clearly in a few of the pictures... When I saw him during the race, I didn't even realize they weren't actual bike gloves, and when he told me, well... I kind of love this approach. They're cheap/"disposable," wind resistant, and warm! It kinda seems so obvious that I'm starting to wonder if maybe I'm the only one who isn't in on this trick... and the rest of you are sitting there shaking your heads at the blonde chick who showed up late to the party...

Nemo Brauch

Wind vest or the bubble/tyvek trick or a wind vest is going to be key for IMMD because in addition to 40 degrees, it's gonna be windy coming from the north.

As folks have said, it's highly personal. But for me, high of 58 with 15mph winds means I'm never taking the arm warmers off. So I'd be going with a long sleeve cycling jersey that I put on dry in T1 (full zip, so it's easier than dealing with rolling up arm warmers anyway).

Also- "hot hands" stuffed in my shoes and gloves.

steve Beyer

Nate(or anyone)...... Have never used a neoprene swim cap, do you think this will be in order Saturday?

novaavant

For me if it's chilly the priorities to keep warm are head, hands, feet and something to keep the chill off the chest. You also probably want to stay aero so I wouldn't do big puffy jackets or vests that can catch the wind. I usually just need small things to take the bite out of the lower temps and wind.

Head: Skull cap that you can take off at rest stop will keep head nice and toasty.
Cheap throw away gloves are perfect as mentioned.
Feet: Some toe covers on the front of shoes keep cold air from freezing your feet.
Chest: As mentioned Tyvek against the chest is great for keeping the cool wind from getting through and easy to toss once it warms.

@Steve I've tried the neoprene cap for cold swims at Alcatraz and couldn't use it. It threw off my sense of balance completely and gave me a claustrophobic feeling even with the strap cut off. I used the two cap method in the water that was around 49 degrees and it was plenty for keeping head warm enough to not get the ice cream headache. I think if the water will be around 65 you might over heat in a neoprene cap.

jreville

I've done a a swim in 54 degree water. Wore 2 regular caps to keep head warm and that was all I needed. I would also recommend wax for earplugs to keep cold water out. It was the only time I ever did that and it makes a huge difference when water is cold.

Al Truscott

I'm old (poor circulation) scrawny (BF 5% @ 143#) and have done a few races in all temps, so I understand the concern. I checked the NOAA projections for Fri Night/Sat, and saw 48 F @ 7 AM, in the 50s the rest of the day, dropping back below 50 by the end of the day.  Seems to me the biggest issue will come if you are out (presumably going slowly) on the run after 7-8 PM - 13 hours +? If that's your expectation, something in Special Needs bag like a thin nylon jacket or long-sleeved polypro T Shirt maybe even a thin cycling skull cap and thin full finger gloves would feel grand at that point.

On the swim, I;ve found a neoprene cap makes me too warm unless the temp is below about 60/61. And booties are a real anchor on the feet. Silicon ear plugs seem to help somewhat from a comfort  standpoint. Splashing water on the hands and face a lot before actually getting in is a good idea also. This may be too late, but I switched to a DeSoto 2 piece 10 years ago and got their newest version with thicker (5 mm instead of 2 MM) arms a couple of years back. The lack of a zipper in the neck and the thicker arms as well and the bit of extra thickness around the waist where the top and bottom meet really help me, .

On the bike, as others have noted, a Tyvek or bubble wrap mailer under the shirt covering the chest is great. For riding at race effort levels in the 50s, I think arm and leg warmers are overkill, as would be gloves, even thin ones. But some people start out with tube socks from wall mart with the toes cut off (Coach R always suggests this) and toss when comfortable. At these temps, I don't think there will be enough sweat to make hypothermia an issue.

Riding and running with a sleeved bike jersey is the way I would go. But I have several of the newer "aero" jerseys, which fit tightly without flapping, and have full zips for comfort while running.

I;ve done a lot of "cool" races, e.g. CDA, AZ (some years in the 50s for the first hour on the bike), and Tahoe '13 (34 at bike start). In the 50s, I could ride in my basic race kit and felt just fine once the breeze from riding dried me off, usually about 10-15 minutes. In the 30s, though I needed to (a) dry of with a towel in my T1 bag, (b) find a spot in the sun (not the change tent) and (c) put on arm + leg warmers, tri top, bike jersey, and podium jacket, as well as nylon cycling cap and full finger gloves. But there is a HUGE difference between 50 F and 35F. My observation is people in IMs suddenly lose their memories about what it feels like to ride in Spring/Fall temps, and go way overboard and overdress. It's a race, you are working fairly hard for a long time, and building up sweat under layers at those temps is worse than being a little bit cool while riding, IMO.

As I said before, the biggest issue to me is when you are running with the sun going down and afterwards, as you are probably going at a slower pace and lower effort level than even easy LRP. So you will be COLDER than you anticipate on the run. That;s no fun in the last 2-3 hours, so prepare for that either in T2 or better IMO @ SN.

Keith Wick

Not this past year, but the year before it was fairly cold in Mont Tremblant. I bought a pair of toe covers for my shoes, which allowed me to go sockless. They blocked the wind, which was what I was concerned about and worked like a charm. I would also buy a real pair of arm warmers. They will work better to help keep you warm and if they get wet, they won't become useless like a pair of cotton socks. I also second Nemo's advice of a vest. I wore one that was really thin, but blocked the wind. It was thin enough that it could store in the back pocket of the EN tri jersey, but was great for keeping my core warm.

Wolf Gottschalk

Nate-

Thanks for starting this thread! I've been thinking about this as well. I'm susceptible to the cooler temps (crappy circulation in hands/feet). I did a modified race rehearsal to try this stuff out since our area (Northern VA) was pretty chilly this past weekend. Here's what I came up with and what I have in my Race Plan: 1) swim in tri gear; 2) in T1, quick towel off and then compression tights on for legs (over tri shorts). These are thin and are easy to get on/off). Mock neck compression long sleeve shirt over Tri top. 3) toe covers on shoes and thick (either Thorlo or SmartWool) socks. 4) old pair of running gloves (they're kind of thin with good grip ability). In Bike Bag/BSN/Go Bag (Run Bag)/RSN: arm warmers. These are my backup at any point during the race if I feel like I need to ditch the long sleeve compression shirt but still need to cover up a little bit. I will ditch the compression tights for the run (if I haven't ditched them during the bike yet).

Only other "cold" open water swim I've done was IMAZ in 2013. Water temp was 65 then, but air temp was in the 60's when getting on the bike. No extra cap needed or anything on the feet. For me, 45-50 degrees is cold on the bike and even colder if I'm going to be wet a little at the beginning. The "high" is only going to be around 58-60 and that's going to peak around 2:00p so it's going to start getting colder during the run even though the sun is still out. I guess no need to use HR as a whip...I'll be using the setting sun and hauling to make sure I don't get cold!

steve Beyer

Did 2nd RR in new EN race suit in 50's and got rained on in 1st hr....was cold during rain but ok after dried up, and think would have been much less cold with arm warmers and light gloves.

Based on that I'm leaning toward going the route of normal race suit with arm warmers, gloves, and Tyvek or bubble wrap.....like the option of ditching it later on but I've never used it and have two concerns:
1. Does/will it irritate of chafe?
2. This may sound stupid but....does it interfere with HR monitor transmission?

FWIW....did IMFL last year and can totally agree with what Al said about being even more concerned about cool temps later in the run, than on the bike. Finished bike/run in 9:50:xx but started bike about 1:40 after pros (sent us off based on bib number). Last hour or so was in the dark...was NOT comfortable(would have killed for a light hat, gloves, and even a light top), and broke into uncontrollable shakes almost immediately after taking the finishers photo. Going to have my EN cycling jacket in my RSN bag for this race!

jaleslie

You didn't mention rain.  I hope that's cuz it's not going to rain.  Having just done IMC this year (40's and raining for first 2 hours of bike), I highly recommend waterproof jacket.  The EN cycling jacket is sweet and awesome and all, but it's NOT waterproof!  

The temps you describe for me would require toe warmers, long sleeves (or real arm warmers...not socks), gloves (? fingerless probably), vest or base layer or DRY tri singlet, and I would prefer leg warmers.  I HATE being cold on the bike though.  Just hate it.  (living in San Antonio probably explains that).  IMMD is supposedly flat though.  The problem I had a IMC was I was soaked and it was cold and cloudy.  So every descent was miserable leading to shivering....in the rain...at high speeds...on unknown roads....with other people in similar predicaments  .  

If it had been flat (I was actually looking forward to climbing!), I might have been ok.  What saved me was a volunteer at first aid station (when I stopped to try to stop shivering so I could proceed) who gave me the cheapest, most worthless (until then) plastic trash bag for my torso.  Man...that helped a TON.  So while I have never used the Tivek or whatever, that makes a ton of sense to me for staying warm but also because it can be ditched when not needed.  Pro cyclists use newspapers down their jerseys for cold descents in a similar manner.  

I'd rather be too warm than too cold.  But that's just me.  Hope you find the right combination for you.

JL

jaleslie

You didn't mention rain.  I hope that's cuz it's not going to rain.  Having just done IMC this year (40's and raining for first 2 hours of bike), I highly recommend waterproof jacket.  The EN cycling jacket is sweet and awesome and all, but it's NOT waterproof!  

The temps you describe for me would require toe warmers, long sleeves (or real arm warmers...not socks), gloves (? fingerless probably), vest or base layer or DRY tri singlet, and I would prefer leg warmers.  I HATE being cold on the bike though.  Just hate it.  (living in San Antonio probably explains that).  IMMD is supposedly flat though.  The problem I had a IMC was I was soaked and it was cold and cloudy.  So every descent was miserable leading to shivering....in the rain...at high speeds...on unknown roads....with other people in similar predicaments  .  

If it had been flat (I was actually looking forward to climbing!), I might have been ok.  What saved me was a volunteer at first aid station (when I stopped to try to stop shivering so I could proceed) who gave me the cheapest, most worthless (until then) plastic trash bag for my torso.  Man...that helped a TON.  So while I have never used the Tivek or whatever, that makes a ton of sense to me for staying warm but also because it can be ditched when not needed.  Pro cyclists use newspapers down their jerseys for cold descents in a similar manner.  

I also was happy with the decision to go sockless, but I did put on toe covers (had them already on my shoes).  It allowed my feet to stay reasonably warm (warmer than the rest of me!) and I could still pee on the bike (which was heavenly running down into my shoes to warm my feet periodically....I even alternated sides to be "fair" to both feet!). 

I'd rather be too warm than too cold.  But that's just me.  Hope you find the right combination for you.

 

JL

Anu Rao

I stuck some of those hand warmers on top of my gloves for IMAZ, outside temps were not cold but I have raynauds and my hands were frozen stiff during and after the swim. One body warmer stuck into my bra and I kept an open one in my transition bag so that my clothes would be warm when I got there. It wasn't so much about outside temps being cold, but more to warm up from the swim. Something warm to drink in T1 helps,a small thermos thingy with some broth or whatever.

No booties but wore a neoprene cap for swim, definitely wear ear plugs.

For IM Lou I had cheap wool tube socks to use as arm warmers, super warm and I could toss after the first loop. No gloves my hands were fine, but water temp was 70.

Nate Parady

Hey folks, thanks for all the feedback. Lots of great recommendations.
I will let you all know what I finally decided to go with and how it worked out.

thanks again.

scott dinhofer

A few words on temps & winds from a former racing sailor. The buoy in Cambridge MD shows water temp of 66 right now (8am) this isn't going to change between now & Sunday. This is the same temp or warmer than both IMAZ & IMMT were last year. Very manageable

Winds - the winds will be out of the NW. predicted for 11mph (that is peak) a NW wind in that part of the world is a puffy, dying breeze. There is a very good chance that you will have no wind by the middle of the bike and that your average WS will be around 5-7.Also note that this is indicative of a "dry" day in terms of humidity. 

as for dressing, you have lots of good tips above, check out good will for a cheap drifit top, or see what you can find at walmart. Just remember that anything you "throw away" must be thrown away at an aid station, or you can get a penalty, aside from us calling you a litterbug!



for me, I'd do it with the tri top, arm warmers and a throw away LS drifit top and long finger, summer weight cycling gloves. I'd also probably opt to put on my tri top in transition by grabbing a volunteer. the extra minute here, will make you uber more comfy on the first part of the bike where you set your mental state, that's probably most important, a happy biker, is a smart biker..



for the run, assuming you will be running the whole time, i'd have a dri-fit LS top in my special needs bag.



enjoy it, it's gonna be a beautiful day!

Nate Parady

Thanks scott

Nate Parady

OK folks this is how it played out for me. the predicted Low of 39 wasn't actually the morning of the race but rather that evening. So Al Was spot on that the biggest concern might actually be for the evening runners/walkers. I think it was like 42 degrees in the morning but there was a wind chill that made it feel like 35. That's what the announcers said at least. The good news to all of this was it made getting into 62 degree water (according to the announcer) feel like walking into a hot tub. at least at first. The contrast between the air temp and water temp was unusual for me. but the temp of the water really wasn't an issue until you exited the water and realized, "it was cold".

One thing I didn't ask is what to wear in the morning before the race...glad I had some experience on this one. Some athletes I saw were under dressed from 5am till race start. I had long pants, socks, sandals, long sleeve shirt, winter hat, hooded sweatshirt and I was still cold. I eventually put my wetsuit on and was still kind of cold.

wore just my tri-shorts under my wetsuit, so came out of the water with only a wet pair of shorts on.
quickly toweled off with a hand towel in T1 and place a EN Tri Top, EN cycling Jersey, Arm Coolers, and a pair of socks over the coolers. I also put on socks for my feet. I left the tent with a pair of gloves in my hand but decided I didn't need them as I ran to my bike. Ended up just shoving them down my jersey which worked out nice because they felt warm. I also had another small pair of socks in a jersey pocket and two "emergency" hand warmers as well, in case I needed something to warm me up. I also had a small wind vest in the middle jersey pocket. My third jersey pocket had all my food.

All of that ^^^^, took me 10 minutes to do in Transition. But was totally worth it. I was cold for the first hour of the bike and then was only slightly "cool" afterwards. Never getting Hot or Warm all day on the bike. Only Ditched the Socks off my Arms after mile 80 on the bike.

I elected to go with the tri top under the jersey instead of just a normal tight fitting base layer because the tri top could be zipped down. I wanted zippers on everything I wore in case I got too warm, which I never really did on the bike. The run I was either slightly warm or slightly cool, all controlled by the zipper up or down on my jersey.

I saw lots of people wearing full leggings on the bike and even the run which for me would have been over kill. Maybe for someone finishing after 8pm when the temps really started to come down having leggings in a RSN bag would have been a good idea. If you were out there past 9pm and didn't have something warm on you were probably in a world of hurt and maybe even risk of not finishing.

I finished in 10:57 (3:54 run!!!) which put me at a restaurant at 8pm, a warm shower by 9pm, and in bed by 10pm. My wife and kept talking about the other athletes out on the course hoping they had the right gear on.

Thank you all for chiming in and helping me get across the finish line.

scott dinhofer

@Nate - sounds like you made smart decisions. I was checking this thread as I felt like my advice was for "too warm" of a race giving that the breeze never died!
Looking forward to hearing the full report. Congrats on a great finish!