cold water + vaseline...warm or crazy?

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2005-04-12 4:22 PM

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Subject: cold water + vaseline...warm or crazy?
The countdown to my first ever tri has begun, and I'm getting nervous about everything. Mostly, tho, I am getting nervous about the water that will be colder than I'm used to...honestly it didn't occur to me until recently that 70F water isn't exactly warm. OK, that may not be cold to ya'll but it's freakin FREEZING to me. I live in the south where it's almost never cold and buying a wetsuit seems stupid...and it's way too late at this point anyhow.

A friend who may or may not be knowledgable about such things (used to swim in the Pacific, likes to immerse in mountain streams in November...) tells me I should just put on a thickish layer of oil or Vaseline to help insulate me if the water really turns out to be cold. Any guidance about this from you out there in BT land? A) Will it work? B) Is it legal? C) Would all the other swimmers laugh at me??

I'm going to acclimate as much as possible in the next 2 weeks, but I want to know what I'm in for and if this crazy suggestion might work.


2005-04-12 5:20 PM
in reply to: #141771

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Subject: RE: cold water + vaseline...warm or crazy?
sorry i dont have any advice on the vaseline thing, but in the next two weeks maybe you can find a place where you could rent a wetsuit.   usually get one in the neighborhood of $20-30, and they let you have it a few days ahead of time to try it out before the race.
2005-04-12 6:31 PM
in reply to: #141771

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Subject: RE: cold water + vaseline...warm or crazy?

I'm thinkin' the vaseline would be a MESS in T1.  Every bug or bit of grit that gets up in front of you on the bike is going to stick to you.  Think of the MESS in T2!  Although, you could really avoid a nasty inner thigh rash on the run!

Buy or rent or borrow a wetsuit, if you need it.  If it's a short swim, you might live without it!

2005-04-12 8:15 PM
in reply to: #141771

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Master
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Subject: RE: cold water + vaseline...warm or crazy?
I'm new at this as well but.........sounds nasty to me. Beg, borrow, rent or if worse comes to worse swipe a wet suit. You'll be glad you did.
2005-04-13 1:49 AM
in reply to: #141771

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Subject: RE: cold water + vaseline...warm or crazy?
When I did my first tri last month, the water was around 58/59 degrees. I was wearing a full sleeve wetsuit but I couldn't get my face to go into the water. I had asked this exact question regarding vaseline on my face, right after the race and several people (I believe the more ocean prone like chucky and such) gave me some ideas.

I also posted this question on the USMS board, check this thread out... http://forums.usms.org/showthread.php?s=8a306075df9fdab499f529fc799...

Edited by auto208562 2005-04-13 1:49 AM
2005-04-13 7:37 AM
in reply to: #141771

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Subject: RE: cold water + vaseline...warm or crazy?

www.tribonzai.com

You can rent one on-line for $25.  2 weeks is plenty of time.

Vaseline is a cold water distance swimming thing.  Unless you're going to take 10 minutes to clean up in T-1, you don't want to get on the bike slathered in vaseline- ugh.

2005-04-13 9:47 AM
in reply to: #141771

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Subject: RE: cold water + vaseline...warm or crazy?
This seemed like a bad idea for tri...I believe it was used a lot for things like Channel swims where you don't care if you're a mess afterwards. Thanks for the links, all.
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