Hello,

I am also a plus size athlete working to lose that weight and get healthy. I have said since I was like 12 that I would always like to do some form of a tri. Well as life would have it I am almost 30 and 5'8 - 235lbs, and now really would like to reach this goal. I am currently working with a personal trainer and do cardio 4-5 times a week for 45-1hr. I love to swim and hate to run. Biking is ok, but I don't actually have a decent bike. I was reading through all of these messages and was hoping for some advice as how to actually get started? I am hoping to do a sprint tri this summer, is that even possible? Also, I have no idea about the gear, the transitions, and do I need a wet suit? Can I just show up in my swimsuit and basketball shorts with a tank and do it? I am going to find a few of the books posted, but any other advice? Oh, and I am in Reno, NV so it seems like most of the possibilities are in CA - any suggestions for an easy starting place?

Thanks,
Kelly

I have a friend that completed the LA Olympic distance Tri at 325 lbs. No small feat. He was dead last but got a police escort all the way in with lights and sirens blaring. He was ecstatic to finish.
He uses a hybrid bike, basically a road bike with bigger tires, a mountain bike type handlebar and what we affectionately call "a Barkelounger seat".
All I can say is "Go For It".

Melissa,

Runners and athletes come in all shapes and sizes. You should NOT wait until you lose more weight. If you feel you are ready for the challenge, then I say, "Get out there and do it!"

I am a runner, not a triathlete, and while I have never struggled with weight, I stand on the sidelines at Tri's (watching my husband) and marvel at the sizes and shapes going by. You should wear whatever you feel comfortable in. My husband, who is a runner who happens to do tri's, feels the most comfortable in his running shorts - so that's what he wears. He puts a wet suit over them for the swim (he needs all the boyancy he can get), but just wears his shosrts and racing jersy for the next two legs. Do not feel you need to wear certain clothes and can't compete until you can. He's an awesome athlete and could never fit into one of those one-piece wonders. He's too tall and skinny. He sure does pass a lot of people - especially on the run - who are wearing the "preferred" outfits.

Most running/biking clothes have a ton of stretch. If you invest in some now, they'll probably still fit while you continue to lose. The only thing I wouldn't buy until you are sure of the size is a wet suit - too big a financial investment - but there are tons of people doing tri's without them. Our sons occasionally race with their dad, and neither of them has a wet suit.

The only other advice I'd give as a runner is don't make the mistake of wearing cotton. It will chafe. It will hold the sweat and weigh you down and it will make you cold on cooler days. Invest in a top and bottom in a high tech fabric. You will be glad you did. Also - spend as much as you have to on a good running bra. You can swim/bike/run in it and it will be worth every penny you spend. Finally, don't scrimp on your running shoes. They will keep you healthy by helping you avoid injury which will be cheaper in the long run.

Bottom line - wear what you want, sign up when you want, as long as you are having fun there are no rules about any of that.

Good luck, God bless, and keep us posted.

Melissa:

I am overweight...thus I am an average guy.

Go for it and sign up for whatever race you want....even if you know it will be hard.

I'll tell you this much:
I felt in love with a beauty peagent. She kept saying no and I kept insisting.....eventually... I married her.

Just race, run, swin...do whatever you feel like doing.

One more thing...I've noticed that no one will laugh at you. To the contrary, they will for sure encourage you to keep moving.

One thing I have not seen mentioned on the posts- don't be afraid to register as an Athena/Clydesdale. I started my tri racing as an athena, although many other women could qualify, they didnt enter the weight class- I guess they were hesitant to admit they were 150+- not me! Less competition meant I usually placed, and getting that ribbon was a motivator because I never would have placed in my age group at that point. I started racing in a speedo/swim suit and would just add bike shorts in the first transition and race the rest of the time in that. In sprint races I have even done them in just a speedo. Saves time in transition. Just use some glide or other lubricant to avoid chafing. Biggest thing is to practice in what you will race in and even practice your transitions- changing in and out. Have fun and best of luck.

Hi there..
Great post! I am plus size and am signing up for my first tri this month and was doing some looking online for others like me! I have nooo idea what I am going to do for clothes and everything else so I am planning on doing a lot of websurfing over the next few weeks/months.

If anyone wants to do an email exchange for support or whatever please let me know.

Catherine
CMSinWA@yahoo

Melissa, and all the ladies on this post,

Congratulations, I respect you all. I have never done a triathlon, but I tried a half marathon last fall. I am a guy, 5'8", 165 lbs., by no means overweight. However, in the half marathon last fall, I got to mile 7 and really had to slow down. Then, a woman about 5'4", full figured, wearing hot pink spandex shorts passed me briskly. I don't know her weight but she was definitely heavier than me. Her substantial butt stetched out those pink spandex running shorts and looked like 2 bouncing beach balls! lol I thought, "I can't let her beat me! She is fat and a woman!" She looked older than me, too! Well, I picked up the pace and tried to stay with her. I was behind her for about a mile? Needless to say, I was enjoying the view. I pushed my self to exhaustion and near collapse and had to stop and walk. She kept on running! I was humiliated. She wore me out with her superior stamina and endurance and cleaned my clock! I learned a valuable lesson. Women can be both strong and competitve at any size. Many plus size women athletes are in a lot better shape than me. It's hard to admit, but I will! Good Luck and keep up the pace, you are in great shape and look good too. Jeff, South Carolina