Sunday will be my first open water swim practice before the big race.  I have tried on my Free Willy wetsuit once, but only before the purchase at All3Sports.

I thought that I probably ought to try it again before heading out to the lake.  The Expert is in Chicago and the kids are in bed.  Perfect timing.  No one is around to watch the spectacle.

Hello TriSlide.  I hear you are the one I am looking for.  Spray spray spray.

Oh, Shamu skin.  You still strike fear in my heart.  I think back to my adventure in Trying on Wetsuits 2011, and cannot, for the life of me, remember how I am supposed to put you on.

I turn Free Willy around the other way.  Still can’t remember.  Something about inside out, and popping the feet through.  Protect the outside neoprene.  Do not tear.  (Check out the Cootie Bug foot in the picture above. Hello, this blog is called Swim Bike Mom – there’s your proof).

This is ridiculous.  I’ve been at this for twelve minutes, and I can’t even figure out how to set-up the suit in order to put it on.  
I turn it around and around.  Ugh. 
Forget the inside-out thing, I can’t figure it out. I am so spatially challenged, it’s not funny. I was the worst at Tetris.  Now, I suck at Orca. 
Spray spray spray spray.   It’s now 8:37.
Oh, and by the way, I also take this opportunity to put on the race day tri-suit courtesy of Louis Garneau.  Sexy, isn’t it?  Sorry, guys, I’m married.  Hold the slew of calls.  I know, I know.  Don’t be disappointed.  You’ll find someone nice, I’m sure. 
Back to Shamu. I look at it like a pair of horrific pantyhose.  Don’t want to tear the pantyhose.  But gotta get those suckers up to get to the party.
Thank you, TriGlide!  Slipping right on up.  A little gentle tugging, yanking and I’m up around the waist.
Spray spray spray the arms.
And boo-yow.  Wetsuit is up! And on! 10 minutes!  Wait…. hold the harpoons.  Thank you.  

Ha ha ha.  How ridiculous.

But here’s what I learned:  I am so glad I tried this suit on before heading to the lake.  I would have started seriously sweating and freaking out if I waited until at the water’s edge and failing to remember how to flip the suit inside out.  I was calm enough in the carpet of my bedroom to work through the issues.

Me and the wetsuit are friends now.  Thank you, TriGlide.

4 Responses

  1. This reminds me…I should probably try my wetsuit on again too 😛 I've really been relating to your posts lately since my first race of the season is the 30th and this will also be my first time wearing a wetsuit during one. Oh the joys of trying not to pull a muscle while getting in and out of a wetsuit. 🙂

  2. Awesome, Elizabeth! Good luck in your race!!! Send pics of the wetsuit & will post! 🙂

  3. Thanks, Mere! I'm sending tons of luck your way as well! You're pretty sly trying to get me to send a pic in the wetsuit for you to post…bahahaha 😀 I will save my public humiliation for race day thank you very much…unless I try it on again and suddenly things seem magically flattering 😉

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