Swimwear help - combining running/swimming - YouLookFab Forum

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Swimwear help - combining running/swimming

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Is there anyone else here who combines running and swimming??

I have recently (read I have done it twice) gone jogging and then swimming (in the ocean) straight after jogging to cool down/pretend to mimic a biathlon. I don't have the right gear for it though and need some recommendations.

Currently I have only one swimsuit - a tankini that I bought at least 3 years ago that is already too stretched out for comfort. Here's a picture of it in 2007 when it was much newer and less stretched (and before the bra pad inserts had fallen out and gotten lost!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/y.....391551139/

(please excuse embaressing swimwear pic)

As there's absolutely no boob support, what I'm currently doing is putting on a sports bra under this, and then a tshirt and jogging shorts over the top. After the jog I'm taking off tshirt and shorts and swimming in the suit with unsightly sports bra showing through underneath. Not ideal!

I think I need to get a more sporty swimsuit but I don't know whether that would be enough to jog in alone, without a sports bra. Does anyone have any swimsuit brand recommendations for this? I have tried on some Speedos, but even sizing up they all feel too short in the torso for me. Are there any sporty and supportive tankinis or longer bodied one pieces out there that might work?

tam

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Queen Mum

Veteran

are you opposed to just swimming in your running bra and shorts? I did a triathlon last year and that's what I did.... not terribly fashionable but it works.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for your advice queenie! I'm afraif that I'm way too embaressed to only wear a bra in the water though. No way I want to expose my flabby tummy to the world!!!

And good on your for doing triathlons! My flatmate has just started as well. I'm so impressed! That's what I'm aiming for but I think it will be a slow process for me

anne

Veteran

No real answers but a good question Tam.
I do both swim and run but not consecutively! In fact the whole getting changed between thing is one reason I am not keen on the idea doing triathlons.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

There are suits used by triathletes for swimming and running. I bought mine from a local swimming company, but I found it from Googling triathlon gear wear. It was worth the cost because it kept everything where it needed to be.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Hehe anne I hear you. For a long time I would go for a jog and then tell myself I'd go home, get changed and then swim. Once you're home it's hard to leave again though, so I need to find a better way around that!

Kristen wow I don't know if I'm ready for a proper triathlon suit but that certainly sounds ideal. Not sure if I'd feel comfortable running wearing just that. Do you pop a t-shirt on over the top too?

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Ok I'm spamming my own thread now, but I've done a bit of googling and come up with a possible solution. What do you guys think about a combo of triathlon-singlet, and running shorts?

http://www.ezisports.com.au/pr.....nglet.html

http://www.ezisports.com.au/pr.....horts.html

And then I guess I would get a pair of black swimwear bikini style bottoms to wear underneath? Weird that they don't seem to have them on the same website!!!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I think the idea (from looking at the site) is that you would wear the longer shorts or the one-piece, not regular, shorter bottoms. The reality is if you are racing swimming comes first and so you are wet the rest of the time, so you want longer shorts so you don't chafe.

Tam I did put on a t-shirt when I ran, but I probably wouldn't do it again (IF I did it again, which is unlikely). I just dragged me down and I looked like a sack of wet cement when I was done. I forgot people might be taking photos of me as I miraculously crossed the finish line, LOL!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Haha Kristen I can't picture you looking like a sack of wet cement at all!!! But what about when you just go running/swimming at home?? I always run first, which I know is the opposite to a race. But I figure I'm not racing so I can do whatever I want!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I don't do both exercises at the same time so it isn't an issue for me. But I would probably get longer shorts anyway, just because I don't like to run in short shorts. That's my personal preference, you should go with what you are comfortable with! That's all that matters, the comfort.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

OK I think I can experiment with shorts as the last layer afterwards....might go for the singlet top first. Realistically I should leave this till after I move to Melb though....get my priorities (and finances) straight!

danielleCT

You definitely should be able to find what you are looking for in triathlon gear. Zoot is my favorite triathlon brand, it tends to run small, but their tops have the longest coverage. TYR is my second favorite brand, and they are true to size. They're fairly decent on support, at least for me at at a B cup, and I've done the half marathon portion of triathlons in all of these tops (although I prefer to do everyday runs in proper sports bras).

stringy

Veteran

I have a Seafolly two-piece (well, separates) that's boy-leg shorts and a tank with built in bra cups. If I enjoyed either running or swimming, I'd be happy to do both in it, but I don't require much support. Not sure if it'd do the trick, but shouldn't be hard to find in a store to try on and see if it works for you.

Speedos are definitely cut on skimpy side, I'm slim and still haven't bothered with them for years because of it.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I did quite a few triathlons and similar events before I left NZ. They are lots of fun and a great way to get fit! I am not quite at the same level as my sister and her fiance though - they compete in half and full ironman competitions!

I would recommend that you look at a specialist brand such as Orca or Ironman. They might be more expensive than you would otherwise consider, but it will be worth it for the comfort factor. If there is a major triathlon or ironman event near where you live, they often have stalls etc and a lot of this type of gear is on special.

Orca is the brand that I am most familiar with and make tops such as this - http://www.orca.com/product/22.....et-female1

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Thanks ladies!! I knew I'd find a wealth of experience here!! I'm going to check all those brands out once I'm in Melb I think. Who knows maybe I'll even finda shop there where you can try things on in person!!

Queen Mum

Veteran

haha, tomorrow I'm going to combine running and swimming at the same time-- it's pouring here. Just had to share that!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Hehe Kim good on you for getting out there and doing it anyway though!!

Anonymous

What a cute picture!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Haha San - thanks! A bit embaressing but nice to look back on fun times!!!

anne

Veteran

I am sure you'll find a triathalon shop in Melbourne. I have a neck to ankle long sleeve swimming suit by Orca, bought for my by my generous little brother, so I can second it as a brand. (Not that I could run in it though!)

Isabel

Veteran

Hi Yublocka, you look so happy in your picture , who cares about your boobs!

Take a look at athleta.com. They have "performance " swimsuits which go nicely with your faux-biathalon : )

Titlenine.com also has great stuff.

Finally, Landsend.com always has great suits.

Good luck !!!!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Anne, what do you use you swimming suit for? Snorkelling etc?? SOrry I'm just nosy!

And thanks for the further recommendations Isabel. I will def. check out all these brands when I have more time/$$$. I just found out I need to pay for medical registration in Victoria where I will be working this year as well as NSW......*another* $415......ouch!!!!!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I know you've gotten lots of great responses, but here's a good resource.
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/usaen.....Tri/Women/
My sister is a tri athlete and this is what she wears.
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/usaen.....-Fit-Short
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/usaen.....e-Tri-Tank
She doesn't change between events. The shorts are long enough for running and cycling, but they are snug enough that they don't get in the way during the swim.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Sarah!! Wow I have a lot of reading to do now.....sweeeet

anne

Veteran

Tam, I have just looked up the orca site and the garment I have is categorized as a triathalon wetsuit.
Look what they say about it!!! http://www.orca.com/category/apex-21

I am going to use it in a couple of weeks for a longish distance swim event (a couple of miles, 3.6km)