I've got long, straight hair (with a few layers cut into it) which I normally wear in a ponytail for running, loose for cycling and stuffed into a cap for swimming.
I don't want to be faffing around with it on Sunday when I've got my first tri. Can anyone give me a solution as to what to do with it on the day? Thanks.
Comments
I put mine in a french plait for IMDE and it stayed in all day.
Meldy and Melli do a regular plait cos their hair is longer.
hth
Thanks Mouse - I thought someone might mention plaits - I think they look good but don't know how to do them. Is a French plait one big one that starts at the crown and the other option 2 small ones? Any tips for plaiting? My hair is v fine and silky (slippery). What's hth BTW?
Cake - if I tie it back, I can't get my helmet on because there's a bunched-up bit.
French one starts at the crown and is better for integrating layers as you pull the hair in as you go along.
Regular plait just starts at the nape of the neck, thus hair must be sufficiently long enough. I think yours is too short.
I think if you can't plait, you won't learn by Sunday.
Your best bet, then, is low pig tails.
If it's any consolation, I have done several races where my pony tail was too high and then had to take it down in T1 cos I couldnt' get it under my cycle helmet.
hth - hope this helps
(or happy to help)
French braiding is not really rocket science, can't you just practice a bit?
Here's a video on what to do. The woman is a bit annoying, but you'll get over it. BTW, it's much easier if your hair is wet - the sections stay together (and seperate from the rest of your hair) a lot easier.
Otherwise, you could just put several hairbands into your ponytail, spaced out maybe an inch apart? That would hold it together more.
Also, IMO, if you wear your hair down for cycling, there's no way you have "long" hair!
I band it in the nape of my neck.
I did once put a high one on and had to yank it out to get my helmet on... (idiot !!)
This probably a daft (and unpopular!) question, bur if your first tri is Sunday and your hair is an issue, why haven't you tried different methods out before now?
FWIW, I plaited mine when it was longer and put it into a high pony tail now - my cycling helmet is adjusted to accommodate it!
Thanks everyone for the useful suggestions. I'll give all of them a try and see which works best for me.
Flyaway - it's halfway down my back but I am so rubbish with my hair that I just push it to the back of the helmet and sometimes it gets a bit caught up in the ear area straps.
fetishism at it's best
Jeez, I thought it was a faff having bobbed hair. It permanently looks sh*te at the moment, was considering growing it so I could tie it up, but this thread's just made me think going shorter would be better!
Good luck with the tri Parklife!