[StacyK]

I just signed up for a tri through Team in Training and have several friends who have also completed tri's (much support!). Apart from being a little scared about the bike (I do mountain bike, but not skinny tire), I am concerned about the fact that I cannot see without contacts. I do have glasses, but I lose peripheral vision and become easily dizzy when I must wear glasses.

My question-- Goggles? Anyone out there wear contacts and has had success in wearing goggles without losing a lens or getting a weird eye fungus? I need something while training and for the event itself.

Friends have suggested anything from swimming blind, then go to prescription sunglasses to wearing prescription goggles and glasses to just roughing it and going blind the whole race (great friend). Lasik was also suggested, but I am really freaked out about that one.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Stacy

[rjanik]

Didn't see any replies, so I thought I'd write something.

Lasik, if you can afford it, do it. I did it 6 years ago and it's awesome being able to see all the time.

Glasses, I think you are allowed to have someone hand you your glasses when you get out of the water. This would help you find your bike. If you have prescription sunglasses, you can switch when you get to the bike.

Swimming blind, pretty much what happens anyway. Can't see more then a foot in front of you when your heads in the lake water anyway. Direction is important though, so you need to be able to see something out there, maybe other people.

[jgeldner]

I ALWAYS swim with contacts (and goggles)...if your goggles fit well, it shouldn't be a problem - if you're swimming in open water and some water does get in, I'd ditch them after the race, so always bring an extra set!

[rahay]

My son and I have both gone to the swim mask rather than the goggles. There are several brands. We have both chosen the Aqua Sphere. My goggles always leaked, with these I have very little leakage and even after getting kicked in the side of the head by a breast stroker (visibility was crap)they did not come off or leak.

I always try them on before I buy!

Cheers!

[c-ris]

I haven't done a tri yet, but I always swim competitively with my contacts and Swedish goggles (the plastic kind with no padding). The only problems I've had are when my goggles came off. That just sucks. I lost both that day. Anyway, just do it and make sure your goggles are tight enough that no water will get in. Well, duh.

As for eye fungus, I've never even heard of anyone getting an eye fungus. Don't worry about it.

Hope this helps

Chris