Can’t decided if I’m going to gain more time by wearing the suit or lose too much getting it off. I don’t take too long in transition, but it’s such a short swim. The other thing I’m thinking is the jersey factor - getting it on after the swim could take as long, if not longer than taking the suit off. Thoughts? I’ve done 0 sprints in 2 years and can’t decide on this.
Well, most people swim about 10 sec per 100 faster in a wetsuit (full), so assume a 50 sec faster swim. Also, wear your trisuit under the wetsuit! There is no putting it on in a Sprint! If it takes an extra 15 secs to get the suit off, you gain 35 secs? Rough estimate. I’ve certainly lost placings in a Sprint for less than 30 secs.
Oh yeah…sorry, I meant if I were to go without the suit, I’d need to throw the jersey on in transition, which could be a pain in the ass.
Ah, right. That does suck! I struggle mightly when wet getting on a jersey - looking like I’m getting stung by bees all over ;0. A one piece tri suit goes on quick though right over some speedos if you go that route (esp for a short Sprint). But in general, wear the wetsuit …
cool thanks. i have no idea how “fast” i can go, so i’m looking for those extra seconds. this one is gonna hurt, but should be fun.
I would not wear it.
now you’re making it difficult. i’m leaning towards wearing it, but it may be a sign that austin79 posted. i lived in austin for years and was born in '79…great city.
I would not wear it and swim in whatever you are going to do the rest of the race in. If a tri jersey, it should be tight fitting, no, and not flapping around.
clm
Well there ya’ go! I also gleaned some more info from your posts. If you aren’t sure how fast you will go, then I’m thinking the 30 secs you may have from wearing the wetsuit probably won’t matter much. Just wear a nice one piece tri suit if you have one and go! Gunning for an AG win? Every sec counts in a Sprint - hassle or otherwise.
If you are putting stuff on in T1, then you did not dress correctly. What ever I wear on the bike or run is already on and under my wetsuit.
(Assuming a non IM distance race). I clearly would wear the wetsuit. Time is faster, effort is less, and one should easily be able to get the suit
off within 10 to 15 seconds. I know on my T1, I take the top off while I am running. And, I have the bottoms half way off by the time I hit T1.
Dave
OK, then… 500 meters is <10min in the water. And the water is 7 degrees warmer than Barton Springs. 7 degrees is a big difference. You will be totally fine.
It would depend on how much you gain with the suit. My skinny body does not float, so it makes a big difference and I start shivering in 75 degree water, so that would be a no-brainer. I wore my at a recent sprint and added maybe 10 seconds pulling it off. I’m sure I gained at least a minute or more wearing it.
A friend who is stronger at swimming wore his and proceeded a competitor out of the water, but the other guy did not have one and made it out of T1 first.
Chad
Wear the wetsuit and get the 50 or so second advantage. It shouldn’t take you much longer than 15 seconds to get it off in transition so you will be faster overall.
For races without wetsuits I go without a jersey for the swim and then put on my full zip sleeveless in T1. Full zip is the way to go in that situation.
I use the Oomph Ali full zip
http://www.trisports.com/oomealfuzip.html
jaretj
yeah i’ve decided to wear it. i don’t have a nifty one piece suit, so i’d have to throw on the jersey after the swim. that or deal with the pockets catching water. i haven’t done a sprint since my first few races 2.5 years ago, so don’t know how i’ll fare against the other cats out there, but i’ll take 30 - 45 seconds.