OK, my suit arrived from DeSoto last week and today was the coolest day so far (mid 80’s and raining) so I took it down to the pool.
The suit is what you might term ‘snug’ and I was beginning to think that it was too small, until I got into the water. Once I started swimming though, I couldn’t believe how easy it felt. Level in the water, smooth, fast and almost elegant. There’s a bit of a pull under one armpit now and then, but it’s amazing just how easy it feels to swim. This must be what all those fishy people feel like every time.
I did 2000m, took the suit off as I was overheating quite a bit, then swam a few more lengths. That’s when the difference really became apparent: I felt slow, heavy, and ugly while swimming, the water seemed to really drag against my skin. Now I know my swim is definitely my key limiter, my worst event, but this suit is as near to cheating as I’m ever likely to get.
I did the same open water lake swim twice without a wetsuit last month. 22:00 and 21:49 for the same loop. I did the same swim again a few days, doing the loop twice. This time wore my T1 wetsuit (the only one I’ve tried). 19:30 the first loop, 20:00 for the second. I’d say roughly the same exertion level each time. I can see why some strong swimmers don’t like them in races!
I just finished my first open water swim of the year in my T1 and I feel like I got my butt kicked out there! I swim pool workouts ranging from 3K to 5k three times a week w/o too much fatigue but my shoulders were screaming today. I remember from last year that the adjustment of the top was key. I need to find the sweet spot again!
I just finished my first open water swim of the year in my T1 and I feel like I got my butt kicked out there! I swim pool workouts ranging from 3K to 5k three times a week w/o too much fatigue but my shoulders were screaming today. I remember from last year that the adjustment of the top was key. I need to find the sweet spot again!
Same here. For Vineman, I’m only wearing the bibjohn and putting a tight rashguard shirt on.
