IMKY Swim Help - Wetsuit/Speedsuit

Triathlon Forum
1

So word is that the temps in the midwest being as mild as they have been this summer, and as mild as they’re going to be all week could make the swim at IMKY wetsuit legal. I own both a wetsuit and speedsuit, but am looking for some advice. I’m a terrible swimmer, let me start by saying that. The only time I raced in my wetsuit this year was in May in IL. The swim was only 750 meters and it was a warm and muggy day, but the temps allowed for wetsuits. I swam pretty decent for myself, but was drenched w/ sweat when I was done.
If you owned both a wetsuit and speedsuit, and were a poor swimmer, with a history of getting hot easily and sweating a bunch, what would you wear if the race is wetsuit legal.
Any advice would be appreciated.

2

If you don’t care about giving up time on the swim, you should wear what makes you comfortable. Personally, I hate wetsuits but when the race director forces me to wear one in temps that are questionable, I will wear it and not give up the significant time gains.

I don’t think it will be wetsuit legal but I’ll jinx myself and not pack my wetsuit. All the whiney bitches who want a wetsuit swim in chicken soup can thank me if it works.

3

So what you’re saying is that you want to try something NEW on race day? If your wetsuit doesn’t fit just right, it can cause a lot of shoulder fatigue. Don’t bother, especially if you already have a speedsuit.

4

I have to agree with JDB on that one. And either way it is going to be a warm swim. I know I had a lot of trouble finding water temps for the race 2 years ago except for a few random comments they made in emails, and it ended up being 85 (granted it was a HOT week leading to the race, but they thought all the recent rains would keep it moving and cooler.) So in addition to nothing new on race day, and the race being 3km more than your previous wetsuit swim, I think it is probably not going to be wetsuit legal. Stick with the speedsuit and keep cool for the rest of the day, you will probably gain back the few minutes you lost by feeling better and being better hydrated.