IMFL water may be warm… I’m pretty certain it’ll be legal for suits, but I’m considering not wearing one. I’ve never liked the way mine squeezes my chest. I wore it last year at IMWI when the water was mid to high 70’s and I think I dehydrated on the swim a good deal.
Anyone have an opinion on wearing or not wearing a suit during an ocean IM swim?
Note: my IMWI time was 1:10, but I’m going slower next week. (overall goal sub 14)
Thanks for your help.
Just curious, but since IMFL is a two loop swim, I wonder if it is legal to take your wetsuit off between the two loops. Technically, since there is an aide station (water station) when you come out of water after the first loop, it would not be considered abandoned equipment. I believe you can legally toss equipment w/i certain proximity of an aide station.
Honestly, If I committed to a wetsuit at the beginning of the race, I would continue with it on for the duration of both loops. But, I was just curious if its considered a rule infraction if you take it off after the first loop.
Keep an eye on the overnight lows/dew points for race day. If it’s going to be 49F (current forecast) at the start of the race, the wetsuit should be fine. If it’s like 62 or higher at the start of the race, you’re looking at a high humidity situation for this time of year and you’re getting to the point where you’d be better without if you tend toward dehydration.
One of my best swims came when the water was barely wetsuit legal. I just determined that I would stroke long and smooth and concentrate on body line and efficiency. I geared my warm up as such. I enjoyed the hell out of that swim.