Just did a team triathlon 1K swim and was slower than my pool time. I think it screwed up my kick rythym and I had trouble with breathing. Maybe it was a bit too tight, but overall, I think I would have been better without.
I noticed the fastest swimmers had no wetsuits.
If you are only swimming and don't have to save the legs, do all agree that you should leave the wetsuit at home if the water temp is good?
I did alot of training in the pool for this event and I am really bummed that I wore it.
I really don't like wearing my wetsuit. I wore it for a one-mile lake swim this year, and it really hurt my back. I have L4/L5 issues anyway, and I think the wetsuit makes me too buoyant, so it puts my back out of alignment. Plus, it is very tight in the chest. I feel like I can't breathe half the time. After that experience, I decided no more wetsuit unless it is absolutely necessary for cold water. With that in mind, I did the 4.4 mile Chesapeake Bay Swim without my wetsuit this year. I was really glad I did too, because I noticed something else. The currents were really strong, and without the wetsuit, I was able to "feel" the changing currents against my legs and react to them in a more timely manner. Plus, I feel like I KICK better without it. I don't have to work so hard to get the propulsion, if that makes any sense. I think I am maybe a little slower without the wetsuit, but to me it is worth the trade-off to be able to breathe and kick and not have a sore back. I finished the swim, and I am not sure I would have if I had worn the wetsuit.
The big test will come this September. I am going to do the Alcatraz swim and am seriously considering not wearing the wetsuit. It is only 1.5 miles, and the water will be cold, so I am taking it with me, but will decide when I get there. Still not sure what I will do on that one. I would love to do it without a wetsuit, but I probably won't decide that until I get to SF and see how the water is. Anyone out there have any recommendations for/against a wetsuit for Alcatraz? It will be my first time.
I really don't like wearing my wetsuit. I wore it for a one-mile lake swim this year, and it really hurt my back. I have L4/L5 issues anyway, and I think the wetsuit makes me too buoyant, so it puts my back out of alignment. Plus, it is very tight in the chest. I feel like I can't breathe half the time. After that experience, I decided no more wetsuit unless it is absolutely necessary for cold water. With that in mind, I did the 4.4 mile Chesapeake Bay Swim without my wetsuit this year. I was really glad I did too, because I noticed something else. The currents were really strong, and without the wetsuit, I was able to "feel" the changing currents against my legs and react to them in a more timely manner. Plus, I feel like I KICK better without it. I don't have to work so hard to get the propulsion, if that makes any sense. I think I am maybe a little slower without the wetsuit, but to me it is worth the trade-off to be able to breathe and kick and not have a sore back. I finished the swim, and I am not sure I would have if I had worn the wetsuit.
The big test will come this September. I am going to do the Alcatraz swim and am seriously considering not wearing the wetsuit. It is only 1.5 miles, and the water will be cold, so I am taking it with me, but will decide when I get there. Still not sure what I will do on that one. I would love to do it without a wetsuit, but I probably won't decide that until I get to SF and see how the water is. Anyone out there have any recommendations for/against a wetsuit for Alcatraz? It will be my first time.
