I am just back from the SPMA meet where all the top finisher were wearing the latest generation tech suits,mostly B-70s(or were named Jeff Commings.)I have here to for been in favor of the suits,but now I am not so sure.First,they eliminate the old bench marks.I went my fastest 100m BR in 5 yr in my LZR,but it was only .3 sec faster than I did untapered 5 wk earlier in my first swim in the LZR.So was my swim good or not,I'm not sure.Also,instead of focusing on technique or pace I found myself ruminating over aspects of the suits,how many more swims did the suit have,is it the right size,was the reason I didn't get better results from my B-70 because it was too big?etc.The B-70 has somewhat mitigated the "too expensive,not durable" problem,but for how long.
Lets say a company comes up with a suit that is much faster,say 4 sec/100.Further that it is very expensive(say $1000) lasts 4 swims and is very hard to make so that quantities are always limited and the fastest way to get one is to bid up to $3000 on ebay. Now lets say your nemesis has one,or that getting one is your best chance to get TT or AA or a ZR or WR,or that your child is close to making JO cuts,or finally beating his/her nemesis etc. Is it worth it and where does it stop?
Do any guys still show up at a meet (any USMS meet) with just a plain old brief?
I'm thinking of doing a meet in 2009, but I haven't done a meet since USMS Nationals was here in AZ (a few years, maybe 2003 or 2004). I don't own any swimsuits other than briefs and drag suits (or board shorts). Will I look out of place?
While I understand that a tech suit will get me faster, I just can't rationalize spending the money on one....I'd rather use that for my travel budget.
Yes, maybe half of the males still swim in briefs at Pacific meets, including championships. In fact, I swam a 500 in one (just to get used to the walls) at a meet in Monterey last year then changed into a tech suit for a 1000 that took place about an hour later.
Do any guys still show up at a meet (any USMS meet) with just a plain old brief?
I'm thinking of doing a meet in 2009, but I haven't done a meet since USMS Nationals was here in AZ (a few years, maybe 2003 or 2004). I don't own any swimsuits other than briefs and drag suits (or board shorts). Will I look out of place?
While I understand that a tech suit will get me faster, I just can't rationalize spending the money on one....I'd rather use that for my travel budget.
Yes, maybe half of the males still swim in briefs at Pacific meets, including championships. In fact, I swam a 500 in one (just to get used to the walls) at a meet in Monterey last year then changed into a tech suit for a 1000 that took place about an hour later.
