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?
And just so I'm not guilty of abetting this threadjack:
In every sport at levels other than elite, people with the money to do so, can buy speed and/or performance. Go to any amateur bicycle race and chances are you will see a huge range of equipment. Some will ride aluminum Treks with Shimano 105 and there will be others with carbon Pinarellos with Dura Ace or Campagnolo Super Record.
The point is, that if you're getting beat by someone with superior equipment, you either change your training to get faster or you try the superior equipment to close the gap. If it's important enough to you and you have the resources, you do both!!!
This is a good post, really good.
And just so I'm not guilty of abetting this threadjack:
In every sport at levels other than elite, people with the money to do so, can buy speed and/or performance. Go to any amateur bicycle race and chances are you will see a huge range of equipment. Some will ride aluminum Treks with Shimano 105 and there will be others with carbon Pinarellos with Dura Ace or Campagnolo Super Record.
The point is, that if you're getting beat by someone with superior equipment, you either change your training to get faster or you try the superior equipment to close the gap. If it's important enough to you and you have the resources, you do both!!!
This is a good post, really good.
