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?
Chris- Thanks for shedding light on me with those reasons. I hadn't thought of those, not being a guy.
Charged- I'll be honest with you, I don't feel like I have an advantage. The
B70 has been around for almost a year now (if not more). Anyone could have bought one.
I didn't try it until last Oct when I wore it at our SCM Champs. It ripped in two places (one seam w/poor stitching, and a hole that I had to use duct tape to repair it- LOL!). I gave it back to Roque and never bothered to follow up getting another one. It's my fault. Even though he's a teammate and friend (and our daughter's are friends)- he can't give us what he doesn't have. If I would have pursued it back in Oct. I'd be set.
I guess I'll just have to count on my training to see me through- hmm, how novel! :D
Chris- Thanks for shedding light on me with those reasons. I hadn't thought of those, not being a guy.
Charged- I'll be honest with you, I don't feel like I have an advantage. The
B70 has been around for almost a year now (if not more). Anyone could have bought one.
I didn't try it until last Oct when I wore it at our SCM Champs. It ripped in two places (one seam w/poor stitching, and a hole that I had to use duct tape to repair it- LOL!). I gave it back to Roque and never bothered to follow up getting another one. It's my fault. Even though he's a teammate and friend (and our daughter's are friends)- he can't give us what he doesn't have. If I would have pursued it back in Oct. I'd be set.
I guess I'll just have to count on my training to see me through- hmm, how novel! :D
