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?
Parents
Former Member
I wore the stars and stripes suit. I could never grow the mustache.
For me the problem is this; Because you bought something you are now faster than me. You bought a crutch that gives you a one to two percent drop in time immediately. That drop in time isn't something to sneeze at. Your training didn't give you this. You bought it.
It took time for you to learn how to dive with your cheap goggles. It took time to practice in your fancy pool with high rent. It took time and effort for you to be as fast of a swimmer as you are.
It took no time to wear the cheatin' suit. (except to put the silly baggies over your feet) (( Isn't that enough right there?))
I think that training, skill, and my bad habits should be the factors in my defeat. Not your bankroll.
I wore the stars and stripes suit. I could never grow the mustache.
For me the problem is this; Because you bought something you are now faster than me. You bought a crutch that gives you a one to two percent drop in time immediately. That drop in time isn't something to sneeze at. Your training didn't give you this. You bought it.
It took time for you to learn how to dive with your cheap goggles. It took time to practice in your fancy pool with high rent. It took time and effort for you to be as fast of a swimmer as you are.
It took no time to wear the cheatin' suit. (except to put the silly baggies over your feet) (( Isn't that enough right there?))
I think that training, skill, and my bad habits should be the factors in my defeat. Not your bankroll.
