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?
Hmmm, I don't think I'll ever agree with that statement.
By the way, I do not find that the suits are quite as "plug-in" as you seem to think. It has taken me quite a long time to get used to how they feel, and to alter my pre-race routine to accomodate them. In fact, people wear them during training or less-important meets largely so that they can get used to any alterations in their stroke mechanics.
Me neither.
And I concur with the lack of "plug in." I wear/wore my B70 and other tech suits at in season meets for this reason. It changes my turns/breakouts somewhat from a poly tank.
I just don't think this is a "bankroll" issue either. Yes, the newest ones are very pricey. But if someone can afford to pay for pools, training time, gym memberships, etc., they can purchase a tech suit. Or forego something else to save for it perhaps, if it's that important to them?
Hmmm, I don't think I'll ever agree with that statement.
By the way, I do not find that the suits are quite as "plug-in" as you seem to think. It has taken me quite a long time to get used to how they feel, and to alter my pre-race routine to accomodate them. In fact, people wear them during training or less-important meets largely so that they can get used to any alterations in their stroke mechanics.
Me neither.
And I concur with the lack of "plug in." I wear/wore my B70 and other tech suits at in season meets for this reason. It changes my turns/breakouts somewhat from a poly tank.
I just don't think this is a "bankroll" issue either. Yes, the newest ones are very pricey. But if someone can afford to pay for pools, training time, gym memberships, etc., they can purchase a tech suit. Or forego something else to save for it perhaps, if it's that important to them?
