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?
But I'm too much of a competitor to potentially put myself at a disadvantage and I suspect this is a common feeling.
Even if it was like - "I won't if you won't" - and you show up on the blocks and you're not but they are. Bummer.
I have yet to try one of the fastest suits, i.e., a B70 (which sounds like it has some "closed cell" foam properties, which makes it float a bit, a la a wet suit-lite), but I have swum in Aquablades, FS1s, a FSPro that got stolen after the first day, and most recently a Tyr Aquapel.
The latter is actually really cheap now, on sale for less than $60, and I must say I like it as much as the old Aquablade from yesteryear, which I profoundly wish they still made.
Anyhow, it seems to me that what these suits do, especially for us blubberous hirsute types who have no interest in either shaving or full-body Brazilians, is not so much as take seconds off your times as they take years off your life.
When I first donned that Aquablade 8 years ago, then age 48, I did a time in the 100 freestyle I hadn't swum since my late 30s. The next year, I swam the same time in the 200 that I did in highschool.
In a sport like masters swimming, which gives at least the illusion of increased longevity through physical fitness, these suits are an illusionist's best friend. It is for this reason that this self-deluder LOVES them.
PS I am glad to hear that Jim Clemmons loves his B70. Jim, you can beat me, I am quite sure, if you were wearing oversized bermuda shorts and an LL Bean goose down vest. But knowing you had a superior suit on this SCM season allows me to put an asterisk beside my own swims. Three or four suit generations from now, when I can afford a remaindered B70 at www.lightlyusedspeedsuits.com, most likely one that has been touched by the previous owner's "boys" and thus dirt cheap for those of us who can stomach such a thing, well, all I can say at this point, Mr. Clemmons, is....
Watch out!
I voted yes, but I'll continue to wear them as long as rules allow.
Ditto for me.
I just think they are a needless complication and serve no real purpose, possibly other than to convince ourselves we are faster than were really are.
But I'm too much of a competitor to potentially put myself at a disadvantage and I suspect this is a common feeling.
Has anyone seriously thought through or considered buying a swimskin (or even two) and swimming a local meet vs. traveling for a meet ie, banking your $500-$1200 trip cost and spending it on the suit instead? Is that a fair trade off?
No, it's not on the table.
Has anyone seriously thought through or considered buying a swimskin (or even two) and swimming a local meet vs. traveling for a meet ie, banking your $500-$1200 trip cost and spending it on the suit instead? Is that a fair trade off?
I personally don't care for the tech suits, but I don't want to stop others from wearing them. If it helps draw more swimmers to USMS or it keeps existing masters swimmers active in the sport, then the the suits are a good thing. The tech suits also have to be great for vendors which hopefully allows them to support masters swimming.
Tim
Me too!
I was wondering when I read Allen's initial post ... what would most non-swimming spouses/significant others say about the LZR/ultra suit expense?
Not much as long as there is quid pro quo
All I can say Allen is I like my B70 and I'm keeping it.
29 races in it and I'm still dropping time. :bliss:
Me too!
I was wondering when I read Allen's initial post ... what would most non-swimming spouses/significant others say about the LZR/ultra suit expense?
