I think we can all be certain that the suits are here to stay -- love them, hate them, it does not really matter -- Speedo, TYR and the others will not allow the suits to all over sudden disappear.
But, we as Masters swimmers have to make a decision about our own reasoning to compete -- why do we compete in swim meets ?
There are many reasons - social, participating in a sport beats the hell out of watching one on TV and so on --- but for me, 2 of the main reasons are the competition aspects. We obviously compete against other swimmers --- but more than maybe many other sports, we compete against ourselves. I can tell you my best 100 Free from every season over the last 30 years (10 of which I did not compete).
I have used most of the suits and did very well -- I set some personal bests and also achieved some record swims, but I have no idea how my times really compare to other seasons. I can keep telling myself that all that speedwork and lifting paid off - but I just don't know.
I like to give a golf comparison -- let's say you have a home course and you always shoot in the low 90s going from the Blue Tees --- well guess what, if you are going from the white tees you will probably average high 80s and going from the red you may get down to the mid to low 80s. But you are not a better player because of it. The LZR seems to be the "white tees" and the new Jaked suit may be the "red tees".
I think we really have to make a decision now to what matters more -- your personal records and history of swimming or the competition against other swimmers ? For me, this may change from meet to meet - but I must be able to stay honest with myself and be able to compare my times -- I do not want to be cheating myself.
Old generations suits (Fastskin Pro) only for: all major Masters meets (individual swims) except for Worlds. That means, I am ok to lose a few places in a meet, in order to know what my time really means. I could just go really old school -- but I think the older generation suits are pretty equal to shaving -- and they allow you to be "shaved" and swim fast in season, which is a huge plus.
LZR / Blue70 for: relays, Worlds and maybe some USS meets, if I am going for a time standard. I want to give any relay my fastest time possible - I swimming Worlds to win the title, so if others use the suits, I will have to do the same - if I go to USS meets, I may use them to get into the finals or to make a time standard for a big meet.
It may take some adjustments - but I think it will work --
Who is with me ?
I don't understand why it is such a big deal if the technology is there and it is legal. Why not buy the best that is out there? It is simply a matter of priorities. If somebody wants to spend a bunch of money for the best suit and it is a high priority, it is that person's right and it is his/her business.
When I did triathlons, I held off on buying racing wheels for a long time. People kept saying, "Why don't you buy them? You will have a much faster bike split." At the time, I was just getting into triathons and wasn't sure I wanted to sink money into the wheels. I also didn't feel that at the level I was at, that it was worth the difference. Once I really got into the tris, however, I wanted to be the best I could be, especially since I was taking so much time to train for one! I got a coach and bought some racing wheels. Yes, the wheels made a difference on my speed. Not huge, but enough to change my placing in triathlons. I won one race overall by 1 second. I'm sure I could not have done it without the racing wheels. Should I feel bad about this?
The same situation is presented with the tech suits. If you want to be the best that you can be, and if getting PRs, records, or wins is a priority, is it such a big deal to get the best equipment available?
I don't see why a swimmer should feel guilty/uncomfortable about achieving a best time in a B70 or an LZR any more than a biker should feel guilty/uncomfortable about winning a race with the lightest bike on the market and the best-made racing wheels available.
For the record, I do not own a B70 and an LZR. I got a top ten time last year in 50 fly without one. I've got a B70 on the way simply because I figure, "why not?"
I don't understand why it is such a big deal if the technology is there and it is legal. Why not buy the best that is out there? It is simply a matter of priorities. If somebody wants to spend a bunch of money for the best suit and it is a high priority, it is that person's right and it is his/her business.
When I did triathlons, I held off on buying racing wheels for a long time. People kept saying, "Why don't you buy them? You will have a much faster bike split." At the time, I was just getting into triathons and wasn't sure I wanted to sink money into the wheels. I also didn't feel that at the level I was at, that it was worth the difference. Once I really got into the tris, however, I wanted to be the best I could be, especially since I was taking so much time to train for one! I got a coach and bought some racing wheels. Yes, the wheels made a difference on my speed. Not huge, but enough to change my placing in triathlons. I won one race overall by 1 second. I'm sure I could not have done it without the racing wheels. Should I feel bad about this?
The same situation is presented with the tech suits. If you want to be the best that you can be, and if getting PRs, records, or wins is a priority, is it such a big deal to get the best equipment available?
I don't see why a swimmer should feel guilty/uncomfortable about achieving a best time in a B70 or an LZR any more than a biker should feel guilty/uncomfortable about winning a race with the lightest bike on the market and the best-made racing wheels available.
For the record, I do not own a B70 and an LZR. I got a top ten time last year in 50 fly without one. I've got a B70 on the way simply because I figure, "why not?"
