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 ?
Guys ( and girls) - it's a discussion forum. I only express my very subjective opinions and try to see what other people think on the same subject - nobody said anything about world peace and nobody is losing any sleep over this.
About the progress argument --- swimming is different than cycling and tennis and many other sports. You are racing against the clock as much as you are racing against other swimmers. I can swim a 50 Free in my pool and compare exactly against the 50 Free Mike Ross did last week and compare it exactly against the swim I did last year. There are not many other sports where you can do that. I have no idea if Rafa Nadal is playing better this year than last year. But I can tell you exactly that Bousquet swam a 21.53 last year and now swam a 20.94 - I don't think he took it easy last year.
So if I am want to place as high as possible at Nationals and swim the fastest possible time, I will run to my bank and send 400 Euro to Italy and pray that the Jaked will get here in time - because people are not just dropping a few tenth they are dropping seconds - and I don't see that as a bad thing - that is the price of staying competitive in the current situation. I actually thought about it - but I just came to a different decision.
The most common feedback I get from experienced swimmers when they try the Blue 70 - a big smile and "this should not be legal".
With the time trial in cycling, it is just you and the clock. Cyclists or their sponsors spend a good bit of money on the most aerodynamic equipment available for such races, including top of the line racing wheels.
You are to be admired for your decision. It actually takes some discipline on your part to have arrived at such a decision. I just think it is all a personal thing and there is no ''right" answer.
Guys ( and girls) - it's a discussion forum. I only express my very subjective opinions and try to see what other people think on the same subject - nobody said anything about world peace and nobody is losing any sleep over this.
About the progress argument --- swimming is different than cycling and tennis and many other sports. You are racing against the clock as much as you are racing against other swimmers. I can swim a 50 Free in my pool and compare exactly against the 50 Free Mike Ross did last week and compare it exactly against the swim I did last year. There are not many other sports where you can do that. I have no idea if Rafa Nadal is playing better this year than last year. But I can tell you exactly that Bousquet swam a 21.53 last year and now swam a 20.94 - I don't think he took it easy last year.
So if I am want to place as high as possible at Nationals and swim the fastest possible time, I will run to my bank and send 400 Euro to Italy and pray that the Jaked will get here in time - because people are not just dropping a few tenth they are dropping seconds - and I don't see that as a bad thing - that is the price of staying competitive in the current situation. I actually thought about it - but I just came to a different decision.
The most common feedback I get from experienced swimmers when they try the Blue 70 - a big smile and "this should not be legal".
With the time trial in cycling, it is just you and the clock. Cyclists or their sponsors spend a good bit of money on the most aerodynamic equipment available for such races, including top of the line racing wheels.
You are to be admired for your decision. It actually takes some discipline on your part to have arrived at such a decision. I just think it is all a personal thing and there is no ''right" answer.
