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 ?
My point is simple, if you are trying to convince people that the suit is not magic and doesn't swim itself down the pool (as the anonymous people you talk with believe) you can go ahead and move on from that because nobody actually believes that. This issue extends beyond the fringe that you want to place it.
As for my psychoanalysis: the first time you ever blasted me on this forum it was when I called you out for complaining about swimmers who dedicate, in your opinion, too much time to the sport. I sensed the same defensiveness then that I do now. But I only know you from this forum and woulnd't pretend that it is any close to an accurate portrayal of who you are. So if my comments bit you in anyway, sorry.
I'm not sure I'm following you at all ... the above quote and your prior post are unclear ... are you saying my "anonymous sources" do or don't think the B70 makes them swim faster? I thought I had said that I believe that it does, and that they believe that it does ... it's just a matter of how much benefit it provides. I'm not really trying to stake out any fringe position to further my argument. I'm not sure you've grasped my argument anyway.
I've spoken with many FINA ranked swimmers (and others) about the suit, same as you. I just found it odd that your sources were automatically credible, but mine weren't. Sorry if that seems defensive to you, but you seemed unnecessarily dismissive to me. And apparently to Kristina.
I am not defensive about my use of the B70. I've always been perfectly upfront about using it and enjoying using it. Unlike some, I swim in it guilt free. I do, however, admit to being somewhat defensive about people claiming that any and all improvement, including what I've done the last year, is due solely and completely to the B70. It's somewhat tiresome at this point. For me, continuing to swim in the B70 is comparing "apples and apples" and I will continue to use it as long as it's legal. I feel no need to go back to the Pro, though I did use my Pro at a meet this year.
As for blasting, it's an interesting choice of word considering that's what you frequently do ... Surely we can have equal opportunity blasting on the forum? And, yes, I agree, one's forum persona is not necessarily revealing about one's true personality.
My point is simple, if you are trying to convince people that the suit is not magic and doesn't swim itself down the pool (as the anonymous people you talk with believe) you can go ahead and move on from that because nobody actually believes that. This issue extends beyond the fringe that you want to place it.
As for my psychoanalysis: the first time you ever blasted me on this forum it was when I called you out for complaining about swimmers who dedicate, in your opinion, too much time to the sport. I sensed the same defensiveness then that I do now. But I only know you from this forum and woulnd't pretend that it is any close to an accurate portrayal of who you are. So if my comments bit you in anyway, sorry.
I'm not sure I'm following you at all ... the above quote and your prior post are unclear ... are you saying my "anonymous sources" do or don't think the B70 makes them swim faster? I thought I had said that I believe that it does, and that they believe that it does ... it's just a matter of how much benefit it provides. I'm not really trying to stake out any fringe position to further my argument. I'm not sure you've grasped my argument anyway.
I've spoken with many FINA ranked swimmers (and others) about the suit, same as you. I just found it odd that your sources were automatically credible, but mine weren't. Sorry if that seems defensive to you, but you seemed unnecessarily dismissive to me. And apparently to Kristina.
I am not defensive about my use of the B70. I've always been perfectly upfront about using it and enjoying using it. Unlike some, I swim in it guilt free. I do, however, admit to being somewhat defensive about people claiming that any and all improvement, including what I've done the last year, is due solely and completely to the B70. It's somewhat tiresome at this point. For me, continuing to swim in the B70 is comparing "apples and apples" and I will continue to use it as long as it's legal. I feel no need to go back to the Pro, though I did use my Pro at a meet this year.
As for blasting, it's an interesting choice of word considering that's what you frequently do ... Surely we can have equal opportunity blasting on the forum? And, yes, I agree, one's forum persona is not necessarily revealing about one's true personality.
