Since there has been observation on this forum that most younger female (not male) swimmers at Nationals wore non-tech suits (the 18-24 and 25-29 groups), I'm curious as to why.
Anyone of that younger group look at this board and care to post reasons? Cost? Controversy over "authenticity" of times when fastest suits are banned? Desire to look hot for guys, as one poster suggests?
This was my attempt to present a recent conversation where an actual "Female Pup" gave me her MO / opinion in regard to buying/wearing a tech suit at Nationals.
I admired her because I'm a coach and a swimmer interested in improving and getting faster. She had been in this "technique first" conversation on and off throughout the meet with the older members of the club.
I agreed with her that this could be accomplished with effort, concentration and attention to technique details.
Even with only 2-3 practices attended a week.
If we all waited to be perfect before buying a tech suit - no one in masters swimming would have one... no one.
That said, I'm really all for everyone having a tech suit if they take the steps to actually enter a swim meet.
I would never swim in a meet in a poly suit any longer.
It is slower to swim in a non-tech suit.
At least wear an older tech suit - or last year's discounted model.
But no poly or standard style lycra for me.
Why would I purposely add time onto a swim when I am giving my best effort? Even if its' not the season ending championships?
I take responsibility as the coach, to present stroke technique in a way that my swimmer will be inspired and, willing to work on it together.
And that they can be as fit as possible in their current life situation.
If I can accomplish this, I am full steam ahead in trying to convince the Pup or anyone else to see the light and get into any kind of a tech suit!
Sorry guys… I looked through all of my Clovis photos and I can’t find one that suits the discussion topic!
Well said. It would behoove us all to constantly think about improving our stroke technique, racing strategy, etc. I think your MVN charges are very, very lucky to have you! Wish I did. :)
I wonder if this young pup's reward analysis is more characteristic of talented young pups? Geezers often, not always of course, seem to have a different approach. Except ehoch of course.
It's a good point - I think some of us still live with the "old way of thinking".
I am still on the fence - I probably lost the 50 by going with an older suit, but wore a Blue 70 for an off event. I think I may go really old school this summer.
I'm a bit of a geek swim meet swimmer.
I love meets and swim the max number of events always as "training".
Love the social aspect being there with everyone and watching their progress as well.
This is a philosophy I try to represent as a coach. I take any swimmer along for any part of the ride they want to join.
These in season meets are definitely high quality training because I swim with max effort even when I'm tired.
I have surprised myself swimming best times at 1-day meets even on the last event!
It gives me the chance to work on different strokes and distances. Sometimes even the opportunity to make TT times in my "off events".
I also realize that things can happen.
Well laid plans have been disrupted!
Last Summer at the very last moment, I was not able to attend LC Nationals. Super frustrating, but at least I had swum in all the LC meets in the months leading up so it was not a complete loss.
Who knows if everything will go as planned and the "big meet" is all I hope for? Ever fallen sick for the big meet?
It takes so much pressure off at the championships to know I have already posted some decent times going into the meet. I like to be seeded in the right place according to my current level of fitness. No guessing entry times.
So, I always wear a tech-suit and am ready to swim fast every time!
:)
The pups can go along for any part of the ride.
I try to be an example of my own coaching philosophy.
Also, the flesh is firmer at that age. Cosmesis counts in the Great Race to pass on one's genes. Maybe they feel better in pretty, sparkly suits. I'm not of that age group but think I probably wouldn't wear a tech suit if I were, and were swimming a meet.
:)
I sucked water on the start, that's why!!!!!! :afraid:
Your starts and sucking seem to be a constant theme for you. I think I need to talk to Beth about developing your starts.
It gives me the chance to work on different strokes and distances. Sometimes even the opportunity to make TT times in my "off events".
...
It takes so much pressure off at the championships to know I have already posted some decent times going into the meet. I like to be seeded in the right place according to my current level of fitness. No guessing entry times.
So, I always wear a tech-suit and am ready to swim fast every time!
:)
That's so interesting. I don't wear a suit for in-season meets for a few reasons:
* I taper well and I am not going to do crazy good times suit or no suit, and being moderately thrifty, I am going to save my suit for when I will be fast and up for it.
* New Englands (aka best meet ever if I haven't sold it hard enough) lets you swim almost every event (4/5 per day), and we rest for that meet, so I do have a chance to swim off events fast.
* I only started swimming competitively a few years ago and need practice racing more than everything else. Since I am not going to be going best times anyway (seriously, I can't imagine how resting helps so much), I may as well use the meet to practice racing and only worry about times for comparison.
I certainly don't begrudge people suits in any meet though -- that's just how I roll. (I would be lying if I said I didn't try extra hard to beat the person next to me when they are suited-up. Heh.)
I would never swim in a meet in a poly suit any longer.
It is slower to swim in a non-tech suit.
At least wear an older tech suit - or last year's discounted model.
But no poly or standard style lycra for me.
Why would I purposely add time onto a swim when I am giving my best effort? Even if its' not the season ending championships?
It's a good point - I think some of us still live with the "old way of thinking". You trained hard all season - most in season races did not really matter, because you can't swim fast unshaved and untapered. I remember doing long workouts right before big dual meets. You often see kids wear drag suits in small meets.
I am still on the fence - I probably lost the 50 by going with an older suit, but wore a Blue 70 for an off event. I think I may go really old school this summer.
I wold guess its a shortage of $$, when I was 23 I could barely afford to fill my car up with gas much less buy $500 suit. Hell I'm 33 now and it's hard justify that for a stinkin suit that may be illegal in 6 months!
