NCAA Times Post Tech Suit Ban?

Well, the question of the OP was about NCAA times, not masters. Most will find out about the latter soon enough. True. But when posters start discussing their own personal height, weight, swimming goals and training patterns, I take that to mean anything goes.

The conference championships I followed were ACCs (for my alma mater) and A10s (since I know some of the UR swimmers). Men ACCs: www.theacc.com/.../ Women ACCs: www.theacc.com/.../ A-10s (combined): www.star-meets.org/.../index.htm I don't have any time to do a systematic study, but an effect didn't jump out at me for most people. I would expect the men to be more affected than the women, but I'm not sure that's the case. In some cases, because of conference records and the like, you can directly compare without hunting up last year's results. For example, in the ACCs: Men's 200 back: Andy Hodgson went 1:42.13 this year, 1:41.14 last year Men's 400 IM: Gal Nevo went 3:40.47 this year, 3:39.33 last year. Mens' 100 fly: Tommy Wyher went 45.57 this year, 46.21 last year. Men's 100 back: Tommy Wyher went 46.08 this year, 46.41 last year. Men's 100 free: Scot Robison went 42.42 this year, 42.89 last year. Hardly apocalyptic changes. I'm guessing these people aren't going to be quitting swimming anytime soon because they are so discouraged by their poor performances. But maybe the short sprint frees are most affected. I seem to remember there were a lot of people under 20.0 last year; this year there were only 3.

I did the 1650 at Carnegie Mellon U. today and posed the question to the assistant coach. He said that it's hard to compare, especially for the guys, who get a little stronger and faster each year just from growth and more training experience under the belt. With this as the backdrop, he said he thought the loss of the suits seems to affect the longer distance events more than the shorter ones. It will be interesting to see what happens as more data filters in and the smoke clears. Ahelee, I have the utmost respect for you. But I don't know if it's possible to train in a way that simulates body suits...athleticism and buoyancy, it seems to me , are contradictory, at least if you go by the old chestnut that muscle sinks and fat floats. Going by this old chestnut, I have little problem with buoyancy per se. I have a decided problem with the jiggling of my buoyancy all over the place, and my lack of athleticism! When you get hold of the "Ahelee's Revolutionary Training Techniques for Simulating Jaked Suits with Naked Flesh," I will be one of the first in line to buy a copy!

I did the 1650 at Carnegie Mellon U. today and posed the question to the assistant coach. He said that it's hard to compare, especially for the guys, who get a little stronger and faster each year just from growth and more training experience under the belt. Based on how the UR women swam, it seemed clear to me that some were about as fast (or faster) than last year with the suits (they wore LZRs), while some were slower. One person in particular, who is fast but is a little heavyset, was significantly slower this year; I remember wondering before the meet whether she would be in for a disappointing meet. But without broad, systematic studies it is v hard to draw firm conclusions, to see if (or how far) the suit effect rises above the uncertainty. Some people have bad season-ending meets and in the past you'd shrug your shoulders and say s/he missed his/her taper. Now you have this extra factor.

But you're forgetting the most important dirty word all the purists use to describe tech suits -- rubber, rubber, rubber. That's more important than knee to ankle coverage. Women hate knee skins because they make us look fat and are extremely uncomfy on the thighs. I'm sure the thinner swimmers will be less effected than those that could lose a few pounds. I don't really hear much whining about the loss of tech suits from kids. I think masters (and definitely me) whine more b/c we've been wearing them longer and, in some cases (me, Ande, Mike Ross, etc.) every meet. So true!!!!!! Hubby will not be allowed to attend any more meets post the ban b/c he would otherwise mistake me for the Michelan man. :bitching: Agree with you on the kid thing. The kids are amazing. No one in my group cared about the suit change. No one discussed it. They are still all dropping tons of time. A lot of the kids *just swim.* When I ask them questions about a skill, they often say, "I don't know. I just do it." I continue to learn from them - including those ultra tough 14 year olds. :)

If boobs were not an issue, how many of you women would want to parade your guts in front of a leering world! ME ME ME! I have a good stomach. In fact, I will change my avatar for you Jim. When hubby took this pic of me, he named the file "Ab monster." :bitching: Instead, Fina has conspired against me while creating a suit that covers my abs and gives me sausage thighs, a flat, wide butt, and a flat(er) chest. :frustrated:

The power I have over women! Magnificent! Thanks, BigNoodler, and sorry that I had to, for spaces purposes, edit down your quote to the most important gist. BTW Jim, it will be posted in a couple more minutes but I tell you - I think I WILL get kicked off the board for it. It's inappropriate for reasons that will be self explanatory. Sorry guys and girls. And yes, I continue to lift like a girl even though this torso shot looks like a man. Ugh. Jim, do you suspect we are a bit off the topic here?

My god! Those thighs are hideous! Just joking. That is an amazing picture, BigNoodler. What is the red line, though, where the clothing begins? Does the term "Viccies" mean anything to you. As in, "She was wearing her 'viccies' not her 'grannies.'"? You may have just inspired yet another false memory of Greek myths here... ha ha I hope this pic proves once and for all that I should not lift heavy. I mean, what on earth would happen to me then?! No clue what that means. Will ask my husband. Yeah, I did have some Vickie's (Victoria's Secret) on. Pink striped actually.

Maybe something like this would "shave" a couple hundredths? Skin Tight Body Firming Lotion Use the absolute strongest natural ingredients to tighten loose skin anywhere on the body including knees, stomach, elbows, legs, neck and more. Argireline, Emu oil, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, shea, green tea and more! Use on the neck to tighten and firm skin. Firm skin or tighten sagging skin with super strong skin firming ingredients! (Recommended by plastic surgeons before resorting to plastic surgery) :cane:

Are we making the assumption that the top masters swimmers can also improve at the rate of the top NCAA, USA-S and age group swimmers? Just curious on this one. . .