Just returned from the DAM scm meet in Dallas. The format was slightly different this year, with all events on one day, but the pool conditions were the same. Tapered and shaved and wore Aquablade jammers instead of a full body B70. My training had been solid, and I'd had no recent illnesses.
What I found was a 2 second difference per 100 in the 400. Granted this was the last event (at 11:30 am), and I had already swum the 1500 four hours earlier (which was by the way slower than my 1650 in February also wearing a B70). I plan to retaper for zones in two weeks and swim another 400 (first event of the day). Perhaps I will be able to shave a bit of time off (no pun intended).
Train harder? Train smarter? No--I believe the difference in suits is very real.
Hearing all of this makes me even happier I ignored advice to get a tech suit for Nationals. Instead, I wore my ugly Speedo Endurance suit and continued to wear it in meets until it died. What will I be wearing at future meets? Another clearance Speedo Endurance suit; but not an ugly one this time!
I don't plan on ever wearing a (legal) tech suit, unless I approach Top 10 times. And, I don't see that happening unless I outlive my competition and can still swim 200 breaststroke without croaking! :cane:
Hearing all of this makes me even happier I ignored advice to get a tech suit for Nationals. Instead, I wore my ugly Speedo Endurance suit and continued to wear it in meets until it died. What will I be wearing at future meets? Another clearance Speedo Endurance suit; but not an ugly one this time!
I don't plan on ever wearing a (legal) tech suit, unless I approach Top 10 times. And, I don't see that happening unless I outlive my competition and can still swim 200 breaststroke without croaking! :cane:
