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.
Parents
Former Member
Like anything else, the suits will have had a greater impact on some more than others. Body morph, level of fitness, walls, and the events you swim. I actually swam faster in a tracer light than b7o. I have also seen swimmers off their 800 times by about 2to3 seconds per hundred. Backstroke seems the least affected in the sprint..but again not by all. Many swimmers have to just suck it up and face the new reality. And those lucky ones not affected.........well everyone will catch up soon enough!
Like anything else, the suits will have had a greater impact on some more than others. Body morph, level of fitness, walls, and the events you swim. I actually swam faster in a tracer light than b7o. I have also seen swimmers off their 800 times by about 2to3 seconds per hundred. Backstroke seems the least affected in the sprint..but again not by all. Many swimmers have to just suck it up and face the new reality. And those lucky ones not affected.........well everyone will catch up soon enough!
