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.
A positive is that since I refuse to be totally saddened I'm doing new events this season, which is actually increasing my interest in the sport.That's the spirit!
Two years ago I wore my first B70 at the Ron Johnson meet and the same meet this year marked my return to jammers. I amazed myself by swimming fly quite well (only 1.4 secs off B70 best in the 100), but free was horrible (2.6 secs off B70 best). I'd love to blame the suit for all that time off in the 100 free, but I know that that's not true. I learned some things from the meet that I have to apply to my training.
The suits mattered then for times, but they don't matter for enjoyment of the sport. I still loved racing and I'm probably even more motivated about my training now.
A positive is that since I refuse to be totally saddened I'm doing new events this season, which is actually increasing my interest in the sport.That's the spirit!
Two years ago I wore my first B70 at the Ron Johnson meet and the same meet this year marked my return to jammers. I amazed myself by swimming fly quite well (only 1.4 secs off B70 best in the 100), but free was horrible (2.6 secs off B70 best). I'd love to blame the suit for all that time off in the 100 free, but I know that that's not true. I learned some things from the meet that I have to apply to my training.
The suits mattered then for times, but they don't matter for enjoyment of the sport. I still loved racing and I'm probably even more motivated about my training now.
