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.
I would say that we're still in the "old" reality, but we are only now recognizing it. No doubt the suits made people faster. That's why some loved them and some hated them. For me, the suits made me about 1 second faster per 100. But I'm still (relatively) young with a (relatively) fit body shape. The older and more flabby you are, the more the suits probably benefited you.
In terms of comparing to the past, I compare myself to my 17-year old junior year of high school times. Without the tech suit, I'm basically right on those times and I'm very happy with that.
I would say that we're still in the "old" reality, but we are only now recognizing it. No doubt the suits made people faster. That's why some loved them and some hated them. For me, the suits made me about 1 second faster per 100. But I'm still (relatively) young with a (relatively) fit body shape. The older and more flabby you are, the more the suits probably benefited you.
In terms of comparing to the past, I compare myself to my 17-year old junior year of high school times. Without the tech suit, I'm basically right on those times and I'm very happy with that.
