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.
Possibly true. But it sometimes seems like those who liked the suits, aka the "cheaters," are in a special subclass for persecution.
And I won't agree with posters who suggest I need to train harder. :D
Even though suit opponents are vocal here and at convention, I still think that the suit ban is/will be a contributing factor in lower meet attendance this year. I don't think it's all the economy, a factor which has existed for some time now.
I can see how you feel that way, being on the losing end of the debate (for now, at least).
Training harder only helps so much, and we can all only train as much as we have time or desire for. The suits made people faster regardless of how much they trained, and it was definitely fun to swim faster regardless of the reasons why it happened.
If attendance is down, it'll be hard to isolate the causes for sure. Maybe some people stay away because they can't use the suits. But I believe a lot of people were intimidated about competing by people wearing the suits too. Maybe bringing more of those folks into the fold will offset the former tech suit wearers who refuse to compete.
I still find swimming fun and worthwile despite my non-techsuit performance "setbacks". I know you do too. To me, that's what this sport is all about.
Nice chatting with you. Now I will go back into message board hibernation for a month or two!
Possibly true. But it sometimes seems like those who liked the suits, aka the "cheaters," are in a special subclass for persecution.
And I won't agree with posters who suggest I need to train harder. :D
Even though suit opponents are vocal here and at convention, I still think that the suit ban is/will be a contributing factor in lower meet attendance this year. I don't think it's all the economy, a factor which has existed for some time now.
I can see how you feel that way, being on the losing end of the debate (for now, at least).
Training harder only helps so much, and we can all only train as much as we have time or desire for. The suits made people faster regardless of how much they trained, and it was definitely fun to swim faster regardless of the reasons why it happened.
If attendance is down, it'll be hard to isolate the causes for sure. Maybe some people stay away because they can't use the suits. But I believe a lot of people were intimidated about competing by people wearing the suits too. Maybe bringing more of those folks into the fold will offset the former tech suit wearers who refuse to compete.
I still find swimming fun and worthwile despite my non-techsuit performance "setbacks". I know you do too. To me, that's what this sport is all about.
Nice chatting with you. Now I will go back into message board hibernation for a month or two!
