Starts and goggles

I'm curious... Why do you think the double cap is what caused the problem? I find using two caps helps; especially if I pull one of the caps over the top of my goggles. (At Auburn, I forgot that last step, so my goggles flipped down on me.) Possibly because I didn't pull the cap over the top of my goggles -- not really sure. As I mentioned, my son double-caps and swears by it. I doubt I'll do it again, just because it didn't work for me. I will probably just stick with the bungees because they have (except for once) done the job.

Try a different arm position. I instruct my swimmers to put the arms up & then shrug the shoulders in , pushing the bicep onto the outside corners of the goggles to aid in keeping them on. And YES put them on much tighter than you do at practice, I keep at practice set & a meet set to have them where I need then.

Have you tried using Vaseline around your eye sockets where the goggles fit? I forgot to mention that in my earlier post, but it helps with better suction and goggle fit, as well as protecting the skin. No, I never tried that but that's a really good idea. Thanks! Usually the water would somehow drain out a little bit and not be as annoying. Something to try in my next life, unless I start competing again... If I do I don't want to do any long distance stuff haha. Never enjoyed it very much.

I can't imagine putting vaseline around my eyes. I couldn't either, but I read the tip in "Mastering Swimming", by Jim Montgomery and Mo Chambers, so I thought I would give it a try. I put a thin layer of Vaseline around the eye sockets and it really helps eliminate the irritation that I was getting from my goggles. The extra bonus was that it helped keep my goggles on during starts, too.

I use Tyr RaceTech goggles at the moment, which I love. But I have some Swedish I could try too, if all else fails. Thanks for the help, all. Now if only I can find another quiet day (empty lane) to try again... I've worn TRY Racetech for around 15 years, and have never had any issues with block starts with them. That said, I prefer the mirrored/metalized version, which has a different strap than the others. I don't wear a cap, unless I specifically have to. I do the old style start, non-track, and don't seem to have any problems with it. For a meet, I'd probably use a new set of goggles. Try them out during warmup, make sure they work through a warmup start or 2. But other than that, I don't really change much from practice to meets.

I can't imagine putting vaseline around my eyes. I think the Racetech is more oriented to practice than racing, despite the name. If you want to stay with Tyr, you might try the Tracer models instead. In the Speedo line, I race with the Speed Socket model, which absolutely sticks to my face. I don't practice with these because they fit so close to face and the seals aren't comfortable for a long period of time. Another good Speedo goggle for racing is the Vanquisher. If the goggles come off right after entry in the water you are probably not tucking your head enough (even if you think you are). If the goggles come off a bit later, you are probably lifting your head too early to look forward.