I did a practice shave of my legs last night, to get used to it and also figure out how long it takes me for planning purposes.
Today in practice, I was faster than usual. The most obvious was in my 200 free warm-up. I dps the first 100 and then gradually speed up to about 75%. Usually I am around 3 minutes. Monday, I went 2:51. Today, I was 2:36 with the usual effort level.
My 200 *** warm-up was about 10 seconds faster than usual.
Can shaving really improve things that much? Is some of this because I am tapering?
Also, for those guys who shave your heads, do you also wear a cap? If not, is the bald head better than a cap?
Usually I am around 3 minutes. Monday, I went 2:51. Today, I was 2:36 with the usual effort level.
My 200 *** warm-up was about 10 seconds faster than usual.
Can shaving really improve things that much? Is some of this because I am tapering?
The act of shaving can create a new feeling for the water that will allow you to move your body in a way to reduce drag. This is the benefit, not the actual reduction in drag due to the hair itself, which is probably minor. I don't think it will cut 24 seconds from your 200 or 10 seconds from your 200. If you are tapering, its that more than anything. When you put a taper together with a shave and the mental attitude that "now is the time to start swimming with purpose", you can drop some good time.
Usually I am around 3 minutes. Monday, I went 2:51. Today, I was 2:36 with the usual effort level.
My 200 *** warm-up was about 10 seconds faster than usual.
Can shaving really improve things that much? Is some of this because I am tapering?
The act of shaving can create a new feeling for the water that will allow you to move your body in a way to reduce drag. This is the benefit, not the actual reduction in drag due to the hair itself, which is probably minor. I don't think it will cut 24 seconds from your 200 or 10 seconds from your 200. If you are tapering, its that more than anything. When you put a taper together with a shave and the mental attitude that "now is the time to start swimming with purpose", you can drop some good time.
