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First time racing in wetsuit....
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 2010-08-29 7:38 PM |
Member  42  Keller, TX |  Subject: First time racing in wetsuit....So i am competing in my first OLY next weekend in an open water swim in Austin. It is wetsuit legal so I am finally getting the chance to where my sleveless wetsuit. Since the weather is so warm down here in Texas i really never get a chance to wear it so I have only practiced (indoor pool) a few times in it. I consider myself an above average agressive swimmer. One thing i noticed is when I was in the pool today with the wetsuit it seemed like I did not have to use my legs at all while gliding through the water? It almost felt more difficult to focus on kicking? Am I just crazy or it this normal due to the extra boyancy? My split times were super fast compaed to my no wetsuit times and I felt good? I just dont want to over use my upper body even though I felt fine today on my 1600 m swim? Any tips or advice??? Thank for your help on this! TP |
| 2010-08-31 10:58 AM in reply to: #3070225 |
Veteran 291 Just South of Disorder | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... My experiance is limited but I think that perhaps since you are not "Feeling" the water with the wetsuit on it perhaps makes you feel like it harder to kick. It should be easier since your legs are higher in the water due to the boyancy the wet suit provides. Try doing some kicks on the side of the pool or try doing some laps with only a few strokes and mostly kicks. Good Luck |
| 2010-08-31 11:00 AM in reply to: #3070225 |
Regular 501 Essex, England | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... I hardly kick when wearing a wetsuit. 2 beat just to help with balance. Save my legs for all the other stuff. |
| 2010-08-31 11:05 AM in reply to: #3073418 |
Expert 1002 | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... Pashda - 2010-08-31 11:00 AM I hardly kick when wearing a wetsuit. 2 beat just to help with balance. Save my legs for all the other stuff. Bingo. That's one of the great things about wetsuits...makes the swim go by almost unnoticed. Unless you're one of those fancy podium people. |
| 2010-08-31 11:05 AM in reply to: #3070225 |
Extreme Veteran 767 Rockville, MD | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... Make sure you use plenty of BodyGlide around the arm holes and neck areas. Chaffing is not fun. |
| 2010-08-31 11:44 AM in reply to: #3070225 |
Pro 5361 | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... since you're already a good swimmer, there's only one reason to use the wetsuit. you'll be faster! It will feel like you're cheating. In swimming, your arms are far far more efficient at propulsion than your legs- so from a pure efficiency standpoint, you don't want to use your legs at all- except it's useful for body position and a bit of balance as you twist your body. Sprinters should kick hard- but they're anaerobic. Distance swimming- only use a much leg as is needed. |
| 2010-09-01 3:27 PM in reply to: #3070225 |
Member 42 Keller, TX | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... I appreciate the advice. I am looking forward to see how it goes this weekend! |
| 2010-09-01 4:29 PM in reply to: #3070225 |
| Veteran 200 South Shore, MA. | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... I had an idea, try some flippers and you'll feel it (and some extra). Watch for blisters!! |
| 2010-09-02 12:13 AM in reply to: #3070225 |
Member 210 | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... If you are in Austin on Saturday or Sunday, take your wetsuit and go swim in Barton Springs Pool. The water there is colder than Town Lake and way colder than your pool. That will give you a good feel for what the wetsuit does for you in the colder water. And yes, the floating feeling is normal. Save your legs for the bike, and kick as little as possible until the last 50-75 of the swim. Near the end, probably when you make the last turn to the swim exit, kick your legs a bit harder to get the circulation going. That will help you get on your feet and running faster thru T1. Good luck at the race. I'll be there too!  |
| 2010-09-02 3:28 AM in reply to: #3070225 |
Regular 68 Bromsgrove, Midlands | Subject: RE: First time racing in wetsuit.... You may find there is a little more bouyancy in the pool from whatever they treat it with, soooo its possible you will sit lower in the water in a lake. Just a thought. |
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