General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Well, I definitely swim faster without a wetsuit Rss Feed  
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2013-08-25 1:11 PM


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Subject: Well, I definitely swim faster without a wetsuit
Did a 2 swim-run races this season, one early and one late. Both 1 mile (not 1500, true 1 mile) swim than a 10k run. In a lake with zero current, good visibility, and well anchored buoys so swim course was very accurate.

I swam nearly 4 minutes faster this time without a wetsuit (28 vs 32), and swam at LESS effort than I did with the wetsuit at 32. This was with a sleeved full wetsuit. I also ran faster the second time despite the faster swim, but only by about 40 sec. I also made the podium (it's a very small race) this time, whereas I missed it by more than several places the first go-around - likely due to the swim speed difference.

My current time is much more in line with my pool times - for the past 2 years I've been agonizing over why I do well in pool masters and triathlon group swims, yet often endup behind MOP on race day. I think it's the wetsuit! FWIW - I'm also 10sec/100 slower in the pool with a pull buoy.

(I wear an size small Xterra Vortex wetsuit - definitely not too big for me - no loose areas and fits really snugly.)

Edited by yazmaster 2013-08-25 1:13 PM


2013-08-25 1:13 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: Well, I definitely swim faster without a wetsuit
Inconceivable!

2013-08-25 1:38 PM
in reply to: Goosedog

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Subject: RE: Well, I definitely swim faster without a wetsuit
Originally posted by Goosedog

Inconceivable!


You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

2013-08-25 2:30 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: Well, I definitely swim faster without a wetsuit

Originally posted by yazmaster

(I wear an size small Xterra Vortex wetsuit - definitely not too big for me - no loose areas and fits really snugly.)

Full sleeve?
I find that my full sleeve fatigues my shoulders immediately and I can't get a full range of motion. Only worn it for one race so hard to compare, but it's definitely noticeable compared to my sleeveless. 

2013-08-25 2:36 PM
in reply to: lisac957


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Subject: RE: Well, I definitely swim faster without a wetsuit
Yup, full sleeve. I actually also have a sleeveless, and I'm pretty sure I do swim faster in OWS compared to the sleeved with it (times are faster), although I haven't had rigorous comparisons with it.
2013-08-25 4:42 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: Well, I definitely swim faster without a wetsuit

Has your fitness improved?

Was the course measured correctly?

How does well anchored buoys make the course accurate?

How did you relative to others as one way to tell if distance is consistent. If Joe always beats you by 2-3 minutes and did in A race, but you were faster than him in B, likely you were faster. Do this with a few guys not new to the sport. How as your overall placing compare in swim or in your AG is another way to analyze your results.

Changing type of wetsuit can make a difference. When I went to a DeSoto and felt much more comfortable.



2013-08-25 4:47 PM
in reply to: KathyG

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Subject: RE: Well, I definitely swim faster without a wetsuit
It's hard to come to that conclusion with just 2 races, more so since they were so far apart. I did a triathlon yesterday (1000m swim) and I used a wet suit and I was 9.5 minutes faster than last year (28m vs 18.5m). Does that mean that my wet suit made me nearly 1/3 faster? No, it means that I sucked at swimming last year (still do) but I improved a lot in a year. For me, the wet suit helps. I swim faster and in a more controller manner. YMMV of course.
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