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Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race??
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 2014-07-28 12:44 PM |
Veteran  485   Elmira, ON |  Subject: Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race??I am doing a Sprint Triathlon in Frankenmuth, MI next weekend. The swim is in a slow moving river, and the sprint distance swim is 500m. (250m up and 250m back) The report today says the water temperature is 74 F. It should be around the same next weekend. The run from the water's edge to T1 is up a moderate grade (Similar to Guelph Lake, ON for anyone who's done that one) for what looks like about 80-100meters (300 - 320feet). maybe a bit more or less but that's a rough estimate. My time in T1 has ranged from 1:16, 1:23, 1:26 and there abouts for similar size Transition zones... but when I get nervous or the adrenaline is pumping the wetsuit gives me a bit of trouble. The worse its ever been was a total gong show and removing it added 30 seconds ABOVE AND BEYOND what my usual time in T1 typically would be...resulting in a 1:50 last year in what is usually at 1:26 T1..... My time for a 500m is around 8:10 to 8:20. The question is....do I need a wetsuit? Will it make up sufficient time in a 500m race to warrant wearing it and the time to take the thing off? what kind of time does a wetsuit save in 500m in the water? Do you typically wear a westuit in 74F water temp? Will it help keep me warm and ready for the run up the hill and the eventual bike ride coming shortly? Or will it just be a bulky piece of equipment for a quick swim? Any help, direction, comments is greatly appreciated. |
| 2014-07-28 1:50 PM in reply to: TheCrownsOwn |
Champion 6993   Chicago, Illinois | Subject: RE: Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race?? You do not need one. For 500m chances are it probably slow you down if your not good taking it off. |
| 2014-07-28 1:54 PM in reply to: TheCrownsOwn |
Alpharetta, Georgia Bronze member | Subject: RE: Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race?? I would not wear one for a sprint with a water temp of 74 degrees. |
| 2014-07-28 5:20 PM in reply to: TheCrownsOwn |
Pro 6582 Melbourne FL Gold member | Subject: RE: Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race?? Need no. But I always say if its legal I'm wearing. I get at least 15 sec/100 out of wetsuit (as tested in OWS in large pond/small lake with swim lines) so I'm ahead with the wetsuit even at 200 as it doesn't take me that long to take it off. Lube up and practice removing. |
| 2014-07-28 8:55 PM in reply to: TheCrownsOwn |
| 74 | Subject: RE: Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race?? Rule of thumb is always wear the wet suit if it's legal. Sounds like you just need to practice taking it off. Take a look at the many articles and videos about putting on and taking off a triathlon wet suit. Most important....plenty of lubricant, especially around the ankles. Wear the suit. |
| 2014-07-28 9:02 PM in reply to: TheCrownsOwn |
Expert 2192 Greenville, SC | Subject: RE: Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race?? I would, but I suck at swimming and hate being cold so there's that. |
| 2014-07-28 9:06 PM in reply to: TheCrownsOwn |
Regular 328 | Subject: RE: Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race?? If the race is wet suit legal, wear it.. The stripping of the wet suit should only take an additional 15 seconds on your T1 time; which you should more than make up on a 500m course with the wet suit on. One suggestion, practice your full transitions a day or two prior to the race, and I mean FULL transitions. For example, I set up my transition in my garage; put on my wet suit; and walk down the block. I then simulate running out of the water; take off my swim cap and goggles; strip the wet suit down to my hips...all while running down the block. I also slip the swim hat and goggles in my sleeve as I am stripping the wet suit off. I then transition on to my bike; bike around the block; transition to run; and run around the block I have all my gear and transition set up exactly like the race. I do this three times. I guarantee this will help speed your transitions and make it feel routine. Todd |
| 2014-07-28 9:50 PM in reply to: ettringite23 |
| 1055 | Subject: RE: Help Me: Should I Wear A Wetsuit For This Race?? I would also consider the air temperature as well. If it's a warm humid morning as it can be in August, I'd probably avoid the wetsuit. However, its looking it this weekend may see some lows in the mid 50's in the IN/MI area. I'll also take into consideration what my peers do. If no one else is throwing on their suit, I'm reluctant to pull mine out. Don't want to look like the whimp  |
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