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
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