Time saved with a wetsuit - Triathlon Week

dcunleaded · 10-12-2005, 08:36 PM

Guys, I just got a new wetsuit, in preparation for my first 1/2 Ironman in a couple weeks-MiamiMan on 11/13. I also have my eye on either Ironman FLA or the Great Floridian IM distance event in 2006.
My question is: how much time does a middle-of-pack swimmer expect to drop as a result of a wetsuit for Olympic, 1/2 IM, and Ironman-distance events?

Thanks, and happy training!

sfricks · 11-01-2005, 09:12 AM

Excellent question. Sorry no one has replyed yet. I just did the GFT and it was my first swim in rubber. I expected a 1:40 swim and pulled out a 1:20. This was also my first fresh water swim. Now how much of that was adrenaline and how much was rubber... That's a million dollar question.

I will say that I was tons more confident and certainly more bouyant with the suit on. I'll also tell you it was easier and more comfortable than my last 70.3 swim.

As for the GFT... GREAT RACE. I may see you there in '06.

dcunleaded · 11-01-2005, 07:53 PM

Thanks for the response. Great news on your swim in Clermont-I live in Orlando, and wanted to do the 1/2 IM, but I thought I needed another month or so. I recently bought a wetsuit, and I was going to use it for the 1/4 mile swim, but I thought it wouldn't be allowed. I saw a couple sprinters with suits on, but it was too late.
In preparation for the MiamiMan 1/2 IM I'll be doing in a couple weeks, I took my wetsuit into the pool yesterday. I did 2x400 in about 9:00, my norm for that interval. I through on my suit, and I effortlessly did 2x400@ 7:30. That's :90 difference over 400 yards!
The toughest thing that I found was trying to keep my legs in the water while kicking-I wasn't used to beng on top of the water like that!
I tried to get my fiance to bite on the St. Croix 1/2 IM for a honeymoon retreat, but it didn't fly. Hopefully, I'll be seeing you at the 2005 GFT!
dc

sfricks · 11-02-2005, 06:41 AM

I really loved Clermont. I grew up in a small town South of Jacksonville and Florida holds a special place in my heart. I could not have imagined better conditions to race in than there was on 10/22. Wish you had been ready. I guarantee you'd have loved it!

OK... Swimming... Icksnay on the ikkingkay. (Pig Latin for forget the kicking!) When I first heard this I thought the guy who told me was crazy. Then I learned that I could improve my bike and run splits exponentially by keeping my legs fresher. I kick very little until the last 100 meters or so, and then this only in 70.3+ distance tris. This allows you to get blood back in your legs before you stand. Kicking on the swim provides little propulsion. The effect is to keep your body optimally horizontal. The suit will do this for you. Watch IM Hawaii swim video - the underwater part - and you'll see the IM athletes almost never kick. Give this a try next time you're in the pool with your rubber on and see what your splits are then. HTH.