Thursday, June 23, 2011

Wetsuits are Cheating

Thursday, June 23, 2011  at 10:42 PM
Tonight, in preparation for our first Olympic distance triathlon, Jennifer and I decided to do a practice open water swim.  I still had only tried my wetsuit on once, and it had been dry since I got it.  Jennifer rented one from Xterra that got here the other day, so we had to test them out.  Neither one of us had swam in a "triathlon" wetsuit, and we wondered what it would be like.  So, we put them on...  An hour later (I'm just playin', but it did take forever), we had them up to our waists.

There is a laker/river within five minutes of our house with a boat dock.  It is actually a private dock, but the only people that live there are wealthy people from Chicago that have a "summer home," so we just went ahead and used their dock.  
We weren't necessarily going for a certain distance swim; we just wanted to try out the wetsuits.  So, we decided to aim a good ways down the lake to a boat that was tied up and go for it.  Jennifer hopped in first and bobbed to the surface.  She said "I'm Floating!"  I jumped in too, and not only was I very comfortable, but I felt like I had a body-life-jacket on.  I couldn't believe it.  We started swimming, and it tripped me out a little bit.  I've done open water swims before, so I know how much different it is than in a pool, but I still got a little jacked up in the head this time.  I had to stop for a minute and catch my breath before continuing.  I did o.k. on the way to the boat, and I couldn't believe how much easier swimming in a wetsuit is!  It was incredible, and I almost felt like I was cheating.   On the way back, I felt a whole lot better.  I got a really good rhythm going of breathing and sighting.  I had to make a few adjustments to what I've been practicing in the pool, but I think I've got it down and am ready for Sunday.  We are so STOKED about this race.

So here are my goals for this race.

               Swim:  35 min.
               T1: 2 min.
               Bike: 1 hour 14 min. (20 mph average)
               T2: 2 min.
               Run: 56 min. (9 min/mile average)
               Total: 2 hours 50 minutes

I realize that some of these numbers are a little "sandbaggerish," but I'm not trying to prove anything.  I'm pretty sure the swim will go much better than 35 minutes, but I'm a slow swimmer.  I think I can handle the bike if I crank it.  The course looks pretty flat.  I think I can do better on the run than 9 min. miles, but it just depends on how I'm feeling.  I guess we'll just have to see what happens.

I'll get a race report to ya as soon as I get back.  Have a great weekend, and good luck to all of you that are training or racing.

11 comments:

Unknown

Cheating that is totally legal as long as the water is cold enough! :)

Good luck this weekend! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

kessia reyne

I think you need a wetsuit for Maglee! ;)

Julie

The first time I did an open water swim with a wet suit I felt the same way! I had done quite a few before I actually got it and the difference is amazing. I bet you'll see a difference in your speed too.

Good luck to you guys!

Ironman By Thirty

Legal cheating, my friend. LEGAL cheating :)

Good luck this weekend!

Matty O

They also provide a safety factor... My first triathlon they were MANDATORY!!!!! I was like what the heck for and actually called the race director. He said its a life safety factor.

Oh... gotcha haha.

So then I swam with one and am thankful to this day that I have ever bought one. Amazing :)

Good luck this weekend!

M

Yay for wetsuit awesomeness!!!!! Good luck at the race!!!

Kurt @ Becoming An Ironman

I just saw the other day that one of our Local Bike Shops offers suit rentals, so I'm gonna' have to try one out myself.

As a swimmer, I've always shied away from wetsuits - I'm so used to swimming without one that I have this notion that it'd be too "weird" for me.

But I'm glad to hear you like it. And best of luck this weekend!!!

tri like mary

Yay for wetsuits! Good luck on Sunday and I can't wait to read the race report!

Caratunk Girl

I love wetsuits!!! Have fun at the race I can't wait to hear how it went!!

wet suits

I think you should buy a wet suits. I have found o'neill wetsuits before some time hope you would like it.

Unknown

mont blanc pens outlet
nike blazer pas cher
ugg boots
nike blazer
dolphins jerseys
cheap jordan shoes
instyler max 2
green bay packers jerseys
miami dolphins jerseys
cleveland cavaliers jersey

Post a Comment

Dont Be Shy! Leave a comment.