Ironman swim without a wetsuit
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Anton posted 16 weeks ago.
I've done it and found my times were 10 minutes faster in the suit.
Other things to think about: Increased flotation saves energy which you'll need later in the day.
Keeps muscles warm and more efficient, although I can't speak to water temps at IMWI.
Wet suit rental is always an option, but that means you'll need to rent one to practice in also.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
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RV posted 16 weeks ago.
I've done IMWI the last couple years - the water temps are not too bad - but other than the Pros being in skinsuits last year I don't recall seeing anyone not in a wetsuit.
Rental is certainly a consideration.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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216 days
TriSooner posted 16 weeks ago.
Rent one. Anton summarizes the reasons, and I'd "guess" you'd pick up up at least five mins. I've done two IM's (including IMWI) and 99% wear one. Rent one the week before the race and go for a quick pool swim, like 500 meters tops. You'll overheat in an 80degree pool. Look for 'hot spots' where the suit WILL rub you raw. For example, I slap on huge strips of duct tape around my neck where I know my wetsuits eats into my skin on a 1hr swim.
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emtridoc posted 16 weeks ago.
Renting is fine, but if you really think you'll keep doing dist triathlons (70.3 +), you may as well invest in one. You can get a decent suit for $300 (find a place that still has some of last years models at a discount - I like missionbaymultisport.com). Then you can practice in it all you want (and it's definitely worth practicing a transition or two in a wetsuit!), know how it fits, and have it ready for the next race. And I agree, the savings in nrg and time are well worth the investment (well documented in many articles and books)
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KevDaddy posted 16 weeks ago.
Hi cdelbridge-
I have been swimming for years and have only worn wetsuits since I picked up triathlon.
I would recommend it as others have above; certainly the buoyancy, speed, effciency / preservation of energy.
What I find most beneficial is the buoyancy makes it FAR easier to sight and navigate than when swimming without one. I practice sighting in the pool every 9-12 strokes and over a long swim, I really feel the increased effort compared to when I don't sight.
Yesterday was my first race of the season (IM 70.3 CA) and the sighting was much much easier in the wetsuit than without it. In the harbor yesterday, I would lift my head and my body would barely sink in the water. The same motion in the pool w/o the wetsuit requires quite a bit more exertion from my shoulders, core, and legs to get the same head position. In addition to the beneficial swim time, this should help you relax in the water, and help you to conserve energy for later in the race.
Simply my $.02- I usually enjoy going against the grain and swimming w/o a wetsuit would set you apart from the others in the race. I would recommend using it because it is just so practical. Maybe try a couple sprint or olys - one with and one w/o and see how it goes.
Best of luck with whatever you choose to do-
Kevin
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cdelbridge posted 16 weeks ago.
Thanks everyone for the advice. It sounds like a consensus: a wetsuit would be a good idea. I'm going to look into both the rental and purchase options.
By the way, these were my first two posts on this, or any other, forum. But I've been reading this forum for the past year or more, and have gotten more great tri info here than anywhere else. Thanks!
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phaedrus posted 16 weeks ago.
I'm doing IMKY which was wetsuit illegal last year, and probably will be this year too.
Anything we can wear in the swim to get those free 5-10 minutes besides a wetsuit?
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wmckean posted 16 weeks ago.
I just bought one off of eBay brand new, full length, $117.00. I really don't care that it was last years model :-) Skin suits are supposed to be illegal if they add buoyancy, so I've read...
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609 days
azstinger11 posted 16 weeks ago.
well a well designed skin suit wont add buoyancy. They just help you cut through the water by reducing the resistance you encounter in the water 5-7% (according to Nike who developed the original version for the Olympics).
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3883/is_200006/ai_n8922107 - pretty good article on the subject actually.
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I'm doing my first Ironman--IMWI--in September. I don't own a wetsuit, and have not been planning on buying one before the IM. I am confident that I'll be able to handle the distance without a wetsuit. But I'm wondering how much time I could save if I used a wetsuit. Would it make me appreciably faster? Has anyone done IMs both with and without a wetsuit? How did your times compare?
Thanks all,
Charlie