General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do I train in a wetsuit? Rss Feed  
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2014-06-23 5:57 PM

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Subject: Do I train in a wetsuit?
This is my second year doing triathlons but I haven't been to a race yet that isn't wetsuit legal. Having said that, I feel like I'm kind of cheating when I train with a wetsuit because it's helping me float. Having said THAT, I know you're suppose to train like you race. Should I be training with a wetsuit?


2014-06-23 6:10 PM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Do I train in a wetsuit?
I have the opportunity to train in the open water rather frequently, I like to wear the wetuit for the specificity in training.

If you feel like you're "cheating" in the wetsuit push yourself to swim faster etc. I think its good to be used to the buoyancy a wetsuit provides.
2014-06-23 6:11 PM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Do I train in a wetsuit?

Yes and no.

OWS - use the wettie or stay in shallow water.  Better safe than sorry.

Pool - never use the wettie.

 

 

2014-06-23 6:41 PM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Do I train in a wetsuit?

Originally posted by b2run This is my second year doing triathlons but I haven't been to a race yet that isn't wetsuit legal. Having said that, I feel like I'm kind of cheating when I train with a wetsuit because it's helping me float. Having said THAT, I know you're suppose to train like you race. Should I be training with a wetsuit?

Train for the demands of the race, not race day every day. So with that, much of your time should be helping you to develop your swim as best you can. And specifically with the wetsuit, train in it enough so that you're comfortable using it. This should not take a whole lot to do.

2014-06-23 6:50 PM
in reply to: brigby1

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Subject: RE: Do I train in a wetsuit?
I don't train in my wetsuit. When I first started, I did some open water swims to get used to my wetsuit. Now, that is what B and C races are for. But, I'm used to the suit now, and I don't have a lot of opportunities to do open water swims other than races. I wouldn't swim in the pool with a wetsuit.
2014-06-23 7:38 PM
in reply to: cgregg

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Subject: RE: Do I train in a wetsuit?
Originally posted by cgregg

Yes and no.

OWS - use the wettie or stay in shallow water.  Better safe than sorry.

Pool - never use the wettie.

 

 




Yeah, I should have specified that. I do all OWS. There are around 330 lakes in our small city so there's no shortage of venues.


2014-06-23 8:17 PM
in reply to: cgregg


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Subject: RE: Do I train in a wetsuit?
Originally posted by cgregg

Yes and no.

OWS - use the wettie or stay in shallow water.  Better safe than sorry.

Pool - never use the wettie.

 

 




+1

You really need to get use to wearing the wetsuit. Then there is the need to learn to put on the wetsuit "correctly" and learn how to readjust it if it is "off".
2014-06-23 8:47 PM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Do I train in a wetsuit?

Periodize your training -

Months before a race, get in a pool and work on improving your general swimming skills and fitness.  As the time of your race(s) gets nearer, adjust your training so it more closely resembles what you'll be doing during races.  This means doing ows in your wetsuit if your races fit that description.

 

2014-06-24 11:33 AM
in reply to: b2run


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Subject: RE: Do I train in a wetsuit?

The main reason to not train with a wetsuit in a pool is because the chlorine etc will damage the wetsuit over time, and wetsuits aren't exactly cheap. Also, you might overheat in some warm/hot pools that are cranked up for the water aerobics classes.

 

But there's otherwise nothing wrong with training in a wetsuit, especially if you train a lot in OW. In fact, it would be a lot better for the vast majority of beginner triathletes to actually train in wetsuits than not (if not for the pool issue), as you'd hear so many fewer complaints of "the suit didn't fit me right and I almost DNFd the swim!" - if you're in that wetsuit day in day out in training, odds of a misfit issue on race day are near-zero. 

 

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