Proper Wetsuits

In article <[email hidden]>,

(Mojo) said:

I'm new to the triathlon world. I've only done one,
training hard for a few more. I'm confindent in all 3
segments. However, I'm have a bit of a "fear factor" with
my wetsuit. I CAN'T BREATH! Does the type of wetsuit solve
or at least help this problem. I don't have much in the
way of cash. I'm an avid dirtbag outdoor
person...unemployed of course! So, I'm using a Bodyglove
wetsuit. I put cuts in the chest to allow the suit to
expand and then patched those areas to keep water from
flowing in. My first tri damn near killed me on the swim
because of my wetsuit. I can easily swim the distance in a
pool. I'm going to start swimming in the pool with my
wetsuit on (I'm sure to much of the laughter of everyone
else..but I'm used to that!). Any thoughts?

Um, swim without a wetsuit? You don't HAVE to wear one. A
tri wetsuit will make you faster, but a surfing wetsuit will
probably slow you down. Of course, if the water is too cold
for you, make do with what you've got.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Th-
en it was every other day. . . ."
- Homer J. Simpson

Sounds like your suit may be a bit on the small side if you
had to cut slits in it. I have a $99, poor fitting bodyglove
full suit that I abuse for training and much to my surprise,
I swim faster in it than I do in my $300 perfect fitting
suit specifically made for Triathlon. Generally a specialty
suit would be faster and more comfortable.

What are you fearing in the suit? It would be difficult to
drown in one with the added buoyancy. It's sort of like
paddling a boat while lying on your belly.

Ken @ Kauai

"Mojo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm new to the triathlon world. I've only done one,
training hard for a few more. I'm confindent in all 3
segments. However, I'm have a bit of a "fear factor" with
my wetsuit. I CAN'T BREATH! Does the type of wetsuit solve
or at least help this problem. I don't have much in the
way of cash. I'm an avid dirtbag outdoor
person...unemployed of course! So, I'm using a Bodyglove
wetsuit. I put cuts in the chest to allow the suit to
expand and then patched those areas to keep water from
flowing in. My first tri damn near killed me on the swim
because of my wetsuit. I can easily swim the distance in a
pool. I'm going to start swimming in the pool with my
wetsuit on (I'm sure to much of the laughter of everyone
else..but I'm used to that!). Any thoughts?

Yeah, thanks. I live in the Sierra's and the water is
generally pretty cold. I've thought about not wearing a suit
(ah, wetsuit that
is) but I think the cold water would zap my energy too fast.

Harold Buck <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<no_one_knows-
[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In article
<[email hidden]>,

(Mojo) said:

I'm new to the triathlon world. I've only done one,
training hard for a few more. I'm confindent in all 3
segments. However, I'm have a bit of a "fear factor"
with my wetsuit. I CAN'T BREATH! Does the type of
wetsuit solve or at least help this problem. I don't
have much in the way of cash. I'm an avid dirtbag
outdoor person...unemployed of course! So, I'm using a
Bodyglove wetsuit. I put cuts in the chest to allow the
suit to expand and then patched those areas to keep
water from flowing in. My first tri damn near killed me
on the swim because of my wetsuit. I can easily swim the
distance in a pool. I'm going to start swimming in the
pool with my wetsuit on (I'm sure to much of the
laughter of everyone else..but I'm used to that!). Any
thoughts?

Um, swim without a wetsuit? You don't HAVE to wear one. A
tri wetsuit will make you faster, but a surfing wetsuit
will probably slow you down. Of course, if the water is
too cold for you, make do with what you've got.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
- Homer J. Simpson

Quoted message said:

"Mojo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm new to the triathlon world. I've only done one,
training hard for a few more. I'm confindent in all 3
segments. However, I'm have a bit of a "fear factor"
with my wetsuit. I CAN'T BREATH! Does the type of
wetsuit solve or at least help this problem. I don't
have much in the way of cash. I'm an avid dirtbag
outdoor person...unemployed of course! So, I'm using a
Bodyglove wetsuit. I put cuts in the chest to allow the
suit to expand and then patched those areas to keep
water from flowing in. My first tri damn near killed me
on the swim because of my wetsuit. I can easily swim the
distance in a pool. I'm going to start swimming in the
pool with my wetsuit on (I'm sure to much of the
laughter of everyone else..but I'm used to that!). Any
thoughts?

I had the same problem in a too small wetsuit, even though
it was a Tri suit, and even though it was sleeveless.
Someone more knowledgeable can confirm that Tri wetsuits
have different thicknesses and use materials in different
places to help with the chest expansion. If you let it go on
you may develop a psychological problem with the water
altogether. The sense that you are drowning is a big
turnoff, for me, personally.

Thanks for all the feedback. I've been doing a little more
research. I'm wearing a 4mm suit in a size large. Wrong mm
and wrong size. I should be in a XL or XXL. I found a shorty
1mm and 2mm for $60. It's called Camero (??) from Austria.
Not sure if it's any good or not, but will give one a shot
and see how it goes.

I'm not afraid of drowning. I think its more the "Look at
that fool. Look how outta shape he is. Can't hardly finish
the swim! What is he doing in a triathlon?" Being new, I'm
still learning and still a bit self conscious.

Thanks again,

Mojo

[email hidden] (Ironic) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Mojo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm new to the triathlon world. I've only done one,
training hard for a few more. I'm confindent in all 3
segments. However, I'm have a bit of a "fear factor"
with my wetsuit. I CAN'T BREATH! Does the type of
wetsuit solve or at least help this problem. I don't
have much in the way of cash. I'm an avid dirtbag
outdoor person...unemployed of course! So, I'm using a
Bodyglove wetsuit. I put cuts in the chest to allow
the suit to expand and then patched those areas to
keep water from flowing in. My first tri damn near
killed me on the swim because of my wetsuit. I can
easily swim the distance in a pool. I'm going to start
swimming in the pool with my wetsuit on (I'm sure to
much of the laughter of everyone else..but I'm used to
that!). Any thoughts?

I had the same problem in a too small wetsuit, even though
it was a Tri suit, and even though it was sleeveless.
Someone more knowledgeable can confirm that Tri wetsuits
have different thicknesses and use materials in different
places to help with the chest expansion. If you let it go
on you may develop a psychological problem with the water
altogether. The sense that you are drowning is a big
turnoff, for me, personally.

I have a Camero full and it is very supple rubber, well made
and comfortable. Never tried their shorty.

Ken

"Mojo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all the feedback. I've been doing a little more
research. I'm wearing a 4mm suit in a size large. Wrong mm
and wrong size. I should be in a XL or XXL. I found a
shorty 1mm and 2mm for $60. It's called Camero (??) from
Austria. Not sure if it's any good or not, but will give
one a shot and see how it goes.

I'm not afraid of drowning. I think its more the "Look at
that fool. Look how outta shape he is. Can't hardly finish
the swim! What is he doing in a triathlon?" Being new, I'm
still learning and still a bit self conscious.

Thanks again,

Mojo

[email hidden] (Ironic) wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Mojo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news-
:[email hidden]...
> I'm new to the triathlon world. I've only done one,
> training hard

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> a few more. I'm confindent in all 3 segments.
> However, I'm have a bit of a "fear factor" with my
> wetsuit. I CAN'T BREATH! Does the type of wetsuit
> solve or at least help this problem. I don't have
> much in the way of cash. I'm an avid dirtbag outdoor
> person...unemployed of course! So, I'm using a
> Bodyglove wetsuit.

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> put cuts in the chest to allow the suit to expand
> and then patched those areas to keep water from
> flowing in. My first tri damn near killed me on the
> swim because of my wetsuit. I can easily swim the
> distance in a pool. I'm going to start swimming in
> the pool with my wetsuit on (I'm sure to much of the
> laughter of everyone else..but

I'm

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> used to that!). Any thoughts?

I had the same problem in a too small wetsuit, even
though it was a Tri suit, and even though it was
sleeveless. Someone more knowledgeable can confirm that
Tri wetsuits have different thicknesses and use
materials in different places to help with the chest
expansion. If you let it go on you may develop a
psychological problem with the water altogether. The
sense that you are drowning is a big turnoff, for me,
personally.

Quoted message said:

I'm not afraid of drowning. I think its more the "Look at
that fool. Look how outta shape he is. Can't hardly finish
the swim! What is he doing in a triathlon?" Being new, I'm
still learning and still a bit self conscious.

Thanks again,

Mojo

I joined a tri club and started racing. I thrash around in
the water and stumble through the runs but fly through the
cycling. My club, Hereford Tri, have given me nothing but
praise and support. A competitor that passed me on a
duathlon finish shook my hand for a good race. In my years
of MTB XC racing I never had that. In the years of TT, and
MTB enduro I have. Triathlon is so demanding, spectators and
competitors know this and just seem to respect each others
efforts. First, second or last in a race, training let alone
racing is hard, well done for perserving. The only people
that may critise are the ones that stand in the side lines
just havent got a clue about what or why we do it. Seperate
the negative influences from your current lifestyle, see
about joining in with any local clubs in your area, I am
sure encuragement is all you will get. A decent spell
checker would also be rice.

Kent

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Mojo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news-
:[email hidden]...
> I'm new to the triathlon world. I've only done one,
> training hard

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> a few more. I'm confindent in all 3 segments.
> However, I'm have a bit of a "fear factor" with my
> wetsuit. I CAN'T BREATH! Does the type of wetsuit
> solve or at least help this problem. I don't have
> much in the way of cash. I'm an avid dirtbag outdoor
> person...unemployed of course! So, I'm using a
> Bodyglove wetsuit.

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> put cuts in the chest to allow the suit to expand
> and then patched those areas to keep water from
> flowing in. My first tri damn near killed me on the
> swim because of my wetsuit. I can easily swim the
> distance in a pool. I'm going to start swimming in
> the pool with my wetsuit on (I'm sure to much of the
> laughter of everyone else..but

I'm

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> used to that!). Any thoughts?

"Kent" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm not afraid of drowning. I think its more the "Look
at that fool. Look how outta shape he is. Can't hardly
finish the swim! What is he doing in a triathlon?" Being
new, I'm still learning and still a bit self conscious.

Thanks again,

Mojo

I joined a tri club and started racing. I thrash around in
the water and stumble through the runs but fly through the
cycling. My club, Hereford Tri, have given me nothing but
praise and support. A competitor that passed me on a
duathlon finish shook my hand for a good race. In my years
of MTB XC racing I never had that. In the years of TT, and
MTB enduro I have. Triathlon is so demanding, spectators
and competitors know this and just seem to respect each
others efforts. First, second or last in a race, training
let alone racing is hard, well done for perserving. The
only people that may critise are the ones that stand in
the side lines just havent got a clue about what or why we
do it. Seperate the negative influences from your current
lifestyle, see about joining in with any local clubs in
your area, I am sure encuragement is all you will get. A
decent spell checker would also be rice.

Kent

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> "Mojo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message ne-
> ws:[email hidden].-
> ..
> > I'm new to the triathlon world. I've only done
> > one, training hard

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > a few more. I'm confindent in all 3 segments.
> > However, I'm have a bit of a "fear factor" with my
> > wetsuit. I CAN'T BREATH! Does the type of wetsuit
> > solve or at least help this problem. I don't have
> > much in the way of cash. I'm an avid dirtbag
> > outdoor person...unemployed of course! So, I'm
> > using a Bodyglove wetsuit.

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > put cuts in the chest to allow the suit to expand
> > and then patched those areas to keep water from
> > flowing in. My first tri damn near killed me on
> > the swim because of my wetsuit. I can easily swim
> > the distance in a pool. I'm going to start
> > swimming in the pool with my wetsuit on (I'm sure
> > to much of the laughter of everyone else..but

I'm

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > used to that!). Any thoughts?

Thanks for the words Kent. Yeah, I noticed how encouraging
everyone was during my first triathlon. My first tri was a
DISASTER!! I bent the drop-outs on my front fork taking my
bike off the car when I arrived at the race. My goggles
broke about 200 feet into the swim (salt water) so I could
no longer keep my eyes open in the water, I helped a woman
having a panic attack (she finally finished and kicked
ass!!)during the swim, my wetsuit was so tight my lungs
couldn't expand so I spent my swim cheering other swimmers
on and doing the breast stroke. I dropped my bike in the
transition area and when I got on it the chain was off. My
number came off my jersey (the safety pins came undone when
I was leaning over the bike getting my chain back on the
bike) so had to stop and fix it. Made up a bunch of time on
the bike, passed lots of other racers, then the
organizer/official pulled up next to me on the motorcycle
and asked if I was going to try and finish the race or if I
wanted a ride!!! "Am I doing THAT bad that you think I need
a RIDE??" I screamed! "No, you're getting a flat tire!!" I
was close enough to the end that I was able to ride it out!
All this, 5 months after having my knee rebuilt. Believe it
or not, I had so much fun I decided that I was going to do
this a couple of times a year!! It started out as a goal for
recovery of knee surgery. Anyway, all the while, I had other
racers encouraging me. It was great!

Mojo

In article <[email hidden]>,

(Mojo) said:

All this, 5 months after having my knee rebuilt. Believe
it or not, I had so much fun I decided that I was going to
do this a couple of times a year!!

Blowing out your knee a couple times a year is not
recommended.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Th-
en it was every other day. . . ."
- Homer J. Simpson