| In the sport of triathlon, there is no question which | | | | you'll more than make up for the additional time in |
| sport most people have problems with. Out of | | | | transition. |
| swimming, cycling and running, the swim causes | | | | For those that aren't strong swimmers, wetsuits can |
| people the most problems by far. Whether it is | | | | (and should) give you more confidence. Have you |
| terrible form, anxiety in the water, or poor upper | | | | ever tried swimming underwater in your wetsuit? If |
| body strength, any weakness in the swim is multiplied | | | | not, try it sometime. You'll pop back up like a cork! |
| three-fold. If you have poor running form, you can | | | | This is great for someone that has a fear of |
| still get by; even more so with cycling. If you are a | | | | drowning. |
| terrible swimmer, this will cause you to fight against | | | | Second, make sure you have a triathlon wetsuit. It's |
| the resistance of the water much more than you | | | | amusing to see people wearing their body boarding, |
| have to. It is not uncommon to see super athletes | | | | surfing or even their SCUBA wetsuits. These aren't |
| that knock out marathons with ease unable to swim | | | | made for our sport. So don't rummage through the |
| two laps in the pool without stopping. | | | | garage to find your old surf wetsuit, that won't work. |
| Besides getting some swim coaching to help correct | | | | These are much too thick and will limit your mobility |
| your form, there may be something else you can do | | | | and speed in the water. |
| that will make the difference between quitting half | | | | Third, it really doesn't matter what brand you get. |
| way through the swim, or finishing strong with | | | | The main concern is whether it fits or not. You can |
| energy to spare for the next two events of the | | | | spend all the money in the world on the best |
| race. | | | | wetsuit, but if it doesn't fit correctly, it will slow you |
| If you are a poor swimmer or a beginner to triathlon, | | | | down. It should be snug but shouldn't limit your |
| listen to this...You MUST get a wetsuit if you plan on | | | | breathing or choke you around the neck. Too loose |
| racing. A good wetsuit will allow full range of motion | | | | and water will get in and slow you down. If you try |
| in the shoulders, chest, and legs while providing | | | | one brand and it doesn't fit just right, try another. |
| maximum buoyancy. When you float higher in the | | | | With so many choices you'll find one that fits. |
| water, you will go faster and save energy, period. | | | | Fourth, I like the full-arms style of wetsuits. I used to |
| So now you know you need a wetsuit, but what | | | | have a long-john style, which means it had full-length |
| type, what brand, when should you wear it, and how | | | | legs, but no sleeves. I thought the long sleeves would |
| much should you spend? | | | | limit my stroke, but they don't. In fact, according to |
| The USAT guidelines state that everyone may wear | | | | the manufacturer (Quintana Roo), the long sleeves |
| a wetsuit if the water temperature is 78 degrees or | | | | actually help you go faster because it increases the |
| below. You are welcome to wear a wetsuit if the | | | | water your arm "catches" as you pull through. It's |
| temperature is 79 degrees to 84 degrees but you | | | | really up to you which kind you get. Just try some |
| won't be eligible for awards. Anything 85 degrees or | | | | out and see what you like best. |
| over, no wetsuits are allowed. | | | | Finally, triathlon is a very mental sport. If that carbon |
| Therefore, if the water is 78 or below, wear a | | | | fiber frame makes you think you're going faster, you |
| wetsuit - even a short sprint distance race. You will | | | | do. If your new running shoes make you think you're |
| be much quicker in a wetsuit and save energy. Of | | | | going faster, you do. And if your wetsuit makes you |
| course, you also have to deal with taking it off in | | | | think you're going faster, you do. |
| transition-1 to the bike, but if you're well practiced, | | | | |