TLog: swim sets

Today's swim (40 laps):

warm up: 1.08, 1.01, 0.56, 1.02, 1.01 (ave:1.016) 30s rest
pull: 1.01, 0.59, 1.00, 1.03 (ave: 1.008) 30s rest
10x100: 2.04, 2.11, 2.10, 2.09, 2.11, 2.14, 2.13, 2.14, 2.13, 2.10 (ave: 2.109) 1 min rest

Compared to last swim with the De Soto speedsuit, there is small difference (<1 sec) for the warm up and pull buoy timings, and almost 3 sec per 100m difference on the main set. Not exactly similar conditions - evening at Laguna pool (25m) versus morning at Bedok SC (50m). So some degree of caution in interpretation is necessary.

Amidst the emphasis on speed, I have forgotten one basic technique, which is to catch only when the other hand is entering the water. I had started the catch too early and that caused some loss in glide efficiency. Also, with the right timing, the body goes into the lateral position better. Again more efficient swimming. Need to internalize these motions again. It is all about muscle memory so that on the actual OWS, it all clicks into place without conscious thought.

TLog: De Soto speedsuit and Kent Ridge slopes

How did the De Soto speedsuit work out? It was impossible to tell under OWS environment, so Tue was the real test - in the controlled environment of the swimming pool.

First off, the warm up laps 300m - 1.02, 1.02, 1.05, 1.04, 1.04, 1.04. I was quite amazed to be honest. Usually I took 1.05 to 1.15 per 50m warm up.

Next, pull with buoy - 1.00, 0.58, 0.59, 0.59. Three laps under 1 min, which is quite remarkable for me.

The main set, 10x100m with one min recovery: 2.00, 2.03, 2.03, 2.10, 2.12, 2.12, 2.07, 2.10, 2.14, 2.11 (ave 2.082). Compared with the last two 10x100m sets of 2.17 ave, this was significantly faster as well. Am I getting faster, or is it the speedsuit. Only one way to tell. My next swim will be without the speedsuit.

Other comments: The De Soto speedsuit definitely feels lighter than the 2XU endurance tri suit. I like the snug fit around the shoulders. No gap between the shoulder blades, and that should reduce drag. The thin pad is similar to that for the 2XU elite tri suit (the endurance tri suit has thicker padding).

Wed am: 10 sets of fast spinning for 5 min, 3 min recovery. Tough, tough. Managed only 9 sets.

Fri Kent Ridge slopes
Coach and I went for a recce on Thu - around his favorite training ground. Readers familiar with NUS would immediately recognize the route. First short slope up to Guild House, second long slope to the hostels, starting with a steep incline at the research institutes, with a short reprieve before climbing to South Bouna Vista Road. Rest a while on the turn into NUH.

Then the final slope - climbing up to the sports center, and then after the circle, the killer slope up to the highest point on Kent Ridge. Phew!

FIrst loop was discovery, and on the second loop, I started pacing my ride. However, the traffic had picked up by then (about 8 am) and at one point, I was riding with three buses, and inhaling all that CO2.

Thunder and lightning signaled impending storm, so I did not do the third loop, much to my relief!


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De Soto Liftfoil speedsuit 2009

According to De Soto website, this speedsuit is now also a trisuit! Save time swimming in non-wetsuit races. Save even more time not having to remove it in transition. The new UTB (Ultra Thin Buoyant) tri-pad offers float during the swim, padding on the bike and is unnoticeable on the run. Made of Desoto's very own Liftfoil Skin fabric. The Liftfoil has no pockets, and no lining. It is designed to help you swim faster non-wetsuit swims. Desoto is the first company to make a men's speedsuit with a front zipper (16-inch YKK® zipper) that offers less drag than those speedsuits with zippers in back. Hydrolinear seam lines hug your body while allowing for maximum reach and glide in your stroke, with no friction against your skin. It can now be worn throughout the entire race. It is very breathable.

At speeds below 5 mph (8 kph) the best surface to flow though water is a smooth surface like Liftfoil. Liftfoil is a hydrodynamic fabric designed to be worn very tight. When stretched on a moving body, Liftfoil becomes thinner, so it absorbs less water. Because it compresses against the skin, it reduces passive drag, and acts as a foil to lift the body at the water surface.

Warning: The speedsuit is not designed for repeated use as a swim suit in a chlorinated pool.

My order for the De Soto speedsuit came through, courtesy of the new dealer JMD Pacific Pte Ltd at Peninsula Shopping Center #02-01. The folks at JMD were very nice about it ... I could place the order and try it on arrival with no obligation to purchase if it does not fit. The order is about the US dollar equivalent, but saving on the shipping cost.

When I tried it on, I found size M to be tight fitting, as it should be. Very thin material, even thinner than the 2XU tri suit I had. The pad feels very soft and comfortable. It has no seams, supposedly stretches in all directions, and offers enough padding for comfort on the bike, yet is not felt when swimming or running. I have yet to test the suit for cycling and running.

On the open water swim at Tanjong beach, I could feel that the speedsuit offered less resistance than the 2XU tri suit. The top fitted very snugly without any gap at the back of the neck. The effectiveness of any speedsuit is in the material. Although I can't compare De Soto speedsuit with other speedsuits, it felt more efficient than the normal tri suit. The one thing that I missed is the compression feel in the thighs and upper body that the 2XU offers. I guess the key consideration boils down to tradeoffs.

Will be doing more swims in the speedsuit over the next few weeks to get a better assessment.