Took my wetsuit swimming

[rocknrollgirl]

So since it arrived shortly after Christmas, and after the maiden voyage of "wriggling in", I have put her upstairs and just smiled as I walked on by saying..Ya know, I really should try her in the pool.

So today was the day...

I ran this morning and then waited for the DH to come home from coaching so we could go to the pool. I packed her up along with some baggies from the grocer to wear on my feet during entry.

I wriggled in to the lower half in the locker room on my own, and then went in to the pool and Chris, the DH helped me get in the rest of the way.

And we are in!!!!!!!!!!!!

She fits, I DO look like a super hero..and I am quite speedy in her. Took 10 secs off my 50 yard time. DH said I was cruising.

I splashed and rolled and try to sink myself, and when the inner wetsuit temp reached about 150 degrees, I yelled uncle and took her off.

Not bad considering we bought her on ebay.

Open water swimming starts in about 4 weeks!

[KSH]

I so happy the wetsuit fit and you can swim in it with ease. That's great!

HA! My neighbor told me I looked like a Super Hero in my wetsuit.

Well, I do know that we are SUPER women!

[rocknrollgirl]

KSH,
it does feel weird. I had sort of a little claustrophobic moment. So I made myself swim a 500 to work through the panic. I am just not used to having something up around my neck and chest. It is not too tight, it just feels like pressure, compression.

I am sure I will get used to it.

[Wahine]

Wait until you get outside. Open water swimming is such a blast. And with a wetsuit, it feels like you're floating without any effort. It's kinda like the same feeling you get when you're out riding on a falt rode, spinning in a high gear with a nice tailwind. Oh wait, you don't road ride. Well, trust me, it feels really good.

[rocknrollgirl]

I used to road ride, a million years ago...I know that feeling.

[HillSlugger]

I splashed and rolled and try to sink myself, and when the inner wetsuit temp reached about 150 degrees, I yelled uncle and took her off.

How did you monitor your inner wet suit temperature?!?

[rocknrollgirl]

MD,
It was highly scientific, when my butt and thighs reached a temp that felt like they were actually starting to melt...wetsuit removal.

It got really warm. Uncomfortably warm. Figure the suit is not meant for 80 degree pool water.

[Tri Girl]

Woo hoo- you took her for a test swim!!! I'm glad you got a chance to get in the water and feel the suit out. It was uncomfortable for me, too, with the suit against my neck, but you'll definitely get used to it! In 4 weeks when you take her outside, it won't get too hot- you'll be glad you have it.

Congrats on your first wetsuit swim!

[HappyAnika]

I'm curious, can you explain the baggies for entry? Entry into the wet suit, or the pool? I'm guessing pool, but what are they for? (Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm very new to this swimming thing and I don't think I've ever even seen a wet suit in person). Thanks.

[KSH]

I'm curious, can you explain the baggies for entry? Entry into the wet suit, or the pool? I'm guessing pool, but what are they for? (Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm very new to this swimming thing and I don't think I've ever even seen a wet suit in person). Thanks.

Well, the trick is to put baggies on your feet... or socks... so the wetsuit is easier to get on over the feet.

I didn't have an issue with my feet... it was getting it up the rest of my body that was the workout. I also put on leather gloves so I wouldn't risk nicking the neoprene with my short nails.