AutomaticJack wrote:
A wetsuit should not be "very tight" around the chest if it is fit correctly. That is either due to the wrong size, or it is an inexpensive suit that is inflexible. The cheaper suits are generally less flexible than the more expensive suits. There is a big difference in flex and fit between the bottom of the line and top of the line ROKA Maverick suits. Flushing water does nothing but negate the purpose of a wetsuit.
A large percentage of triathletes do open turns in the pool and most do just fine - I doubt that is your problem. 1500 to 2500 meters twice a week is on the low end of swim training for a newbie. I'm curious how you are breaking that distance up, but I would bet that the distance in your sets is too long, and your break between sets is too long. The trick is to push yourself right to the edge of poor form, but never past. For most that means lots of 25 and 50, with some 100's in there.
In the pool, in training, I breath every 3rd stroke like you. In a race, either in the pool or OW, I breath every other stroke to the same side. There is no reason to restrict your breathing in a race. If you can breath every 3rd stroke (alternating sides) than you can switch sides if need be in a race. In an OW race I switch breathing sides several times, but I still breath every other stroke.
Finally, it sounds like you bought your suit online. Lots of people do that and get away with it, for many it is their only choice due to where they live, but it is risky. Wetsuit fit varies between brands and models within brands. Keep in mind that a wetsuit that is too tight will cause the problems you are describing. A wetsuit that too big will exchange water and negate the thermal protection and cause extra drag (if it is really too big). I tell people to go bigger if in doubt, since most wetsuit legal races shouldn't be to start with - most could swim fine without the suit, but think they need it as a crutch. In my old age I have been forgoing the suit because I just don't need the hassle. In an Olympic distance race (1500 m) the 30 to 45 seconds I loose (2 to 3 seconds a 100) is a wash with trying to get the damn thing off. I'm just not as flexible or patient as I used to be.
Thanks for the thorough response. The Suit I have is a Roka Maverick Pro II, so kind of middle tier suit I guess? Noted on the change in breathing to every 2 for OW. For training I have a plan from online, and my sets are generally 50 100, maybe 250 or 300 on the higher end. Im trying to work in more time in the pool, but.... life jsut hasnt been lending itself to having the time.
Im leaning toward the wetsuit is just too small. I have surfed for a couple years before getting into Tri and swimming. Granted they're a couple different brands but my surf wetsuits are also all Medium, thats why I felt so confident that a M was it. It sounds like a MT or M/L might be the answer