FORM Goggles for Open Water

I was gifted a pair of FORM Goggles literally days after the pools shut down from COVID.   With great anticipation, I waited for the pools to re-open, while the goggles collected dust.  I used them while swimming tethered and it seemed the clock was slow, but really it just a testament to how boring it is to swim in place.  People complain about a treadmill, swimming tethered is 10x worse.

I digress.  I was able to be a part of the beta test for the FORM Open Water Swimming upgrade. I was excited.  The initial pairing, app, etc was a bit of a challenge for those of us who don't live in the tech world, but I figured it out and now it is quite easy using the app store, etc.  

I programmed my goggles to show running time, and then to cycle through distance, pace per 100 and average pace.   

1- the only time I would really want this data is in an Ironman and well at this rate the next race will be in 2022, so by then I bet the kinks will be worked out

Swim 1- paired my goggles and headed to the water.  Started on my watch and off I went.  For 4 minutes I could see all my data and I ran into my swim partner and a buoy, distracted much?  Suddenly it lost signal, hmm, I trod water and stopped my watch and restarted and nothing.   So for the next 41 minutes, I could see a timer but no other data.  I hit 2 more buoys and my ran into my partner twice.  I was not impressed.

Swim 2- upgrade to app and firmware and I am ready to go, swimming alone, less hazardous and my partner was "busy" LOL.   Paired up and off I went, I had full data for 11 minutes and it was interesting to see the pace and distance.  I decided that current pace needed to go and all I wanted was average pace, distance, and time.  Well, when I turned I lost everything so it did not really matter what I wanted to see.   My brain began to adjust to the running clock and I did not collide with anything.   Reported back and was told that likey the issue was bi-lateral breathing.   Well, I am not about to change my stroke for more data.

Swim 3- I changed my mind, I will change my stroke (for this test) and breath, right side only.  For 12 minutes I had data, time/distance/average pace per 100 which started at 2:20 and jumped to 1:05.  Now I love the goggle, see how fast I am going (LOL), and then nothing, disconnected.  Now my neck is sore from breathing on one side only and I still don't have any data.

0-3 and I am out.  I see now they have launched the  OW Upgrade. Well best of luck. 

2- these are pricey,  so I would put them under your cap because if a wave knocked them off, your race just got even more expensive.   Plus you will need to think about throwing them in T1, not that I do that. I carefully wrap up my gear and put it away.

3- If we ever have a mass start or a race, I'd hate to have them knocked off.

4- Wear these a LOT as it takes your brain a while to get used to the numbers running on the side.

5- Pool use- I have only been back in the pool twice and I was already worried about the walls and flip turns after 5 months of OW swimming.  But I will give them a go next week and see how I like that.

I enjoy coming into the wall and looking at the clock and either being happy or sad when I see the number.   My first pool swim I was so confused when I did my first 200, I was sure I swam a 2:44-46 and I saw a x9 and at first, was "yes"  2:39 but then I realized it was 2:49, I had to really sit for a minute and realize oh ok, I missed the send-off and was much slower than I thought.  Maybe that OW swimming is not translating to pool fitness, or maybe it was my first pool swim.   Who knows.... its not like I have a race to worry about.

 Another Review 

In other news, my toe is healing and I am running!   Man, I am happy about that... I am SAF (sore as fuck and slow as fuck)  but that is okay!  I am running, did I mention that.  

And I have big big news....but that is another post!  #embracethedarkness