Well, due to my schedule this week, I couldn't make my regular morning workouts for a few days, and decided to get in a workout at a nearby city pool. I had no idea what I was in for... I had called ahead, and they assured me that they always have 'at least 2 lanes' available for lap swimming.
When I arrived, there were 2 lanes setup for lap swimming. However, 1 lane had 2 guys swimming side-by-side, the other (along the edge) had a group of kids going back and forth while holding onto the wall. Despite repeated requests from the lifeguards after they saw me waiting, the kids didn't get out of the way (perhaps a language problem).
Anyway, the best way to get rid of stragglers in the lane turned out to just getting in and swimming!! I think after they saw me, especially doing a few flip turns, everyone quickly moved out of the way. Actually, I got in a nice workout (hard to think up things on my own when I'm used to a coach), and had few interruptions.
Not bad for the $1.50 admission I paid to get in. And who said it was expensive to swim here.... Plus a few people approached to ask me about swimming.
Tim
Former Member
I like Rob Copeland's reply.
While swimming during "public swims" is never ideal, focusing on the positive helps:
1. A product of the 60/70s, I regress to LSD (long slow distance...) unless motivated otherwise. So, those turtles in the lane give me a reason to sprint...I consider it fartlek in the pool.
2. I, too, have had a number of comments on my "advanced" swimming (good for my ego, but unwarranted...) and several requests for advice. I figure if I can help someone out of the turtle and into the fish category, it's got to be good karma (darma?)!
3. Some pools I've visited have a whiteboard with a workout posted - it's either left over from an age group practice, or is posted for a fitness session. On those lazy "I'll just swim a bunch of lengths" days, those workouts give me a focus.
4. When the lane is really crazy with turtles/kids/balls from the open area, I try to equate it with the triathalon swim start - a time of seemingly no rules and zero consideration for a fellow swimmer's physical well being! During crazy lane times is a good time to practice heads up swimming and "sighting" for open water.
5. If it's truly too frustrating, there's always the hot tub or sauna.
Swimlong
Swimlong
Reading these posts reminds me of why I never swim in any of the city pools here in town. Aside from crowdedness, it's often difficult to swim a few decent laps or get a decent workout without getting interrupted by the countless kids who invade the pool, just to stay cool for the summer. (Thank goodness for winter training in indoor pools!)
Like most swimmers say: "stick to swimming in Aquatic Centers or Natatoriums that specialize in fitness swimming." I'd say swim at the YMCA, but their pools can be just as crowded as any City pool. :Yikes!: And if you can't do the time to swim at your usual place, its sometimes best to stay home and rest, tomorrow's another day.
