Another newbie question: how do you keep count of how many strokes/lengths/laps?

The best way is to use the pace clock. Just glance at it on your first breath coming out of a turn. If you know your pace you should be able to figure out where you're at. For example, if you hold about 1:30 per 100, and the pace clock tells you you're at 3:00, it's pretty easy to realize you've gone 200 yards. Kirk...c'mon man that's maths...I'm trying to enjoy my swim. ;) I think the chant but out loud is a good technique. Or sing ## Bottles of beer on the wall and countdown. Either of my techniques should get you a lane to yourself as an added bonus. PS Kirk. Seriously thanks really, I never thought tracking it that way.

I can't see the clock while swimming (it's at the end of the pool) but I know about how much time should elapse for any given distance. When I'm doing longer swims of 400 or more I will do an open turn occassionally to check, if I lose track of lap count. Sometimes I'll lose track on a 200! Must be something related to age? Don't feel bad poolrat, I lost track doing 4x50 this morning. :laugh2: Babs, I use a little finger counter (which I obviously wasn't using this morning) . . . it looks like a tiny stop watch. My heart rate monitor has a lap feature, but you can't push the buttons under water, and it isn't convenient to lift my wrist out of the water on each lap :shakeshead: . . . not that it matters, I forgot it this morning too.

At the beginning and end of each length, I'll consciously think "front half" or "back half" of whatever hundred I'm on. Not foolproof, but it usually works.

I've always been bad about "how many laps am I on" that's why I don't do distance swims or work outs. I lose track just doing 4 sets of 100's. But I did find an easy way to help me count sets if I don't use my watch. The "black T" that marks the lanes on the wall is made up of 4 tiles across. So every time I finish a 100 or 50 I touch a tile, I can remember which tile I touched easier than counting my sets- At least up to 4 tile sets, then repeat if doing more than 4 tiles. - It's kinda a silly but works for me. Hey, whatever works. I used to slap the deck after each repeat with the number of slaps being the number of the one I just finished.

It takes me 15 to 16 strokes per 25 meters. 30-32 strokes:50m. 60-64 strokes:100m. 90-96 str:150m. 120-128 str:200m. since it is not easy to count 3 digits; if I swim intervals of 200, I reset (start from zero) at 60-64 strokes, do another 60-64. If I swim 400, I start breathing from right till 60s, from left another 60, R 60, L 60. You can adjust it according to your stroke rate. Another way is to use a wristwatch (when I forget my Speedo watch at home, I feel lost in the pool). If you know your tempo (i.e. 50m. in 50 sec, etc.) you will know where you are. good luck

I also bought an ironman watch at Wal-mart I sometimes count laps, but it can be hard to push the button coming out of the turn. Also if I printout a workout and bring it to the pool it usually has the yardage already figured so I don't use it to just count laps. I too, use it to either count sets of 100's or sets of 50's. I also use it to track how long it take me to do the entire workout. I've always been bad about "how many laps am I on" that's why I don't do distance swims or work outs. I lose track just doing 4 sets of 100's. But I did find an easy way to help me count sets if I don't use my watch. The "black T" that marks the lanes on the wall is made up of 4 tiles across. So every time I finish a 100 or 50 I touch a tile, I can remember which tile I touched easier than counting my sets- At least up to 4 tile sets, then repeat if doing more than 4 tiles. - It's kinda a silly but works for me.