I was wondering whether anyone had problems moving up a lane. I find myself frequently leading the lane; not by choice, but because I have slowly become a bit faster than my usual lane mates. (In fact, today I think they were getting a little annoyed because I was trying to keep us moving along quickly to the next set.) I would move into the next lane, but I am usually reluctant to because often I am not familiar with the pace of the people in the next lane and I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up and they'll laugh me right out of the pool!
I suppose I also have a bit of a complex because last week a woman who is only slightly faster than me, whom I have successfully swum with before, moved out of my lane during warm up and into the next lane with two other men. I ended up swimming by myself when there were three swimmers in the next lane! Not sure what that was all about, but it sort of hurt my feelings. :badday:
(Of note, I pretty much kept up with that lane during the entire workout, so it's not like I am dreadfully slow.)
Of course, it's possible I am being overly-sensitive, but I am relatively new to this team and I truly don't want to offend or annoy anyone.
Any tips to resolving that conflict in your head as you decide which lane to dive into right before you start your warm up?
Parents
Former Member
Salty,
You have the same question as I. I am in the tweener phase which could put me in the faster lane or leading the slower lane. I find myself needing to slow up the intervals so that my lane mates can make it in the slower lane. No one is there to get blown out or be humiliated.
On our IM days, I usually hang in the slower lane because my backstroke is horrific. But on other days, I have gone over and hung out near the end of the line in the faster lane. It is actually easier for me to do 10 100s on an interval that is 10 seconds faster because I am behind a bunch of people who are pushing all of that water out of my way.
I find it harder to lead a lane at a slower interval then to be behind a few people on a faster interval. Leading forces me to know my own pace and duplicates the calm smooth water of race conditions. It makes me nervous but is a good test for me every time I do it.
But swimming in a faster lane decreases rest between sets and builds confidence that you can hang with the faster swimmers.
So, just try it and see how you like it. Both have their benefits.
Of course, there are those fast swimmers who just move so fast that there is never a lane fast enough for them. I am not a member of that club and never will be.
Rob
Reply
Former Member
Salty,
You have the same question as I. I am in the tweener phase which could put me in the faster lane or leading the slower lane. I find myself needing to slow up the intervals so that my lane mates can make it in the slower lane. No one is there to get blown out or be humiliated.
On our IM days, I usually hang in the slower lane because my backstroke is horrific. But on other days, I have gone over and hung out near the end of the line in the faster lane. It is actually easier for me to do 10 100s on an interval that is 10 seconds faster because I am behind a bunch of people who are pushing all of that water out of my way.
I find it harder to lead a lane at a slower interval then to be behind a few people on a faster interval. Leading forces me to know my own pace and duplicates the calm smooth water of race conditions. It makes me nervous but is a good test for me every time I do it.
But swimming in a faster lane decreases rest between sets and builds confidence that you can hang with the faster swimmers.
So, just try it and see how you like it. Both have their benefits.
Of course, there are those fast swimmers who just move so fast that there is never a lane fast enough for them. I am not a member of that club and never will be.
Rob
