Normal Swimming Protocol?

Osterber, Thanks for all the responses including the "it depends." I think that for the several questions I had on different scenarios, I could list 30 more situations. The point is how on earth is a newer swimmer to know what is appropriate or not? Even with years of swimming practices under my belt, it's not always clear cut as to what is appropriate or *best* for yourself and the others in your lane. Actually, let me change that last statement and say it's often very clear what would be best for me. One funny situation that comes to mind is when the entire lane misses the intervals. And yes, the coach did have a purpose for that. Just the other day I was told by my coach to "be more aggressive and run them over." Given the situation which I will not get into, I would agree with him. Now how does this fit into the desired kumbaya goal that we masters at least say we want to strive for? What I see in practices is people looking out for #1 (and I don't have a problem with this as it's called life and competition), whether it be via putting on equipment to be faster or to cover up a stroke flaw or get through an injury; rest a repeat; get out early; get in late; draft; just swim free; just swim stroke; do their own set; etc. I find it confusing when in the same breath those swimmers tell other swimmers to follow other rules like this lane may be too fast for you if you are lapped once in a set. Just seems almost humorous to me . . . Ourswimmer, I too have been swimmer 1 through 5 on various occasions. I hear you. If you're making the interval, then you at least have an argument to stay. IMHO, whether you should move or not may depend on some other details. For example, if it's a set of 20 x 100, and there are lanes going on 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, etc. The 1:10 lane has 5 people in it who are going 1:02-ish on each swim. The 1:15 lane has 2 people in it. If you're at the speed where you'd be going 1:09's in the 1:10 lane and touch-and-go on each one, or you could lead the 1:15 lane and make it by more, and perhaps go faster. You'd be the 6th person in the 1:10 lane or the 3rd person in the 1:15 lane. If it were me, I'd jump in the 1:15 lane and lead. You'd have an argument to stay in the 1:10 lane (since you're making the set)... but you're probably getting in the way of the others. On the other hand, if you'd be the 4th person in the 1:10 lane, and going at the back of the lane gives you some drag and allows you to keep up... by all means! If you're missing the interval, then you're in the wrong lane. To take the same set example... if you're swimming 1:09, 1:09, 1:09, 1:11, then you're in the wrong lane and you should move down. However, if you're doing the 20 x 100 on 1:10, and holding 1:05's most of the way, tighten up near the end and swim 1:08's and 1:09's on #17, 18, 19, and crash and burn and miss on the last one... then I think you're just fine. You took a shot at the faster interval, kept up with the lane for the vast majority of the set, and ran out of gas at the end. That happens! May depend on the specific scenarios. If this is the fastest lane, then there is sometimes the problem with a lane leader who is "too fast", i.e,. would move up to a faster lane if there were one. If you're making the interval, then I think you're probably fine. Especially if you're making the interval to the same degree as everyone else in the lane. It comes down to some mutual etiquette for both you and the fast lane leader to try to stay out of each other's way as best you can. I.e,. don't make it hard for the lane leader to pass you... but for example when the lane leader finishes, he/she needs to make sure they move to the side so you can flip and finish up your repeat. You're both in the right lane. Sounds like you're probably still in the right lane. Depends. Some of this will depend on your history with your lane-mates. To some extent, there is a need to build up "lane credibility". If you've been in the lane for a long time (like months or years, etc.), and everyone knows that you can cut it... but you have a lousy day, or didn't get enough sleep, or your shoulder hurts... then you'll be fine. If you're trying to break into a new lane as the newbie, and nobody knows you... then sitting out in order to keep up won't earn a lot of respect from others in the lane. -Rick

Osterber, Thanks for all the responses including the "it depends." I think that for the several questions I had on different scenarios, I could list 30 more situations. The point is how on earth is a newer swimmer to know what is appropriate or not? Even with years of swimming practices under my belt, it's not always clear cut as to what is appropriate or *best* for yourself and the others in your lane. Actually, let me change that last statement and say it's often very clear what would be best for me. One funny situation that comes to mind is when the entire lane misses the intervals. And yes, the coach did have a purpose for that. Just the other day I was told by my coach to "be more aggressive and run them over." Given the situation which I will not get into, I would agree with him. Now how does this fit into the desired kumbaya goal that we masters at least say we want to strive for? What I see in practices is people looking out for #1 (and I don't have a problem with this as it's called life and competition), whether it be via putting on equipment to be faster or to cover up a stroke flaw or get through an injury; rest a repeat; get out early; get in late; draft; just swim free; just swim stroke; do their own set; etc. I find it confusing when in the same breath those swimmers tell other swimmers to follow other rules like this lane may be too fast for you if you are lapped once in a set. Just seems almost humorous to me . . . Ourswimmer, I too have been swimmer 1 through 5 on various occasions. I hear you. If you're making the interval, then you at least have an argument to stay. IMHO, whether you should move or not may depend on some other details. For example, if it's a set of 20 x 100, and there are lanes going on 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, etc. The 1:10 lane has 5 people in it who are going 1:02-ish on each swim. The 1:15 lane has 2 people in it. If you're at the speed where you'd be going 1:09's in the 1:10 lane and touch-and-go on each one, or you could lead the 1:15 lane and make it by more, and perhaps go faster. You'd be the 6th person in the 1:10 lane or the 3rd person in the 1:15 lane. If it were me, I'd jump in the 1:15 lane and lead. You'd have an argument to stay in the 1:10 lane (since you're making the set)... but you're probably getting in the way of the others. On the other hand, if you'd be the 4th person in the 1:10 lane, and going at the back of the lane gives you some drag and allows you to keep up... by all means! If you're missing the interval, then you're in the wrong lane. To take the same set example... if you're swimming 1:09, 1:09, 1:09, 1:11, then you're in the wrong lane and you should move down. However, if you're doing the 20 x 100 on 1:10, and holding 1:05's most of the way, tighten up near the end and swim 1:08's and 1:09's on #17, 18, 19, and crash and burn and miss on the last one... then I think you're just fine. You took a shot at the faster interval, kept up with the lane for the vast majority of the set, and ran out of gas at the end. That happens! May depend on the specific scenarios. If this is the fastest lane, then there is sometimes the problem with a lane leader who is "too fast", i.e,. would move up to a faster lane if there were one. If you're making the interval, then I think you're probably fine. Especially if you're making the interval to the same degree as everyone else in the lane. It comes down to some mutual etiquette for both you and the fast lane leader to try to stay out of each other's way as best you can. I.e,. don't make it hard for the lane leader to pass you... but for example when the lane leader finishes, he/she needs to make sure they move to the side so you can flip and finish up your repeat. You're both in the right lane. Sounds like you're probably still in the right lane. Depends. Some of this will depend on your history with your lane-mates. To some extent, there is a need to build up "lane credibility". If you've been in the lane for a long time (like months or years, etc.), and everyone knows that you can cut it... but you have a lousy day, or didn't get enough sleep, or your shoulder hurts... then you'll be fine. If you're trying to break into a new lane as the newbie, and nobody knows you... then sitting out in order to keep up won't earn a lot of respect from others in the lane. -Rick