Normal Swimming Protocol?

I think that a person has an obligation not to impede his/her teammates and their practice. Other than that, I don't see why someone else's decisions about equipment should be my business. I'm not the person's coach or parent. And even if I were, masters swimmers are adults, not children; they are perfectly able to decide whether their use of equipment is excessive or not without hearing my voice on the matter. The coach can offer his/her opinion, or suggest less dependence on equipment, but most masters coaches I know won't press the matter. I think that's great, it is one of the charms of masters swimming. I agree with Chris' comment and Osterber's comments above. Speed is speed. I don't understand why people get so irritated/judgmental over equipment use. We're all adults. And we do all have different goals, agendas, meet focuses, injury issues, etc. Can't we live and let live? When I swim with my team, I try to pick the correct lane and and never get in anyone's way. However, I frequently change things up and do backstroke during free sets, kick during free sets (yes, I can keep up), use fins when others aren't. As long as I'm swimming the same distance, making the lane intervals and not getting in anyone's way, I don't see how this is a major problem. There's some natural chaos built into masters' practices because of our diversity. But we're masters; we don't need strict rules and scoldings like age groupers, do we? Sometimes when I read this stuff, I'm glad I practice solo most of the time ...

Since we have a large pool we rarely have more than 2 per lane and it is very well organized. People tend to migrate towards the lane with the right speed. Equipment users on non equipment sets are very courteous and typically use equip to keep up. I've only ever known of one problem and it was a doozy and pretty uncomfortable, an equipment user who basically lost his cool and went all noodly on a fellow swimmer.

What I am taking from this discussion is that I am very lucky to swim where I do. We have 10 lanes available 5 mornings a week, and we rarely have any irresolvable speed differentials. I think the only time we had any lapping in recent memory was during a 500 for time, and the day swimmj referred to with super fast dude in with the chicks. We also don't have any equipment abusers on the team. The folks who fin or paddle up are usually injured or easing back into shape after a layoff, and no one begrudges them their lane space. If anything, we're more guilty of not using equipment when the coach calls for it. I don't own paddles, so don't use them for pull sets, and quit fins altogether for a while when I thought they might be hurting my knees. My teammates are used to me cluttering up the lane on kick sets anyway, and I just stay out of the way and cut the set short as necessary. Our coaches are particularly good at choosing lane intervals, and are aggressive about placing people in the appropriate lanes for the days workout, depending on what is planned. If it's a really crowded day, we will sometimes do "last man" intervals (lead swimmers go on last touch, or last +5, or whatever), which generally rewards the faster swimmers with more rest and makes the last man work his or her tail off. I've also heard the coaches ask swimmers "what's up with the fins/buoy?" and the like, so they are pretty on it. Puff, you'd love Oregon. We have loads of really fast swimmers, and an complete lack of ego and attitude issues. And it's a great place to live -- except, of course for the constant drizzle (that's our story, and we're sticking to it. Any photos you have seen of Oregon in which the sun appears to be shining or the sky is anything other than a leaden gray have been Photoshopped.)

Is it going last and just getting behind and making interval - barely? 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! Missing interval but not getting lapped? 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! Getting lapped only once by a lane leader (they are really fast) in a set and still making the interval? 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. Getting lapped by half the lane (only once in a set) and still making the interval? Sounds like you're probably still in the right lane. Making the interval, not getting lapped, but needing to rest for a 50 once or twice during a set? 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

I agree with Chris' comment and Osterber's comments above. Speed is speed. I don't understand why people get so irritated/judgmental over equipment use. We're all adults. And we do all have different goals, agendas, meet focuses, injury issues, etc. Can't we live and let live? When I swim with my team, I try to pick the correct lane and and never get in anyone's way. However, I frequently change things up and do backstroke during free sets, kick during free sets (yes, I can keep up), use fins when others aren't. As long as I'm swimming the same distance, making the lane intervals and not getting in anyone's way, I don't see how this is a major problem. There's some natural chaos built into masters' practices because of our diversity. But we're masters; we don't need strict rules and scoldings like age groupers, do we? Sometimes when I read this stuff, I'm glad I practice solo most of the time ... I guess it is a few things. For one, I feel like if you aren't interested in doing the workout, you should swim alone. Why are you taking up precious space if you are just going to ignore the sets and coaching? (General you.) Then again, like I've said, it is possible I'd find it less irritating if we had more room. More broadly, one of the things I like about my team is that it feels like a team, not just a collection of people splitting pool rental fees. We do hard work together and suffer together and I value that. Everyone gets their chance to lead and their chance to suck and doesn't cop out. I think the fact that most of our 400 relays wind up in the Top Ten every year is a result of that focus, as much as anything else. Same reason I detest the concept of "superteams." And the whole feeling begins with doing the same work. In the end though, that's why I swim for the team I swim for. The city has plenty of other teams where you can wear fins and ignore sets to your hearts content, and that is awesome for people who want that.

And the whole feeling begins with doing the same work. You don't necessarily have to do "the same work" to feel like a team. (And I don't even see how distance swimmers, strokers, and sprinters can always do the same workout?!) My team is still a "team" (and not a superteam), and we have Top Ten relays as well. But I feel like there is some respect for diversity. I often swim with someone who does only freestyle. It doesn't bother me -- the other strokes hurt his shoulders. I wonder if it's an age thing? We have quite a few 40+ competitors. Maybe we're more tolerant, because we're always breaking down? lol I think lane space is a big factor in the whole anaysis too. If you have crowded lanes, it's easier to get annoyed by perceived "bad" behavior. On the whole, though, I think the key is to just be courteous. If you are, no one should get on your case. And, as Matt said, who needs censure and battles and disapproval at swim practice?!

All this being said, I think if anyone wants to try and hang with a lane that's fast for them, that they should go for it. If they end up being lapped too frequently, they'll move on their own. I guess this is not a popular view, but I know I for one will be much more welcoming of swimmers who want to give it a try. If the kids can welcome me, an old fart, who wants to try to swim in a super fast lane (and sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail), then I can sure return the favor to others. Creampuff's statement is generally what I would consider normal with our team. That and first come, first serve (stand your ground). If someone comes late and wants to bump another out of a lane and that other person is keeping up with the other lane mates, then there is no way they are going to move over. They would be welcome to join the lane, but not bump someone from it that was keeping up and not interfering with others. You should just stand your ground, scowl at them if needed, and proceed with your workout. Late arrivers in our pool have no or little standing on lane selection. Tim

You don't necessarily have to do "the same work" to feel like a team. (And I don't even see how distance swimmers, strokers, and sprinters can always do the same workout?!) My team is still a "team" (and not a superteam), and we have Top Ten relays as well. But I feel like there is some respect for diversity. Diversity, sure. Slacking or being a wuss? Not so much. I think there is respect for working hard, and if you seem like you aren't, then you aren't going to get anyone's respect. And over-reliance on equipment or changing sets is going to be interpreted, correctly in most circumstances, as not working hard. If you show up to a distance practice, you should swim the distance set, and if you don't want to, there are sprint days or open swim just waiting for you. And I know all the folks who decide to do something else claim they are courteous and staying out of the way, yet I can count the number of times it hasn't been disruptive on one hand. I wonder if it's an age thing? We have quite a few 40+ competitors. Maybe we're more tolerant, because we're always breaking down? lol Maybe -- my team is pretty young compared to a lot of others. But we have some 40+ folks and it basically breaks down by lane: the faster the lane, the less likely someone is to opt-out, and that's across all ages. On the whole, though, I think the key is to just be courteous. If you are, no one should get on your case. And, as Matt said, who needs censure and battles and disapproval at swim practice?! One could just as easily say though, I spend all day navigating chaos. Why should I have to do it at practice too? But honestly, I think it breaks down to liking being on a serious (in the pool) team and not enjoying ones that feel less so. Good thing we can mostly find clubs that suit us.

If you're not keeping up with the other people in the lane, regardless of what equipment you or they are using, then you should move down. My question is what is "keeping up?" I think different people have different definitions of this. . . Is it going last and just getting behind and making interval - barely? Missing interval but not getting lapped? Getting lapped only once by a lane leader (they are really fast) in a set and still making the interval? Getting lapped by half the lane (only once in a set) and still making the interval? Making the interval, not getting lapped, but needing to rest for a 50 once or twice during a set? Seems silly to try and go through all the scenarios. I see why people have such trouble with this. I'll take it to another extreme example. You normally swim in the fast lane. But you injured your shoulder (for example), so you need to swim a lot slower. Now, if your shoulder wasn't hurting, you'd be just as fast as everyone else. Do you stay in the fast lane, but swim slower, because all things being equal, that's where you'd be? Of course not. Interestingly, I've seen top masters swimmers (national and world) still stay in the fast lane injured and just do their own thing. And on the flip side, I've been injured or was getting over an illness and I tried to get in a slower lane and was not allowed to do so by the coach. I'm starting to think there are no rules b/c it all depends. . .

This is why I like going last. So I can opt-out whenever I want and not have other people get irritated that I'm bumping their intervals back and forth by 5 seconds.