Stupid question about lap counting cards

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

Former Member — Sat, 22 May 2010 05:03:23 GMT

last year had to swim 4 times in a day non-stop for 30 minutes (it was a competition) The first one I counted up to 2200 meters, the second I counted up to 1200, and in the last one I lost count at 300 meters... So, I think that it depends on your concentration and how tired you are, I hate to swim without knowing how many lapts are left, it ****s up my splits.

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

Former Member — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:35:44 GMT

Kind of hard to blame the lap counters when there were none. Lap counting cards :D

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

Patrick W. Brundage — Wed, 19 May 2010 12:00:11 GMT

"At one California high school meet where there were no lap counters, nearly an entire heat of the girls’ 500 freestyle lost track of how many laps they had raced. Everyone in the heat except for the girl in last place assumed the girl in first place was keeping the right count. While everyone else was hanging on the wall thinking they were done with the race, the girl in last place—who knew exactly how many lengths of the pool she still needed to race—flip-turned. By the time the others in the heat figured out what was going on (and what the coaches had been yelling about) the girl who had been in last place was nearly 25-yards ahead of everyone else. She finished the race in first place. Always count your own laps. Even if you have a lap counter." I can see losing count on a 1000 or 1650, but a 500? I've always found it odd that people never seem to use lap counters on a 16-lap 400 SCM, but almost ALWAYS seem to use counters on a 20-lap 500 SCY free.

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

knelson — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:03:19 GMT

It seems lap counters are not dependable, according to this: "At one California high school meet where there were no lap counters..." Kind of hard to blame the lap counters when there were none.

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

Former Member — Wed, 19 May 2010 06:04:00 GMT

If I don't lose count in a 500, I wasn't swimming hard enough. Some combination of oxygen deprivation and wishful thinking means I'm never 100% sure of the count in the last 150 yards or so. Me too. And if I am trying to race the field instead of just focusing on swimming my own race, I lose track on a 200y/400m. Sometimes I can see a paceclock or the scoreboard while I'm swimming or during the turn. Better to lose a half-second on a distance event peeking at the clock than to lose count. I quit swimming the 500 & longer at most meets just because it was too stressful getting somebody reliable to count. It was not fun being on the blocks with your counter nowhere to be seen.

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

Former Member — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:12:18 GMT

If I don't lose count in a 500, I wasn't swimming hard enough. Some combination of oxygen deprivation and wishful thinking means I'm never 100% sure of the count in the last 150 yards or so.

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

osterber — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:39:58 GMT

For that holder, you've got to take it apart with an allen wrench (hex wrench). -Rick

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

osterber — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:39:09 GMT

I've seen plenty of people miscount a 200 yard event. Saw it happen in championship finals of a college conference meet about 20 years ago. Leader in the 200 free was on pace for about a 1:38, and hit the wall at the 150 and stopped, thinking he was done. Oops. -Rick

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

EdMarch — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:28:35 GMT

Here is the link to my holder: www.swim2000.com/.../

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

smontanaro — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:33:16 GMT

I can see losing count on a 1000 or 1650, but a 500? If I'm tired (or bored) I can lose count on a 200... :blush:

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

Former Member — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:09:50 GMT

It seems lap counters are not dependable, according to this: "At one California high school meet where there were no lap counters, nearly an entire heat of the girls’ 500 freestyle lost track of how many laps they had raced. Everyone in the heat except for the girl in last place assumed the girl in first place was keeping the right count. While everyone else was hanging on the wall thinking they were done with the race, the girl in last place—who knew exactly how many lengths of the pool she still needed to race—flip-turned. By the time the others in the heat figured out what was going on (and what the coaches had been yelling about) the girl who had been in last place was nearly 25-yards ahead of everyone else. She finished the race in first place. Always count your own laps. Even if you have a lap counter."

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 18 May 2010 04:58:07 GMT

Allen wrenches have worked on every holder I've had.

RE: Stupid question about lap counting cards

Redbird Alum — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:42:05 GMT

Ed - There are many types/models of lap counting cards.... can you post a link to the model/type you are using?