Swimming workouts while sharing a lane

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swimming workouts while sharing a lane Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2012-04-09 4:14 PM

User image

Veteran
241
10010025
Subject: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane

Ok...this is happening to me more and more now.  I am training for IM Mont Tremblant and doing Finks plan.  I like how he has me doing swim workouts that involve drills, intervals, etc.  I need to do these to get faster.  We all do (IMO).  Anyway, here is my problem.

The only times I can get to the pool, usually 6am on tues and fri and all lanes are full.  I usually have to share a lane with someone else which is fine but that makes it very hard to do the drills and interval sets.  When I have to share a lane, I usually end up just swimming 3000 meters at a slow and steady pace which isn't really going to get me any faster...If I do a hard 200 meter interval, I feel like i'm going to swim over the person i'm sharing the lane with.  I don't want to be rude but what is the etiquette in this situation...?

What do you all do?  Do you pass the person in the lane which isn't easy (lanes at this pool aren't very wide)? 

Thanks BT'ers

2012-04-09 4:18 PM
in reply to: #4139000

User image

Extreme Veteran
561
5002525
Wauwatosa, WI
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane
Are you circle swimming? Does the pool have rules that you have to? When I have to share a lane, I ask the person in the lane with me if they would mind splitting rather than circling. Then we can do our own thing at our own pace. So far I haven't ended up swimming right next to someone at the same time down the lane the whole way. I'll wait ten seconds so we're staggered again.
2012-04-09 4:19 PM
in reply to: #4139000

Member
73
2525
South Shore, MA
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane
I'm a swim newbie, so maybe I'm missing something.  But isn't the lane wide enough so that you can each have half and therefore no passing is necessary (like in a circle swim)?
2012-04-09 4:19 PM
in reply to: #4139000

User image

Master
2236
200010010025
Denison Texas
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane
Are you sharing with just one person? If so-split the lane-you take one side the other person takes the other side. No worries but stay alert so you don't cross the center line.
2012-04-09 4:21 PM
in reply to: #4139000

User image

Regular
1161
10001002525
Hamilton, IL
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane
My pool rules are to split the lane for two swimmers, and if both swimmers agree that a third may join, it becomes a circle lap lane.
2012-04-09 4:22 PM
in reply to: #4139000

User image

Expert
989
500100100100100252525
Broomfield, CO
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane

Ask the person who you are sharing the lane with.

Do you want to split the lane? Meaning this is my half and that is your half. That way you can do whatever you want at what ever speed.

Or Do you want to swim in a circle? If so, is it ok if we pass each other? I.e. if I touch your foot mid way will you stop at the wall and let me push off so I can continue. 

Be prepared for all answers I had people flat out say no. So I wait :-(

Good luck.

2012-04-09 4:31 PM
in reply to: #4139000

Regular
262
1001002525
Toronto, Ontario
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane
I rarely ever get to swim with my own lane. At the community pools you have loads of people sharing lanes. In terms of pool etiquette (in my experience) I think you are okay to stop when you finish your drills (i.e. if you have to stop every 50) but make sure you stop in a corner so that the other person has space to continue. Also, even if you have to start again, I would give the other swimmer 5m distance before starting just so you're not swimming over them. In terms of passing, I have zero issue (and don't think it's rude) to just swim and pass the other person - don't swim over them (etc)
2012-04-09 4:33 PM
in reply to: #4139039

User image

Pro
6191
50001000100252525
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane

jaycee6 - 2012-04-09 5:31 PM I rarely ever get to swim with my own lane. At the community pools you have loads of people sharing lanes. In terms of pool etiquette (in my experience) I think you are okay to stop when you finish your drills (i.e. if you have to stop every 50) but make sure you stop in a corner so that the other person has space to continue. Also, even if you have to start again, I would give the other swimmer 5m distance before starting just so you're not swimming over them. In terms of passing, I have zero issue (and don't think it's rude) to just swim and pass the other person - don't swim over them (etc)

This. Do your best to get in your sets and swim around the other person. It'll be ok. It is what has to happen in crowded pools.

2012-04-09 6:00 PM
in reply to: #4139019

User image

Extreme Veteran
759
5001001002525
Villanova
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane

Danno77 - 2012-04-09 4:21 PM My pool rules are to split the lane for two swimmers, and if both swimmers agree that a third may join, it becomes a circle lap lane.

This. If you're splitting, should be no problem.  No need to circle swim with only 2 in a lane.

2012-04-09 6:49 PM
in reply to: #4139000

User image

Expert
925
50010010010010025
Timmins, ON. Canada
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane
my community pool has very limited lap swimming and there is often 4-5 people/lane. Passing is a necessary albeit sometimes dangerous maneuver. Ditto on splitting the lane up if it is just two!

good luck on the IMMT training, definitely on my bucket list.
2012-04-09 7:48 PM
in reply to: #4139000

User image

Regular
459
1001001001002525
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane

If you catch up to somebody during circle swimming, you tap their toes.  They are supposed to stop at the next wall to let you pass.  If there are only 2 people in the lane, you can pass in the middle of the lane if necessary.  If you don't expect it to get busy though, it's usually nicer to split the lane if there are only two.

To be honest, I'm shocked that there are pools where people can refuse to share lanes.

2012-04-09 10:47 PM
in reply to: #4139000

User image

Regular
90
252525
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane
if more than 2 swimmers ou will be circle swimming. When it"s me I will do one long set and will do sprints in the spots where there is the biggest gap between people and then a slower pace till I can pass or they stop at the wall. I' do 2500 yards and have maybe 15 intervals in there of all differnt length some as short as 20 yards. Me speed will very alot but it is a great workout and will help with tri swimms that have alot of people. If you are a beginner just make sure your form does not break down. I am almost always the fastest person in the lane so alot of passing. Also try to pick a lane that they are going the same pace or faster than you so you can stop at the wall take a break and go agian.
2012-04-10 7:48 AM
in reply to: #4139000

User image

Master
2725
200050010010025
Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: Swimming workouts while sharing a lane
X 932 or whatever we are at... on spliting the lane if only two.  I do this all the time and it works out fine.  On the few occasions that its been so crowded that I have to circle swim I just suck it up and do it.  But I'll still try to get the feel for things as far as the other's paces and maybe work in some intervals, but I'll rarely grab the fins or kick board if I'm circling.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swimming workouts while sharing a lane Rss Feed