Counting laps in the pool--how do you do it? (Page 2)

I know my pace, so I just look at my watch periodically when hitting the wall and I can figure out where I'm at.

Another trick I've used is a ROY G BIV - the colors of the rainbow.  I have used this when I'm doing numbers sets and don't want to lose track of sets AND laps.

Last couple of swims, I've used a combination of lap number (for odd laps) and 100's (even laps).  So the sequence went something like this:

1
100
3
200
5
300

With the dramatically different systems, it's hard to get "off count."   I have a pretty steady pace, so I'll confirm with the wall clock at the end of the swim. 

Just hit my poolside watch every 100; pretty consistent(slow) pace gives me a fair idea for distance on the OWS.

I don't, I just go by time.

While it may not seem much different, I count flip turns. I am less likely for whatever reason to lose count. If your doing a long swim start at a time that is easy to remember (not 4:21:38). After about 200 yds check the clock and then check it again after another 100. This is an approximate pace. I use this second bit of info to confirm my distance after I stop. Sounds like a pain? It is until you get used to it. I've done ALOT of long swims and this seems to work for me. I also use the incentive approach. If I can't decide if I've done 36 turns or 38 turns I assume it is the lower one.

anything over 1k I break it up into 3rds so a 1500 would have 3x500.  And In that 500 I would count to 20, by evens, dont' worry about lap # on the 25's.  So then just start over every 500.

so 2,4,6,..20, 2,4,6...