Counting Laps while swimming

the floatie things on lane markers.  Usually there is some slack letting you slide them back and forth.

I do the multiplication thing too.  For instance, for 5 laps, I count to 2, then after lap 3 I count backward from 2.  So it goes lap 1, lap 2, lap 3, 2 left, 1 left, done.  If I'm doing 10 laps, I do this twice.  If i'm doing 20 laps, I do it 10, 10.  Everything is broken down into 5's.

I'm guessing its the plastic cicles that make up the lane dividers.  Slide one down just like you were counting on an abacus.

Me, I use the lap button on my watch and count that way if I'm doing something continuous or intervals, or whatever.  Take very early this morning...I'm doing a steady 30 min swim, my steady pace is right around 1:35 per 100 and was planning on hitting my lap button every 100y.   My splits were 3:08, 3.16, 1.36, 1.27, 1.37, 1.40, 1.40, 2.14, .48, 1.36, 3.13, 2.22, 0.48, 1.33, 1.33, 1.34, 0.47. 

I think I need a new brain or need to do all my swimming after a cup of coffee. 

thanks.  you are the first person to understand what it is

HEY!!! I like that gummy bear idea!

Seriously though, I always struggle with keeping count. I will say the lap count over and over while I'm swimming along or look at my watch to see how the time is because I am not very fast and can figure where I should be. Any time I've lost count, I'll try figure out where I lost it but in the end, I may be off a couple of laps but if I've been in the water 40 mins or so, I figure I've done a pretty good job of working my body anyhow.

I do a predetermined workout. I wrap it in plastic, or put it in a baggie and then just go. There are swim SETS in the workout... I usually only have to worry about counting to 500 yards, as that's as long as the longest SET usually is... and then I break it down into 5 100's in my head... but I still lose count sometimes.

Look at my logs there are many many many examples of workouts you can use. Just cut and paste them. I've been logging swim workouts since last November.... maybe longer!  

I have an electronic lap counter that fits on my finger.  I've used that when I was doing a long, continuous workout.

These days, I try to go in with a planned workout.  As someone else mentioned, it's much easier to keep track when you are doing planned sets and intervals.

I don't know why i though i was the onlyone with this problem. The button doesn't work so smoothly on my timex. I usually get off by only a couple laps so i take the smaller number. it helps me to pay attention. I also think on a regular basis, time is more important than counting laps. If you know how many laps you can do in a certain time period, seems like it would be about the same next time. you could occasionally take someone with you to count the laps. good luck finding someone.