General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swim question... failed kindergarten. Rss Feed  
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2004-09-07 8:56 PM

Member
25
25
Birmingham, AL
Subject: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
Ok, this might sound like a retarded question and that I should remediate into kindergarten again but I can never keep track of my laps in the pool (25 yard pool). My problem is I start counting laps but my mind starts to wander and plays tricks on me "Am I at lap 13 or 14? Thirteen is my favorite number, hmm I wonder if anyone else likes thirteen even though it's bad luck." These are the kind of things that I think while in the pool, by that point I've done 3, 4 or 5 more laps.

So then I decided I would start counting the alphabet and name animals with that letter per lap. But again "F, ferret, feral cat, fox... hmm fox I wonder if foxes like the water. I wonder if they eat fish?" Just completely stupid stuff. So basically I can't count numbers or the alphabet and probably have ADD.

Does anyone have a suggestion for counting laps or keeping track of them anyway?


2004-09-07 9:06 PM
in reply to: #58846

Member
43
25
San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.

wow.  i never had that happen.  try making up a little song.  say your on lap 3 so something like: three in a tree.  that's three in a tree.  i wonder if they're free.  the three in a tree.  have it all rhyme.  you would only have trouble with 7 and 11...  i don't know if this will work but it's what i would do if i had that problem.

2004-09-07 9:12 PM
in reply to: #58846

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Expert
1836
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Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
I bring a water bottle with me. There are 20 red tiles along the edge of the lanes, and I can move the bottle one tile for each 50 yards I swim. Crude, but effective. This also allows me to count my strokes, which in turn allows me to monitor my form better.
2004-09-07 9:15 PM
in reply to: #58846

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Extreme Veteran
443
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Manitoba, Canada
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
This is an older thread I found the other day - tried it and IT WORKED! It is strangely difficult to concentrate in the water. Maybe something to do with sensory deprivation in the water


http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...
2004-09-07 9:40 PM
in reply to: #58846

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2004-09-08 9:22 PM
in reply to: #58846

Expert
704
500100100
Durham, CA
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
Don't feel bad - I have the same problem. My solution, however crude, is to stand up 5 sets of swim bouys. Each lap, I knock one over, when I knock the last one over (end of lap five) I start putting them back up (one per lap). Go thru the cycle four times and you have twenty laps.

Yes, I am the only one at the pool that does this - but I justify my incompetence by telling myself that the other people in the pool probably can't run or ride a bike!!!

Dennis


2004-09-08 10:00 PM
in reply to: #58846

Member
25
25
Birmingham, AL
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
Thanks for all the advice, I think I'm going to try to sing a song with letters. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow after my swim. I like the idea of having things on the side of the pool to move or knock over (take some aggression out too!), but once I stop my momentum I'm done for. We'll see how it goes.
2004-09-08 10:15 PM
in reply to: #58846

Extreme Veteran
534
50025
Brisbane
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
Wow, I'm not the only one who failed kindergarten!
I tried the lap time approach and it worked...whenever I lose track I check my times for the 100m.

Good luck!
2004-09-09 12:28 AM
in reply to: #58846

Regular
66
2525
Milwaukee
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
I did try once the bottle thing but someone took my water bottle and put it on the table. Also I did try those lap counters that fit your finger (speedo?). I lost the little thing, now to keep track of the laps without outside problems I put marbles in a pouch tucked in my lower back, so after each lap I drop one (in the water) near the wall. At the end I just pick my marbles and that's it.


Soon to be back and meet the snow in Milwaukee! Yahuaaa!
2004-09-09 9:51 PM
in reply to: #58846

Central Louisiana
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.

If there are lane markers/floats in your pool there is usually some slack between the disc. To start push the disc away from you and as you complete a lap, push one disc to the wall of the pool.  The disc will usually stay in place well enough to help you keep count and you don't have to think very much to do this.

2004-09-10 12:49 AM
in reply to: #58846

Member
43
25
San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
i want the little finger counter thing! that's adorable! i like the marbles/pennies idea. it sounds really good. and then i have money to buy a powerade!


2004-09-10 9:29 AM
in reply to: #58846

Veteran
247
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Mesa, AZ
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
I found what works for me is using the lap timer on my watch. I just start the timer and count my 4 lengths (100yds) and hit the lap button, count 4 lengths, hit the lap button. the # of laps indicated on the watch is the total number of 100yds. pretty easy. I only have to count to 4. if the mind wonders around 2 or3 the timer on the watch helps remind you which lap your on.
2004-09-10 9:50 AM
in reply to: #58846

Member
36
25
Orange County
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
I do the same as jchyte.  Even though remediating kindergarten might be advisable for me as well, I CAN count to 4 fairly consistently.  With my watch/monitor/chrono thingymacbob, I just press the lap counter at the end of 4 laps.  Multiply lap count by 4 and you have total lengths.  Multiply lap count by 100 and you have total yardage.  Keeping it simple works for the simple minded like me :-)
2004-09-10 1:20 PM
in reply to: #58846

Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
I do the same as dgerts and jchyte. I used to do the alphabet thing. I have found that the chrono/lap watch method allows me to relax more and focus on technique
2004-09-10 1:51 PM
in reply to: #58846

Master
1967
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Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
I use to have this problem all the time - I rectified it by repeating the lap number I am on in my head every stroke until I turn.

1...1...1...1...1...1...1...1...1...1...turn...2...2...2...2...2...2...2...2..2...etc...

Not terribly exciting but surprisingly effective.

Bill
2004-09-10 3:03 PM
in reply to: #58846

Member
22

Chelsea, MI
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
I've swam enough to know what my average time is per 100 yards, so when I'm doing long swims (over 300 yards per set), I keep a close eye on the pace clock. I always lose count if I'm swimming longer than 8 laps, but if I watch the clock then I know what lap I should be on based on my speed. Of course, if I'm swimming more than 1000 yards in a row, I can be off by 50 yards if I'm not paying close attention, but it's not a big deal. I usually tack on an extra 50 in those cases when I'm not really sure, becasue I'd hate to think I short-changed myself by one little lap!


2004-09-10 3:12 PM
in reply to: #58846

Member
24

South Portland, ME
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
I have swam competitively off and on from the time I was 10 and I still lose track (I am 34 now). The only thing that seems to work for me is saying in my mind 1 - 25, 1 -50, 1 - 75, 1-100....then 2 - 25, 2- 50, 2 - 75, 2-100....etc
2004-09-10 3:15 PM
in reply to: #58846

Veteran
289
100100252525
Colorado Springs
Subject: RE: Swim question... failed kindergarten.
same problem, at ab out lap 3 usually I forget completely what my lap count is and then just swim for time.
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