FOOL AT THE POOL
Last night, on the way home from work, I stopped at the gym to swim. I thought it would not be busy since it was dinner time. I was wrong. Our gym has a lap pool with 6 lanes. They were all full. Being new to this, I had no idea what to do. Maybe I should wait until someone finishes especially since I am just learning. Another man came out and took a look and jumped in to share a lane. After 5 minutes of watching - the lady in lane 2 seemed to be just learning also so I jumped in that lane when she was close to the other end.
After 2 laps, I looked up to find the lady staring and giving me a dirty look. I did not even come near her when swimming. She immediately went to the ladder , climbed out and left.
Did I do something wrong?
Should I have asked first before jumping in?
I swam on the right of the lane- is that correct?
These are all question that I need to ask tonight at swim class. I'd rather not get my butt kicked in the parking lot.
Waddling with no pool etiquette..........
Elipptical : 25 min.
Swim : 25 min.
8 comments:
You were right. Don't let people like this intimidate you. Nobody, gets their own lane. Keep swimming and soon you will have big guns and nobody will mess with ya in the parking lot. Have fun.
It is always nice to make contact with the person in the lane you want to share but if she was alone in that lane then you were not wrong to jump in to use the other side. In fact, where lanes are all occupied by 2 people and another swimmer wants a turn it is fine to wait for the swimmers to come in and ask if they are willing to circle swim.
Like Spandex King said - don't let grumpy people derail your swimming efforts. If 1/2 a lane is open then it is open for anyone who wants to use it. It is totally unreasonable for anyone to think they get the entire lane to himself or herself.
So how did it go?
I try to make eye contact at the least with a person if I have to share a lane. And preferably, I ask which side of the lane they want (not letting them even suggest circle swimming!). Then I try to stay as far over as I can. I don't know what this woman's problem was other than maybe she was new and felt intimidated by YOU. Also, I have found right after work time is almost the busiest, up until maybe 7 pm, and then if no classes, it eases for a while before building again. Good luck figuring everything out!
I was told, when I was a newbie, that you dangle your legs, or stand, at the end of the lane so the other person can see you. Then when they approach they will usually acknowledge you and figure out which side everyone wants to swim on. Don't worry, it will get easier. And if anyone tries to beat you up in the parking lot, you could probably outrun them :)
I think you were fine at the pool. Don't let anyone bug you. I know everyone at the gym must think I'm weird. I dance to my next weight machine. You are doing awesome.
Where do you live in the chicagoland area? I'm in the northwest suburbs.
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Have a blessed day.
I try to ask the person in the lane if they mind if I share and then I'll tell them that I will "just stay on this side, ok?" so they don't expect me to circle because I am usually slower then they are and don't want the stress of wondering where they are or when then might be catching me which could lead to a collision at the turn. I also try to go to the pool during the less busy times if possible. Sometimes, I find that if I have the chance to chat after the swim with the other person and compliment them on their speed if they are fast, then they will sometimes share tips on how they got so fast--and it will also break some of the ice so if I see them again I feel ok about saying hello.
One last thing--whenever I'm the first one in the lane and somebody asks me to share, I try to smile and be friendly and again clear that I will stay on my side of the lane--which they likely will figure out from my vast array of pool toys ;-)
(that's another tip...pool toys like buoys and extra goggles and paddles and a waterbottle are fun little ways to break up the laps)
I think she just wanted the lane to herself. OH WELL! She will get over it...you showed great pool ettiquette.
(I can't spell it but you know what I mean!)
If it's busy you share lanes. Some people are so in the zone though, that they don't even see you, so might want to let them know you're there. My kids did swim team for years.
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