"mewthree" <
[email protected]> wrote in
news:
[email protected]:
> i finf it hard to remember how many laps i have done because of my
> short term memory problem being dyslexic. is there a way for me to
> count laps.
>
I found a few ways to handle this.
First I count Lengths, so each time I touch a wall I increment the
number, this has the benefit that I KNOW going one direction should be
an EVEN number and going the other should always be an ODD.
Next I am committed to erring on the "safe side" when I do lose count.
translated this means if I passed length 67 and suddenly forget where I
am, I *think* it should be 68,69 or maybe 70 depending which direction I
am going -- but becuase I lost count I give myself a "penalty" and go
back to number 67 (the last length I was SURE OF). This gives a certain
amount of incentive to _not_ lose count
I also try to count in intervals I can grasp; typically groups of 6,
10, 18, 20, 36, or 72 --- YMMV I count lengths, but am only really
interested in US Miles; unfortunately doing the conversion in my head
while swimming is not a good idea. So I break it up into 1 mile, 1/2
mile, 1/4 mile, etc.
I try to say the length number multiple times as I push off the wall, I
usually will speak it (under water) outloud with the stroke leading to a
breath (on the exhale) 4-5 times. This takes me nearly across the pool
and I ready to alternate from odd to even or vice-versa.
Most importantly, I try to keep my head in the game. Staring at the
good-looking swimmer next to me is a sure fire way to wonder if I just
said 26 or 28.
Again, YMMV - but I do the above with a very minimum amount of time with
my head above the water. My typical workout these days is about 1 hr 10
minutes and covers 2.5 miles distance. That is 180 lengths of a 25 yard
pool ! I break it up into something like 72 (free)
18 (pull)
36 (kick)
18 (pull)
9x4 (sets, free/IM/etc.)
it varies day to day ;-)