I hit the pool at the YMCA this morning while my boys were in karate. I suveyed the pool and saw 4 lanes worth of swim lessons 2 full lanes and one lane with two ladies doing water aerobics? (playing jumprope with the noddles). So I took the last lane. This is normally the adult activity lane (ie water walking, etc) but there was no sign this morning and there was circle swim only sing either. So I hugged the lane line and provided plenty of space for folks to come join the lane. Did a HIM swim and got about 1000 in until it got interesting. A group of swimmers took over the water areobics ladies lane and not so politely asked them to move to my lane and just about the same time an old guy walking joined my lane. So the water aerobics ladies joined my lane and we all peacefully coexisted. Then another dude come to the lane after the ladies got out, watches me for a few laps and then joins in. Obviously, I'm splitting the lane and hugging the lane line up and down. Well imagine my surprise when I nearly have a head on collision with this dude coming back. "Come on Man." was all I said. Lets just say he gave me plenty of space for the rest of the swim. It charged me up for the rest of the swim and got me to put alot more effort into it and lap this guy a few time.
However, afterwards I wonder if I overreacted. Communication is important and the person joining the lane is responsible to make sure both swimmers are on the same page (Ie split or circle swim or you get a head to head situation as we had.) Big scheme of things it wasn't a big deal as we avoided the collision and other than 3 words nothing was said, but I sort of felt guilty for snapping at the guy (even though I felt justified at the time) .
So was I in the right or wrong? Thanks for your feedback.
I thought that was rather mild - LOL!
ReplyDeleteHey did you say, "Come on man!" like Michael Irvin on the Sunday morning NFL Pregame show?? That would be awesome!
Actually that was what I was shooting for.
ReplyDeleteI get very worked up when things like this happen to me in the pool. I think you handled it quite well.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be absolutely no etiquette at the pools anymore (in terms of joining in lanes, water aerobics taking over EVERY lane, etc.). I've said MUCH worse to people at the pool, including the staff.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jeff. If he watched before he joined then he knew wether you were swimming circles or in just half the lane. You could just swim over him; non-triathletes aren't a fan of that, and usually you get the lane all to yourself after that.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I missed this but holy crap, that would have ticked me off. It is crazy that you had that many people in the lane with you, not to mention the bonehead who rammed you. Which, by the way, I think you were very nice to given the circumstances.
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