Monday, December 13, 2010

Dilemma! And Giveaway Winner.

The very lucky winner of the Ultimate Stocking Giveaway (with a whopping 395 entries) is #296 – ShebaJC from Thankfully Thorns Have Roses. You are one lucky chick. Now you can bathe in GU while wearing cool sunglasses, hats and socks. Email me at shutuprun@gmail.com and I’ll tell you how to claim your prize.

Holy crap. I have been so bombarded by work lately someone should just permanently solder (I know. Big, official word. No I am not a welder) the computer keyboard to my fingers. And, my office chair to my ass. This is getting ridiculous.

Here I am working. I only pick my nose when I really need to concentrate:

P1080516

But, I always have time for you. And, the pool. Which brings me to today’s dilemma. Choose a side and let me know.

Question: Is it wrong/inappropriate to use the lap lane for water running?

Scenario: Today I was doing a 52 minute interval workout. I started in the deep end, but the pussy posse started to invade my space and I was feeling crowded. Plus, these ladies really like to chat, chat, chat and I’m not much of a chatter when I’m doing intervals. I’m more of  huffer and puffer. Like when I smoke.

So, I decided to move to a lap lane. Keep in mind the lifeguards had told me I could do this. I asked an older gentleman (penis posse member?) if I could share his lane. He seemed peeved. He said, “Well…I guess” with the same conviction that I say, “Well, I guess” when someone asks me to clean up the dog diarrhea on the carpet.

I started my thing, being very careful to stay on my side of the lane, giving grandpa ample room. The second another lane became open, Mr. Irritated moved over. I know he was pissed. I could read it in the lines on his face.

I should add, I would NOT attempt this with more than two people in a lane.

There are two sides:

Opposing: Hell no!! Lap lanes are for swimming only. Not dorky water running. I don’t care if you have a broken hip.

In Favor: Why not? I mean as long as you are just using your half of the lane, who cares what you’re doing? You paid the same amount to get in the pool as the lap swimmers. You should be free to gallop, cartwheel or do the Macarena to your heart’s content. Plus, if the PO (pool officials) say it’s okay, then you’re good.

I am curious what you think. Yay or Nay?

I realize I might get my ass chewed on this one. All you tri people will be sayin’, “NO you di’int!”

Not that it matters, but I already decided that I have to move my workout time. I don’t want to fight for room for my pussy and I don’t want to share a lane. But, I still am wanting to know your opinion…what’s the right thing to do?

Getting back to work,

SUAR

60 comments:

  1. You should be free to gallop, cartwheel, poo, pee, shout cuss words, show off your tanned backside or do the Macarena to your heart’s content.

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  2. One vote Yay. Though I'd say as long as those you share a lane with can still do their thing then go for it! (Not a current swimmer, but have in years past).

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  3. Totally depends on the water walker. If I've seen them several times before and they're not some grouchy old fart and are swimmer-friendly... meaning no crazy elbows swinging around, then no problem. If they are taking up 3/4 of the lane and have a sense of entitlement, then they better be prepared to get splashed every time I kick by. I'm all for "Can't we all get along," but I swear there are some that are just plain mean.

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  4. I say it's the same as having to share a lane with another swimmer as long as you stay on your side and they stay on theres no prob! There have been times I have to fight for part of the lane with kids jumping over or under the lane ropes or the swimmer that doesn't see the line in the middle so I don't see the big deal...

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  5. I use the lap lane for pool running ALL the time. I just make sure to go during "off hours." And I think we all need to share no matter what kind of "swimming" your doing.
    LC

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  6. I have a huge opinion on what is ok and not ok in "my" lap pool :-)

    Water running: ok

    Not sharing your lane with a water runner: not ok.

    Swimming actual laps: ok!!

    Cooling off from the sauna in my lane: not ok

    Necking with your girlfriend and taking up a whole lane so I can't swim: not ok

    Wearing goggles, looking like you're going to swim, but then only making it one length of the pool for every 10 minutes of resting: not ok

    I see my lap pool as a treadmill and if someone jumps onto my treadmill (or my half of the lane)...watch out! I have a wicked Karate chop!

    He was in the wrong. What a grinch.

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  7. What's his problem? I'm sure you water jogged faster than he swam anyway ;p

    well, I understand both sides here. The lap lanes are pretty wide, so I don't see anything wrong with sharing a lane. I don't think he was doing butterflies right? And I don't think you were zigzagging in front of him either.

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  8. i say challenge the old dude to a water running race. and if that doesnt work, drown him.

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  9. Love the work photo!

    I posted something on Facebook a couple of weeks ago that described me in a similar pose for work :)

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  10. Dude, WTF?? I thought the giveaway didn't end until tomorrow?? It said the 14th! How is a procrastinator like me ever going to make it in life if people move up deadlines?

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  11. As long as you stay on your side of the lane I say you can do what ever the hell you want over there. (see first comment)

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  12. I say go for it. What does it matter what you are doing? Swimming, running, etc. as long as you stay out of the other person's way. So dumb. You had the green light from the pool police so I'd keep doing what you're doing.

    Love the pic.

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  13. RunnuRmark...I am such a dork. Did it really say 12/14???? So sorry. I'm lame. And a nose picker.

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  14. Life Guard says OK - then OK.

    However - and you know I'm a runner not a swimmer...

    My pool has one area designated for lap swimming and another designated for "other". Water running just has to be in the "other" category. That might be because swimmers move at one pace and "others" move at a different, slower pace. That differential would likely be annoying to everybody - and maybe dangerous.

    And what if your swimmer is working on her backstroke or butterfly?

    Conclusion - I'm in the same camp as Shannon and CautiouslyAudacious. Let's all just get along.

    And I see the surgeon tomorrow morning. Maybe I will find a light at the end of my swimming-not-running tunnel.

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  15. i don't think it's wrong to use the lap lane for water running but i don't think it's nice to try and share it with someone who's swimming (just like i don't think it'd be nice if a swimmer tried to jump into the lane you were in).

    at least in the pools that i've gone to the lanes are used that you swim down on one side and up on the other. i think it'd just get a bit messy and you'd be running into each other.

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  16. The pool is for exercise. If you get a lane - do what you want in it.

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  17. If you're not interfering with one another, why not share? I guess I just don't see the problem - you use your half and he can use his. Now if it's an up and back loop, and one of you is faster I could see the problem. If not, I don't see an issue.

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  18. I gotta say, when I'm swimming laps I really hate to share a lane. HOWEVER, I *never* get an attitude if someone asks if they can share because I know I have to ask often enough.

    As for the chatters, they make me ill. I can't stand it when people (usually women) get in the pool to just screw around and yak about nothing. Do that in the sauna if you have to. Or better yet, take your A$$ home and have a cuppa tea! I don't chat when I'm working out. That's why a run with the dog.

    Anyone who gets in the pool with a friend, a boyfriend or a string bikini is not there to workout and should go somewhere else.

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  19. Old farts are called old farts for a reason...geez...

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  20. I swim lots, and I'll admit there is a swim lane Nazi in me that wants things orderly, like swimming with like to make best use of the space. But often there is lots of space, so my answer is sort of conditional.

    Generally I would prefer not to share a lane with someone running or swimming a very different speed than me. But if the rest of the pool is occupied with craziness, or floaties, and we all agree we're going to split the lane, then is all is well.

    The problem comes when another swimmer joins us. In that case the runner has to go join the pussy posse, because there is no way two swimmers and one runner are going to be able to go in circles in one lane and be happy. That runner is sure gonna miss the liver I carve out of their chest with my stroke if they get in front of me. If there's no other space, then I'll just cope with a slow swimmer, or they'll have to cope with me passing where ever I can. Or if I suddenly become the slow swimmer then I need to watch out for the faster one.

    The difference between a slow simmer and a runner is that the froth of bubbles will often tell me I'm coming up behind a swimmer and there is a little more time involved. And no, I'm not looking at them, I'm looking at the bottom of the pool. Runners leave no such froth and go much slower so I'm more likely to swim into them.

    I'm big on swimmers fitting into an existing pattern in a lane, and making sure they are getting into a lane where their speed will fit in. If several are swimming in a circle I'll join in. But if two are splitting the lane, I make sure that both know I'm there, and we agree on circling. There is so much thinking going on while swimming that I don't have a lot of attention left over to deal with weirdness in my lane.

    Lastly, good luck water running in the swim lanes in most of the pools here. The city pools aren't deep enough to water run, so you have to go into the dive tank, and share with whatever is going on there.

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  21. I disagree with Emz, though. Don't pee or poo in the pool.

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  22. Whatever you do in your half of the lane is A-ok with me. I have to deal with old ladies who decide to backstroke by taking up the entire lane, swinging their arms out wide, swerving the entire time because they can't see where they're going. That is NOT ok. Water running? Have at it.

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  23. I say you can do it if you stay on your side. NBD.

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  24. If it's a pool that's slow enough where you can split lanes, then I think it's fine. If the lifeguard said go ahead, then it should be fine.

    Having said that, I'll admit that it wouldn't work at the pool I generally swim at. It's rare to have only 2 people per lane, which means you circle swim and let the faster people pass at the wall. Doesn't work if you're staying in one place.

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  25. Detroit - had to look up NBD. That's how out of touch I am.

    NO BIG DEAL for others of you who may be out of touch or is it just me? OIIJM?

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  26. Do what you like. Just don't pee in the pool.

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  27. Ha ha, I about looked up OIJM... you're not more out of touch than me.

    I say yes lap it up to your heart's content or as much as you have too. :) Especially if there is enough room for you to have your own side.

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  28. OK, here's what I think. Guy 1 (first guy) shouldn't have had a problem. Not only is splitting a lane common, but the fact you asked first is maybe not rare but it also doesn't happen all the time either.

    The only person I could see potentially getting annoyed is the third on the scene who showed up and wanted to swim laps in the lane you where using, especially if one lane is reserved for non lap activity. But that didn't happen as you tell the story so I don't think there wasn't an etiquette issue just a grumpy old man issue.

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  29. When you're thinking...it's NOT picking your nose...It's tickling your brain.

    Swim where you like. You're SUAR for flip sake...DO THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE?

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  30. INJY... BTW, OMG, & WTF was up with that OF, I vote, NBD. :)

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  31. As a former swimmer who was decent enough to go to state in Texas in high school (okay yes, slightly reliving the glory days), I have to say I'd rather have a water runner who knew what she was doing rather than an old fart who can barely stay on one side of the lane.

    When I try to go to the pool on occasion these days, people who can't share a lane and stay on their side bug me more than anything else. No offense to those old farts out there. I'm glad they get out there. But there's something about them that has taught them bad habbits of sharing swim lanes. They usually aren't good about sharing a lane with anyone. As a good swimmer and a wannabe fast runner, I'd take you in the same lane any day. :) Water Run on chicka.

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  32. Q - that's what I yelled throughout the pool!! Don't you know who the EFF I AM??? I'M SUAR. I HAVE STICKERS!

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  33. Just got this note from Sheba jc .

    Dear SUAR please send all my winnings in the give away to TRI714.

    THANK YOU.


    P.S I say yah on the lane only because you are active in the lane. If you were not. I'm kind of a prick like this and would say N F W.

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  34. As a fellow pool runner, I always offer to share my lane with a swimmer. While some would argue that it's for "swimmers" only, I feel that I am a paying member and swimming or running, I'm not taking up extra space. I wear a hat in the water to prevent getting splashed too much in the water. I have actually found that most swimmers would rather share the lane with me than with another swimmer, as I take up less room and since I don't go up & down so quickly, it's less stressful for them. But I always ask if they mind if I share and I always wave them to me if they look uncertain if they can share a lane with me.

    I have found most swimmers to be very cool about it and alot of times they decide to give it a try at the end of their swim and will tell me, "hey that's really hard!"

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  35. I swim a lot and I say ok to run if you stay on your side and if that is the only option, if pool is crowded or all other lanes are full.
    (hmm no pee or poo please...)

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  36. As for THAT guy, wait until he comes to the pool and finds you already there, guess who'll have their tail between their legs asking you if you mind sharing the lane with him...

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  37. I aqua jogged and shared lanes with a swimmer many times, They were usually asking me questions and never seemed to mind. That guy was a sour puss.. Leave it at that.

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  38. Given I work out at just your local 24 Hour fitness, I don't have a choice if I run in a lane or not...if they don't like it, then they can wait:)

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  39. I think it's totally fine when there are two people in the lane (you and a swimmer). If there are three, which often happens during peak times, I'd probably defer to the swimmers or make sure that I'm in the slowest of the slow lanes so that I'm not holding anyone up. Luckily, the lifeguards at our pool will sometimes group all of the pool runners in a single lane if the dive tank is closed because of, say, something like synchronized swimming.

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  40. If you are on you side and stay there it's no different than if sharing a lane with a super slow poke (which is usually me..) you go girl, the old guys just mad because you were about to lap him...

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  41. psssht who cares what the annoying lap swimmer thinks, you didn't say anything about his way-too-small speedo, right?

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  42. If you're splitting the lane, then who cares? Especially if you cleared it with the lifeguard!

    The guy has a stick up his butt. Though I always like having my own lane when it's an option. Fewer witnesses when I hit the lane markers. :)

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  43. Maybe he was just having a bad day SUAR? Take him a muffin and a coffee tomorrow as a peace offering and see what happens....have a great tomorrow!

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  44. I pick my nose when I work, too. We have so much in common. I think you were being very cooperative, you did your best to stay out of his way. I have a feeling he was just having a PMS day and was taking it out on you. Keep it up lady!

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  45. my general rule with sharing lanes is that the slower swimmer,runner or what ever always give way to the faster person. So if there is 2 swimmer n a runner, runner gives way to both, then swimmer gives way to stronger swimmer, seems to work at my pool! ox Trace

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  46. It is totally fine for you to use the lap lane. That old fart was just that...an old fart.

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  47. Okay, I have some cred in this argument as I spent my summer water running. Hell yes, you can use the lap lane. Yes, yes, yes. It's YOUR half of the lane. BTW, nice ABS! Now I feel bad for making my comment about the heel strike. Hope we are still BFF's.

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  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  49. Definitely a yay, and seasons greetings from the UK!!

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  50. I'm not aware of any lane monopoly enjoyed by old farts or triathletes (differences, anyone?).

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  51. You can totally use the lap lanes for pool running. I have a pussy posse that takes over a lane once a week to aquajog together. Strength (and no mind numbing boredom) in numbers :)

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  52. Use the lap lane, but stay on your side! I bet you can't wait to be back on the pavement.

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  53. I don't even think he had a problem with sharing is lane with a water runner, he just had a problem of sharing his lane.

    Some people just don't share well....

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  54. You asked him, and he said yes. He shouldn't have a problem. Sounds like a Mr. Grumpy-pants to me.

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  55. I think that you did is fine. It's not something you did for the fun of it, it was out of necessity. And the PO did say it was ok to do it. I think you were just dealing with a grumpy old man.

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  56. I'll be in the minority. I haven't been in pool with lanes for more decades than I can remember but I'd be grumpy about sharing too. Course, it could be because I'm used to swimming in the sea where I only have to share with dive boats, rays and fish (and squid and the odd tortuga) and spoiled with the room. But I would TOTALLY have said, "YES" to your request and then probably hopped to an empty lane like he did also. Maybe he wasn't grumpy but in pain?

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  57. I say do what you want, your SUAR & your running boston in april. :)

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  58. I sometimes swim laps at the Y, which means I have dealt with my fair share of the older people who are hanging out at one end chatting. Or the ones who swim a lap, then rest for 20 minutes, then swim a lap. The other day, this mom had her two kids with her and was letting them PLAY in the lap lanes. They also kept crossing into my lane in front of me. Not okay. Personally I say that if I am splitting a lane with someone, and they are considerate enough to ask whether or not running on their side would get in my way, they are probably A-okay. And by that I mean not that you have to actually ask. But just that people who bother to contemplate the question at all usually aren't the problem in the lap lanes. The problem comes with the people that don't consider whether or not whatever they're doing might be better suited to the "free swim" area. Like the mom with her kids. And don't get me wrong--I have kids and I love them. My six-year-old is even a pretty decent swimmer. But I would never allow her to try to share a lap lane with an adult because I know how annoying that could get.

    There's a whole lot of etiquette going on in the pool, isn't there? It took me a while to get it sorted out, and then it seems like there are different rules for different pools so who even knows!! Just wait until the new year hits and all the new year's resolution people join in the fun... But then again hopefully you'll be running then!

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  59. I think it's bullshit that man was so unfriendly about sharing his lane. What an ass-wipe! Excuse my language. You paid the same fee so who gives a flying f@*& if you are water running or doing the back stroke. You're using what is rightfully yours to use.

    that old man swimmer needs to take the stick out of his a$$.

    Wow. this one really got me riled up. I need a cigarette.

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