Thursday, September 29, 2011

Pool-running etiquette

Believe it or not, there is such a thing.

It doesn't seem like there should be. After all, how hard can it be?  It's not like you're sharing a track and jostling for lane 1.  Thing is, you're actually in close proximity to others for an extended period of time, doing something that's pretty tedious and potentially miserable.  If everyone adheres to certain rules, it's just a bit more pleasant.  Ergo:

  • If you're sharing a lane, try not to be more than 2 across, unless it's a very wide lane or your group has the lane to yourselves.
  • If you're running with a buddy, you're going to be chit chatting face to face for a while.  Brush your teeth!  Mouthwash! (fortunately, I've never had this issue with any of my pool-running buddies).
  • If you have a large group of people, it works better to circle than to go back and forth -- the latter ends up turning into a slow motion aqua version of the "red rover" game.
  • Know your audience, seriously.  Don't discuss your sex life with total strangers.
  • If you get there early, don't take your buddy's favorite pool-running belt.  We tend to be pretty possessive about that stuff.
  • When your friend is trying to gather the courage to get into the pool, splashing water at her (or him) does NOT help.
  • If you are a swimmer, do NOT "buzz" the pool-runners, or swim under them.
  • If you are a splashy swimmer, try to give the pool-runners extra clearance.  Believe it or not, many of us were hoping to keep our hair dry.
  • Despite all of the above, seriously, don't get too wound up in it.  It's just pool-running.
Any others?

    5 comments:

    1. whacking other pool runners with noodles is only fair if EVERYONE has their own noodle.

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    2. OMG- I love your posts. :-) I've been fortunate not to run into any bad pool running etiquette so I have nothing to add.

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    3. Haha love it! Most of my pool rage is a result of other swimmers, runners tend to adopt a resigned we're-in-this-together sort of approach. The biggest thing is just to be aware and considerate of those around you...good general life rule actually.

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    4. Totally agree with these, especially the splashy swimmers. Last week it was like pool running in the ocean due to waves and water spray, not fun.
      Thanks for the great post Cris!

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