big whine: its possible I threw a tantrum at the pool today

[al320]

This is SO unlike me, but I totally lost my shit.

Im in this frustrsting spot where I just cant keep up with the fast people, am way faster than the slow people, and am frustrated by the tri people who kick me out of my lane, take up half the pool, do their own thing and ignore the workouts. We used to all do the same workout, but theyve been fucking it up lately (I was told im not allowed to complain about them since theyre nervous for their IM. I say that isnt a free pass to be assholes, we all have our shit). Simce then, ive been swimming with the fast people and either cutting distance or wearing fins or modifying things (free instead of stroke, eg) to keep up with them. Every now and then another woman who is the same pace as me shows up too. She wasnt there today.

Today, after warm up, they took off without me for some reason, and I couldnt catch them. I wanted to ask what to cut, but there was no one to ask (we have a "coach" and someone else who writes the workouts, they are part of the fast group). Whenever I thought I had caught them, theyd leave the wall as soon as id get there. when I thought I got their attention, they were helping someone else. I was literally swimming completely by myself, had questions about a few things, and no one to ask. It was frustrating as all hell.

So after 30 minutes, I got out of the pool, proclaimed id be better off at the Y swimming by myself and left.

Ive since talked to them and weve fixed things (I still dont get why they forgot about me, they know im in this weird spot and swim with them), but its frustrating. I wasted a morning, am too pissed to get in my last long run (I didnt do last weeks either due to a stomach cramp) and leaving on a business trip tomorrow and wont get to swim again for a few days. Im so angry.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

AND im too angry to take a nap grrr

[Susie]

Swimming is hard that way. I'm sorry.

Would it help if they wrote the workouts out and left the sheet/note card at the end of the lane so you could consult it? It can be in a baggie to say dry. I understand that they don't want to miss intervals to stop and explain (is that what's going on?), because that screws up the intensity of their workout. But there are ways to work with multi-pace groups. It's also reasonable to hold up between warm up and main set, main set and cool down to go over the set with everybody and make sure everybody knows the workout. That is usually how we compromise in my group.

I'm also sorry about the tri people. I'm a triathlete of course, but I swim with swimmers and I often look at what "non-swimmer triathletes" are doing in the pool and go... huh? But they should be expected to share lane space just like everybody else.

[al320]

May 17, 2014 9:42:07 GMT -5 Susie said:

Swimming is hard that way. I'm sorry.

Would it help if they wrote the workouts out and left the sheet/note card at the end of the lane so you could consult it? It can be in a baggie to say dry. I understand that they don't want to miss intervals to stop and explain (is that what's going on?), because that screws up the intensity of their workout. But there are ways to work with multi-pace groups. It's also reasonable to hold up between warm up and main set, main set and cool down to go over the set with everybody and make sure everybody knows the workout. That is usually how we compromise in my group.

I'm also sorry about the tri people. I'm a triathlete of course, but I swim with swimmers and I often look at what "non-swimmer triathletes" are doing in the pool and go... huh? But they should be expected to share lane space just like everybody else.

They do do that. I had questions though and couldnt catch them to ask. They used to write two workouts, but since the tri people (i have nothing against tri people, these people happen to include a few assholes, which is unrelated to them being tri people) ignore it anyway, they stopped doing it, it was a waste of time. We were perfectly multipacing up to a few weeks ago, when we tried to accomodate them, and they fucked shit up, and the team started to fall apart. They were VERY rude to me the other day, and ive been a little oversensitive ever since. I was told i was being dramatic when i was annoyed that they basically kicked me out of my lane (i basically politely told them no, im not sure how thats dramatic). Things were fine until very recently. Its so annoying. I used to love my swim team so much. Now i hate them all. (not really, that was dramatic lol)

[kams]

Well, to be honest, there are A LOT of asshole triathletes. I think triathlon attracts some great people and lots of totally cocky douchebags. But, sharing lanes is usually only a problem with the water walkers at my pool, lol.

I'm sorry it was a frustrating experience.

I tend to want everything to be fair and everyone to feel included. But, I do think that workouts, particularly while you are in training, need to be protected - people kind of need to be selfish about getting their work in, just as you should be firm about getting your work in. Having a written workout would be awesome, in case things are going this way again. Sorry, girl, I hate that it isn't fun right now

[Susie]

May 18, 2014 8:33:28 GMT -5 kams said:

Well, to be honest, there are A LOT of asshole triathletes. I think triathlon attracts some great people and lots of totally cocky douchebags. 

This, unfortunately, is also true.

I'm lucky that my club is many more cool people than dbags, but on the whole?  I agree that triathlon does attract more than its fair share of jerks.  I don't know why.  It also attracts more than its fair share of complete data geeks, gear heads, and so on.  Triathletes are weird.

[CallingAllAngels]

I am sorry you had a rough day. I love swimming (even if I am not very good at it), but this just confirms that I am fine just doing my own thing rather than joining the local masters group. I hope your team can figure out a compromise that works for everyone.

[al320]

Thanks guys! Im feeling better today. The fast people promised they wouldnt forget about me, and im just going to ignore the assholr tri people (I suggested they take one lane insteas of half the pool, but was told thats ridiculous).

I need to calm down. Grr

[joy2611]

Oh man, that sucks. I was in that weird spot during my last two years of competitive swimming. Far too fast to even lead the slower lane but definitely too slow for the fastest lane. I constantly hopped back and forth between both lanes. My coaches were sympathetic, though, since we were limited with practice lanes.

Is there anyway that you can discuss with the writer of the workouts before you get there what they're going to do? It is possible for you to get the workout and do it on your own time? I'm not sure what you're training for (sorry - I float in and out of this board), but I wouldn't want to train constantly in fins or ignoring the other strokes. But that's my preference. Cutting distance makes the most sense as long as you aren't cutting a tremendous amount.

Do they do a lot of intervals? If they're doing 50s on the 50 second (for example), can you do the same intervals with them while you can keep up and then skip an interval to catch your breath and then join back in? Or, do warm up/some parts of the workout with them and then when they're done finish up the workout on your own time? That way you get half team time and half your own training time?

I'm trying to remember other things I did when faced with this problem. It's a tough spot - I understand!

[kams]

May 18, 2014 9:31:49 GMT -5 al320 said:

Thanks guys! Im feeling better today. The fast people promised they wouldnt forget about me, and im just going to ignore the assholr tri people (I suggested they take one lane insteas of half the pool, but was told thats ridiculous).

I need to calm down. Grr

There are days that we circle 4 per lane. 3/4 is not unreasonable.

[joy2611]

May 18, 2014 10:35:14 GMT -5 kams said:

May 18, 2014 9:31:49 GMT -5 al320 said:

Thanks guys! Im feeling better today. The fast people promised they wouldnt forget about me, and im just going to ignore the assholr tri people (I suggested they take one lane insteas of half the pool, but was told thats ridiculous).

I need to calm down. Grr

There are days that we circle 4 per lane. 3/4 is not unreasonable.

During our heaviest days, we'd have six, seven or eight in a lane.  You do what you gotta do.

[al320]

I really love that you guys agree with me about how ridiculous this is. I appreciate it so much. I was feeling so stupid about getting so upset about it.

H&F hugs

[gumi]

No, you should still join a masters group! The OP's situation is unique. Ive swam with many groups and it's usually inviting. And the triathletes don't do anything special, except for maybe replace stroke with free.

I would personally find another pool, but I live in an area where there are a ton of pools.

Eta quoting fail. That was for CallingAllAngels
sent on phone

[al320]

May 18, 2014 13:37:34 GMT -5 gumi said:

No, you should still join a masters group! The OP's situation is unique. Ive swam with many groups and it's usually inviting. And the triathletes don't do anything special, except for maybe replace stroke with free.

I would personally find another pool, but I live in an area where there are a ton of pools.

Eta quoting fail. That was for CallingAllAngels
sent on phone

I agree, this is unique to specific personalities I swim with.