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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to tell all these people to bugger off and leave me alone?

28 replies

CupOfTeaAndABourbon · 21/08/2017 10:01

I swim every morning before work.

I wear a cap and goggles and I use wrist and ankle weights to give me more resistance. I try and do 100 laps in half an hour which means I go fast and don't stop. What I'm trying to say is I'm a strong swimmer, I look "serious" and it's clear I'm there for exercise not to have a gentle saunter up and down.

Yet, nearly every single morning someone will interrupt me to comment on my speed or ask about my weights. Now, it's very nice that people take an interest and are often complimentary but it does my bloody head in. Most people strike up a conversation when I'm having a brief rest at one end of the pool but even though I'm technically stopped swimming, I'm still in the "zone" and carefully time my rests so.

This morning, a woman who was swimming with her daughter asked me how her daughter could improve her technique. I briefly told her then made it clear I was setting back off. Then the cheeky bugger asked me to show her daughter how to do it and told me I wasn't very kind when I said "no".

"Leave me the fuck alone" might be the route I go down next time this happens but I'd welcome other "fuck off" synonyms.

OP posts:
skyzumarubble · 21/08/2017 10:02

I wear ear phones. Job done.

CupOfTeaAndABourbon · 21/08/2017 10:06

sky Sorry to be thick but what are your earphones plugged into? Blush

OP posts:
Needcoffee2244 · 21/08/2017 10:18

YANBU! I'd never strike up conversation with someone who's swimming seriously, it just seems obvious they're just at the pool to swim and get out.
I think you can get waterproof MP3 players? Everytime someone tries to make conversation just point to your earphones and smileGrin

hugomcwooferton · 21/08/2017 10:27

@CupOfTeaAndABourbon you can get a really cheap underwater mo3 player from amazon. Keeps the talkers away

CupOfTeaAndABourbon · 21/08/2017 10:33

Shock I didn't even know underwater MP3 players were a thing. Why did I not know this?!

Right, off to Google

OP posts:
CupOfTeaAndABourbon · 21/08/2017 10:45

Any recommendations also gratefully received Grin

OP posts:
AlternativeTentacle · 21/08/2017 10:46

I'd buy some cheap headphones, or use an old pair, and not plug them into anything, just tuck them into your costume...nobody will know.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 21/08/2017 11:20

I'm very like you OP - however I am aware that I am a little bit unreasonable and that a few seconds or minutes of kindness will not really affect my workout by much.

InfiniteSheldon · 21/08/2017 11:23

No hablo anglais is my stock response

PetraDelphiki · 21/08/2017 11:26

How long is your pool? 100 laps of a 25m pool in half an hour is terrifyingly fast!!! Very impressed!

CupOfTeaAndABourbon · 21/08/2017 11:31

NK But it's not seconds though, people usually want a couple of minutes. And even if I do manage to shake them off after just a couple of seconds, any interruption I find really disruptive. I can't explain it, it's like I'm in a bubble and interruptions kind of pop my bubble.

Petra It's a small pool in a hotel gym. I don't actually know how long it is but it's not "normal" sized so not that impressive Grin

OP posts:
CupOfTeaAndABourbon · 21/08/2017 11:31

Infinite I love that!

OP posts:
scaryclown · 21/08/2017 11:36

I only get nine breast strokes in 25m your turning must be amazing!

You could say' I'm training, leave your name at reception' then swim off.
I get what you mean, I can feel like that too.

scaryclown · 21/08/2017 11:37

There's also a swim timer which will beep t your training ambition time, and sense when you've turned... That needs headphones too!

Tiptoethr0ughthetulips · 21/08/2017 11:39

Just plug your ears, do the eh face when they speak to you. Mutter something about ear infection and can't take these out then head down and back to it. If you go to a lane session presumably you're in the fast lane and need to keep speed anyway.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 21/08/2017 11:41

No words of advice at all, but had to post and say, bloody hell, that's impressive - I'm in awe

dinosaursandtea · 21/08/2017 11:41

That's so horribly rude of them! YADNBU.

gandalf456 · 21/08/2017 11:43

Much as I hate people talking to me when i don't feel like it, I think yabu.

It is the school holidays so there are going to be people around. Swim earlier or later if you don't want to be disturbed

Branleuse · 21/08/2017 11:44

Just completely ignore them, like they dont exist

CupOfTeaAndABourbon · 21/08/2017 11:47

gandalf It was 7am- I can't get there any earlier Grin

Ah, no it's really not that impressive. It's only a small pool as it's in a hotel leisure club. It's not a 25m pool at all. I'll ask tomorrow how long it is actually.

OP posts:
OldBooks · 21/08/2017 11:57

I totally understand what you mean about being in a bubble OP, that's the best part of swimming for me - it's meditative and you zone out.

CupOfTeaAndABourbon · 21/08/2017 12:09

OldBooks Grin Yep and I start to think about things really deeply and end up completely losing myself in my thoughts. Someone popping up next to me asking "Ooh, are you training for something?" brings me crashing out of my deep thoughts and I can't get back to that zone. It's like being in a dream and then having someone wake you up. Bastards

OP posts:
Justgivemesomepeace · 21/08/2017 12:23

www.bragi.com/thedashpro
These are wireless ear buds that are waterproof for swimming and have 4gb of storage for your music so you don't need your phone nearby. Not cheap but if you would use them everyday they might be a nice treat for yourself.

skyzumarubble · 21/08/2017 21:16

I have a speedo MP3 player - it clips onto your goggle band. It is awesome.

I see people with iPhones in waterproof cases but I don't think I could trust that plus it's a bit bulky to have on your arm!

WineGummyBear · 21/08/2017 21:20

Waterproof MP3 player!?! That's so cool!

Your technique must be tremendous OP. I'd definitely want to ask you about it but I would no way interrupt your season. Promise.