How do long distance (pool) swimmers keep track of their laps?

A lap in a pool is there and back and is usually 50 yards or 50 meters. A length is the distance from one end of the pool to the other, and will be half of a lap. Here are a few simple (and a few not so simple) methods for counting laps or estimating your swimming distance in the pool. read more

For example, if you swim in a short-course pool, think of the distance in terms of money: one length (25 yards/meters) is a quarter, 4 laps (100 yards/meters) is a dollar. As you go through your workout, track how much money you have “collected” (swum) and how much more you can “make” if you finish the swim. read more