Negative Splitting my 1001 Pools "Race" (#751)

27 August 2025

Technically (unless I do some rounding), I didn't cross the 75% achievement hurdle on my #1001Pools goal until I swam in pool #751, which I did on Wednesday when I finally swam at the 20-meter long Golden Lane Sport & Fitness Centre:

This glass-housed small pool is now part of a privately run (though not well-run**) fitness facility. Originally, it was built in the 1950s as part of the then-innovative (if brutalistically ugly) council estates of the same name in the Barbican area of the City of London. Unsightly architecture aside, this estate was ahead of its times as it integrated this fitness facility, open space, a pub and some other features to support the community's fitness, health and socialization. It was also unique in its mix of styles of housing offered (beyond just blocks of flats) and catered primarily (though not exclusively) to singles and couples. which was also a different focus for public housing.

I don't think I'll ever become a fan of brutalist buildings, even if they do have a good "social" backstory, but I'm glad I finally got in a swim here (1,800 meters). I had tried on two prior occasions, one of which I missed because my work didn't permit me getting there, and the second when I showed up, but the lifeguard didn't!

1,001 Pools Race Analysis

While this is technically a quest and not a race ... I have a hard time not turning things into a competition, even if only with myself. So I decided to chart out my "250 paces" - how many days has it taken me to rack up each set of 250 pools:

This translates to 9.3, 5.3 and 3.7 years respectively ... so I am definitely getting faster. My increasing speed makes sense for a few key reasons:

• For most of the years covering my first 250 pools, I still had all three daughters at home. Life was great, but life was busy. I had less personal free time.

• Speaking of daughters, my oldest, Maia, was the one who suggested I start this blog around my birthday in 2016. Once I started more formally documenting this quest (beyond just an Excel spreadsheet), I got more motivated by the quest. Thanks, Maia!

• We moved to Canada at the end of 2018, which opened the whole massive Toronto metro area to me, as well as other parts of the province and country.

• We moved again, to London, in the fall of 2023 ... opening up not only London, but as much of England and Europe as I can squeeze in!

I'm not fatiguing at all. If anything, I'm feeling stronger than ever ... well ... about counting pools ... feeling less strong with my wonky arm when it comes to the actual swimming part ;)

So, when will I complete this quest?

My best estimate right now is between:

• May 16th, 2029 - assuming I can hold my 1,355 pace for the next 250

• and October 6, 2031 -assuming my average pace from the first 750 for the last 250

... with a most likely estimate of February 25, 2020.

Looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.

** In general, my swimming recommendation is to avoid pools operated by Fusion Lifestyle. While both the Better and Everyone Active organizations have some sub-par facilities, almost without exception, Fusion pools tend towards filth and lack of upkeep. The Golden Lane facility was no exception.