The top 5 swimming pet peeves

I was visiting a friend's blog earlier today, and she mentioned how annoyed she gets at women who are afraid to get their hair wet in the pool. It served as a source of pet peeve inspiration for me, and I thought I'd share a few of mine when it comes to swimming in the pool.

Please, stop trying to smell good
I'm referring to the men and women who wear cologne or perfume to the pool. When I'm swimming, I get the pleasure of swallowing their Old Spice or Halston when I come up for air. I'd just rather smell any BO they're trying to cover with it. Really.

The splashy flip turn
I've been in lanes next to people who barely move the water when they flip, and then I've been next to others whose splashes are so huge, I wonder if they aren't making some kind of political statement. It doesn't bother me when I'm swimming, but when I'm taking a break at the end of the lane and have to take cover as they approach, that's when it gets annoying.

I haven't mastered the art of a flip turn. Perhaps I don't fully comprehend how difficult barely splashing is to master, and maybe I'm being too judgmental. If that's the case, I'm sure someone will let me know.

Forgetting a key piece of equipment
You gather all of your belongings and gadgets and double-check your bag. You get in your truck. You drive across town to the Y. You trek across the long parking lot - more often than not in extreme cold or extreme heat. You swipe your card and sign in. You walk to the locker room. You find an empty locker. You open your bag only to discover that you should have triple-checked what you brought because you forgot either your goggles or your swim suit.

No problem. You can go for a run on the -- oh, wait. You were wearing high heels and didn't bring your running shoes. Because of time lost, you now no longer have the time to train.

Kids hanging out in the lap lane
If no one is swimming, I don't mind kids doing handstands or chatting about their boyfriends. If they're using the only other empty lane, I'll kindly ask them or their parents if they would mind moving. They move, but not without getting huffy with me like I've done something wrong.

The goggle marks
No matter the type of goggles or how loose I can make them and still seal out the water, I look like a freak for the half hour following my swim. Luckily, I can toss on a pair of shades and usually go straight home after I train.

I'm very fortunate in that I've only had to share a lane a handful of times during the two years I've been going to the Y. I'll take one side and the other individual takes the other. I haven't had any problems with this like I know a lot of other folks do.

Out of all of these pet peeves, though, that first one is easily the one that gets me choked up the most.