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26 Unforgettable Struggles Of Being A Swimmer

It's not a sport, it's a lifestyle.

1. Getting into the pool for the first time and feeling the frigid water put you into shock.

2. Waking up for morning practice at an ungodly hour.

3. If you're a female swimmer, not being able to shave for months on end.

4. And for the dude swimmers, having to shave EVERYWHERE for a big meet.

5. Looking to the other lanes when you're swimming breaststroke, even though you know you shouldn't.

6. Swimming butterfly...

... because it feels like this.

7. With your huge swimming shoulders, it's nearly impossible to find clothing that fits.

8. Deck changing, aka exposing yourself to the world.

9. Dryland workouts, because your poor body is not capable of physical exertion on land.

10. Knowing you are not the only one peeing in the pool.

11. Two words: chlorine hair.

12. Going for a big start and bellyflopping.

13. You know you'll make a bizarre face when you put on your goggles.

14. Pray that you do not have leaky goggles, which are the GODDAMN WORST.

15. Nearly as distressing is when your goggles come completely off.

16. Raccoon eyes, because your goggles can NEVER be too tight.

17. You also will permanently reek of chlorine.

18. Is being too ripped a thing? Because if anyone suffers from this problem, it's swimmers.

19. No amount of food can satiate you after a long practice.

20. Crowded lanes, which make you want to scream at the top of your lungs.

21. Putting on your cap, when done incorrectly, can be excruciating.

22. Getting water in your eyes. And your ears. And your nose. And your mouth. Basically, getting water in every orifice of your body.

23. Swimcest.

24. False starts.

25. Swim coaches, because their favorite thing in the world is to give you a grueling set. Screaming at you is a close second.

26. Test sets, or as swimmers know them, the deepest, darkest circle of hell.

But despite the early mornings, gross hair, and insane workouts, you still keep coming back for more.