Friday, February 29, 2008

Contemplating the UBO (Unidentified Brown Object)

I’m about 10 laps into my first 3000+ yard swim workout on Thursday night when I spot something that doesn’t look like it belongs on the bottom of the pool. I’m actually sharing a lane with another lady, though, and it’s on her side, so I don’t think a whole lot about it at first. I keep swimming…groovin’…feeling good about this workout. Each time I get 10 yds away from completing another lap, though, I notice it in the corner of my eye. It messes with my mind a bit, and I almost lose count of my laps for worrying about exactly what it is. I don’t like the looks of it. It really looks like the one thing you DON’T want to see on the bottom of the pool. You know…the thing that causes major panic and immediate evacuation of the pool. I know because it’s happened there before. Grrrrrrr.

Almost as if this UBO knows it’s got me worried, it floats over closer to my side of the lane. By this time, I am sure it’s an evil twin of Mr. Hankey, and I almost got sick to my stomach. So here’s the dilemma…I’ve swum 2000 yds now with this UBO, and I only have 1100 more to go. I’m having a great swim despite this distraction. Do I stop and ask the lifeguard to investigate, and therefore risk having to bail on my swim workout? Or do I just keep going, and block it out of my head…because after all I’m not really sure what it is?

Well, I’m almost ashamed to tell you this, but I chose the latter. ~ashamed~ I kept going. I really didn’t want to stop swimming. During my last 500 yards, though, the UBO got really brave and floated directly under me…at which time I correctly identified it…

It was a couple of big band aides rolled up and stuck together.

While normally the site of band aides floating in a pool would gross me out, I was very relieved to know that was all it was.

I think the Tomb of Shame is seriously desensitizing me...all the rats and stinky-ness...that combined with the awesome new cocktail bar I found thanks to Trimama.

23 comments:

J~Mom said...

That happened to me once and it was a ponytail holder thingy. LOL

Michele said...

I have been noticing a LOT of hair in the pool lately. Have you seen it??

Glad they didn't have to close down the pool again.

Taconite Boy said...

Your a brave woman. and how the hell did a cocktail bar get in there...what the Fruit

triguyjt said...

I would have blocked it out...I think....andkept on swimming.

lets face it...wwe swim in lakes and goodness knows all the stuff floating around..yikes....

kmholt7 said...

Sorry, but I started laughing (in a sympathizing way) when I was reading the pool story. May I share mine?

I swim at home during the warmer months. After a rain, there are always some frogs that make their way into the pool. I rescue them in the net and move them to a safer place and we're all happier. One particular morning last summer I had done just that. I also noticed there was a big leaf by the steps and decided just to leave it. As I was swimming my first couple of laps, I noticed that it was moving some too. It became apparent that it was going faster than any of the jets in the pool should have been moving it. After a closer look, I determine that it's a big rat. UGHHH! I jump out of the pool and grab the net, but can't make myself do it. My poor hubby was drug out of bed at 4 a.m. to remove the creature. Yeah, he was happy about that.

Holly Jane said...

A hanky? Ewww... I would puked I think. There is just no way I coulda continued. Glad you toughed it out though!!

greyhound said...

Hideeee hoooooooo!

Ewww. Just ewww. I'm way picky about my pool water since I left the Club That Shall Not Be Named and joined the WAC.

Lisa said...

Absolutely nothing stops a good swim, huh? :)

Tri-Dummy said...

The grossest thing about a deuce floating in the pool is the thought that it's slowly disintegrating in there...becoming the water...that's going in your mouth.

And it's somebody else's deuce.

A bandaid is a very close second.

Brooke said...

eh, that's what chlorine is for, right?

Lance Notstrong said...

I would have had to bail!!! Unless of course it was a Baby Ruth, then I would just pick it up and eat it :-)

Cliff said...

Argh...even band-aids are disgusting. I will always swim around them.

jahowie said...

Nice Caddy Shack reference there Lance. :-) If I ever have a good swim it would take more than that to make me stop too. People are gross aren't they?

Benson said...

Whew, that was nerve racking to read.
Thank goodness only a yucky band aid.
Good swim.

Rae said...

EWW, EWW, EWWW!!!! So glad it wasn't poopy!!!

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

I just like that TriDummy calls it "deuce". That is just so tridummy!
Great swim, Lana!

Darrell said...

Yuck, that's enough to keep me from becoming a triathlete, that and the fact that I really suck at swimming. I have not stroke/breath coordination.

Iron Girl Nyhus said...

I am with TriDummy... it's going in your mouth. Gross!

Marathoner in Training said...

I need to comment on your blog entries over the past couple of days. I need to catch up on it. You are an IRONWOMAN. Your mind and body might play tricks on you and sometimes tell you that you need more rest. As for chocolate, I know that you could give it up, but I also know that you are not a quiter:) You are a wonderful person and to share your altered ego, was nice to know that I am not the only one that has those thoughts still. Thank you for the encouragement to keep going. The pix of your cowboy, is so adorable. Teh bandaid is a relief rather than the other thing. I once found a large clump of long black hair that was pulled out from the roots. I have never seen the other thing yet. Keep up the great job swimming.

Bigun said...

don't 'cha just love a ocean or lake swim with all the animal "duece" in there...eons of it? Way to keep on with the swim, and glad to see the TOS has toughened you up. You were getting kinda "girly" there for a while....

E-Speed said...

Uggh I hate finding anything floating in the pool. Good on you for getting through the workout. Amazing what a few bandaids can do to us mentally!

Unknown said...

I have to admit, I laughed. I don't even want to think of the things I've rolled my tire through, and thus flung up into my face or over my back, while on the MTB. You're a brave girl!

TriShannon said...

That just cracked me up. I think mostly because I can totally relate. Great job getting through the workout even with the distraction!