Dude, you stink.

As I have mentioned before, the track at the Y is elevated and looks down on a large gymnasium and an activity room. I run during lunch and there are always a couple of basketball games happening in the gym. The games are loud and competitive. I would estimate the player's ages range from late teens to early eighties. While I occasionally see a new face, mostly it's the same crowd. It's popular enough that they can run two games of five-on-five and still have six to ten people waiting for a chance to take over when someone needs a rest.

There's one fellow in particular who sometimes comes up to the track when he's between games. He doesn't come up to exercise, I've never seen him complete a lap. Instead, he comes for the improved vantage point and stands along the track and watches the games. I know now, when I see him, to be ready to run around him. I also know to hold my breath.

I remember the first time I saw him on the track. Balding, with a bit of gray hair neatly trimmed around the ears. With his barrel chest and ample midsection I could imagine him in a three piece suit leading a small company. He had an executive air about him. Then I ran past him and found the air almost unbreathable.

Yes he had been playing basketball and yes he was sweaty. But there are sweaty people on the track all the time and they don't smell this strong. It took me a couple of laps to confirm that he was the source. (And, yes, I did do a quick self-sniff along the far side of the track.) After that, I began taking a deep breath upon approach, holding it and then slowly exhaling once past him. I don't know if this technique is beneficial to a workout or not but it was better than the alternative.

I'd like to say that this was a one time experience but that would be lying. I gave him the benefit of the doubt the second time he appeared and was once again treated to his malodorous stench. Now, when I see him, I automatically hold my breath.

I was in the locker room dressing one day and I overheard some of the basketball guys chatting about washing their gym clothes. Apparently, a number of them keep everything in a gym bag in their car and seldom launder them. I find this pretty gross. Once I take off my gym clothes, I can barely stand to touch them again, let alone wear them.

I don't know if my smelly friend was part of the conversation. I couldn't see the guys that were talking - that would have required peering around the lockers and I'm not a fan of peering in locker rooms.