S. O. M.

As usual I went to the gym after work today. There was just one spot open for elliptical machines and I went for it. Soon there were a few more became open then filled by others. 3 minutes into the run all of sudden I smelled something vaguely familiar. I turned to my right and screamed "Oh NO!" in my head. There he stood, the one with the unique aura, I wish I came in late and had picked one of the machines towards the back.

Yes, Stinky Old Man, S.O.M. as I refer him, was standing proud behind me and the guy to my right. I have encountered this particular S.O.M. many times since I joined this gym. Although he possesses a very fit body for his 50+ age, his sweaty musk combined with a strangely sour skunk-like odor makes exercising next to him a truly miserable and terrifying experience. Once I gave up the machine I waited for because he was sweating and sharing his scent all over his area, even 3-4 machines away! Thick, sour, sweaty funk. Yuck!

Today the gym was busy and many machines were out of order. He stood there and waited while I tried hard to breath and kept going. I wished someone else left and he went towards the back. No, S.O.M. stayed on until I was done. How could he not use some type of deodorant? Was I the only one with a nose? I just don't get it.