This Runner's Pet Peeves

I must admit, my mind wanders when I'm on the treadmill.  Sometimes it is good and sometimes I am not so nice.  One of my biggest pet peeves occurred on Monday at the gym and got me thinking about my biggest pet peeves at the gym in general.

Taking up a treadmill for more than 30 minutes when people are waiting...  Here is the story of why my run on Monday was only 3 miles.  The small apartment gym where I run is usually pretty empty, but on Monday evening at 5:30 it was packed!!  Like January 2nd packed (why the 2nd and not the first?  People are hungover on the 1st and wait to start New Year's resolutions until the 2nd....anyway...)  My ***Warning: NOT SO NICE*** thoughts: Why is the guy next to me walking while reading his iPad when the gym is full.  Clearly people are waiting...seriously, why is this guy WALKING at 3.0 miles per hour?  OMG...he has been on there for almost 45 minutes.  These poor people are waiting.  I better only run 3 miles today.  And so, I only ran 3 miles and walked a little cool down.  All of which took less than 30 minutes on the only other treadmill in the gym.  I am probably going to take some heat for this one.  I understand that your training schedule called for a longer run, or that you never run for that short of time, BUT we must share or workout at a time when the gym is not so busy!  When mother nature decides that everyone must stay inside, support your comrades in fitness and SHARE!

Source

Not wiping down equipment when you finish... I don't know about you guys, but when I go to the gym I sweat.  There is nothing worse than getting to a machine covered in someone else's sweat.  It only takes a few seconds to wipe something down for the next person to use.

Exhibit A-sweaty mess!

Talking on the phone while working out... This one doesn't really bother me, but it does confuse me.  How are you able to have a phone conversation while you are either A-doing cardio or B-lifting weights.  Cardio-I'm too sweaty (see above) or too out of breath to manage talking on the phone.  Lifting weights-how do you have a free hand to work your phone??  Note: I'm talking about chatting on the phone about nothing...not taking a work or emergency call.

People who do not acknowledge you on the running/biking trail... I think that I am a pretty friendly person.  I say hello to people on the running trails and smile at them.  When I can't talk anymore, I nod or do a small wave.  Everyone is entitled to a bad day, but there are some people who never smile back or return a friendly gesture.  On these lines, bikers or runners who do not announce themselves when they pass you.  A gentle "on your left" lets everyone know that you are coming and protects the passer and the person being passed!  Don't worry if I jump every time and almost run off of the trail to get out of the way...at least I won't get run over and you won't crash trying to avoid me! :)

What are you biggest gym/fitness pet peeves?

Linking up with runningwithspoons.com for some thinking out loud!