Buzz·Posted on Mar 20, 201426 Unforgettable Struggles Of Being A SwimmerIt's not a sport, it's a lifestyle.by Sam StrykerBuzzFeed StaffLinkFacebookPinterestTwitterMail 1. Getting into the pool for the first time and feeling the frigid water put you into shock. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 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. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 4. And for the dude swimmers, having to shave EVERYWHERE for a big meet. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 5. Looking to the other lanes when you're swimming breaststroke, even though you know you shouldn't. View this photo on Instagram 6. Swimming butterfly... ... because it feels like this. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 7. With your huge swimming shoulders, it's nearly impossible to find clothing that fits. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 8. Deck changing, aka exposing yourself to the world. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 9. Dryland workouts, because your poor body is not capable of physical exertion on land. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 10. Knowing you are not the only one peeing in the pool. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 11. Two words: chlorine hair. 12. Going for a big start and bellyflopping. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 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. View this photo on Instagram 15. Nearly as distressing is when your goggles come completely off. 16. Raccoon eyes, because your goggles can NEVER be too tight. View this photo on Instagram 17. You also will permanently reek of chlorine. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 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. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 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. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF 26. Test sets, or as swimmers know them, the deepest, darkest circle of hell. View this photo on Instagram But despite the early mornings, gross hair, and insane workouts, you still keep coming back for more. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF