Sweaty Betty

Some gifts come wrapped up in beautiful packages. Other presents come enveloped in the tiny hands of giggling boys. Still other so called "gifts" that you receive for a birthday catch you unaware and make you wonder how you're ever going to find the receipt and unload that gift. I believe I unknowingly acquired a doozy of a surprise when I turned 36 - an increased ability to perspire.

As a kid I knew people with chronic B.O. I have at times gaped in horror at those with tremendous pit circles or oceans of back sweat. I feel bad for singers on American Idol or dancers on So You Think You Can Dance that sweat profusely and nobody will hand them a towel. But I think I may have become a Sweaty Betty myself. I used to say, "I don't really sweat that much." Now I pack an extra shirt just in case. I used to perspire a few droplets I could gently wipe away from my forehead. Now my friend Mary has a blackmail photo from our blueberry picking adventure with the kids where I have sweated through two cotton tank tops and am sporting a wet circle the size of my entire torso. Oh yes! I used to work out and my hair might be a touch damp. Now I get off the treadmill after running a few miles to find my clothing and hair soaked. No really, I have to bag the clothes separately so they don't drip on the whole backpack. I might as well have showered in them. And to add insult to injury I keep sweating for at least 30 minutes. And sometimes I even start sweating again as soon as I get out of the shower.

Is it my age? Is it over-hydration? Is it living in Texas in the inescapable heat and humidity? Is it the sprint triathlon training? Have my sweat glands sprung a leak? Or am I now and forevermore going to be Sweaty Betty?