Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Running in the rain

For those of you who haven’t spent much time in Ireland, I’ll fill you in on a little secret: it rains… a lot. There weren’t many days when it didn’t rain at all, so we had to be vigilant with our umbrellas and raincoats.

That said, I don’t deal with raincoats and umbrellas when I go running. I love running in the rain. While I’d admit that it’s slightly tougher to leave your dry house (or hotel room), I’ve grown to love running in the rain. Here’s why:

1) If it’s at all hot or humid outside, it tends to cool things down.
2) People walking and driving look at you like you’re crazy for voluntarily running during the torrential downpour. The looks aren’t quite as crazy as the looks I got running in sub-zero temperatures, but they’re amusing nonetheless.
3) I’ve found a certain solidarity with other runners in the rain. We see each other and may nod in approval or just quickly glance at each other as the rain hits us.

I feel this same level of solidarity when I see runners running in the rain as I’m in the car. I’ve fought the urge to roll down my window and high-five them, but it’s been quite the strong urge. If nothing else, seeing other runners, so dedicated to their sport, makes me smile every time.

4 comments:

Joe said...

So I can see how you tolerate being wet, but what about your shoes? My biggest problem is water logged feet, especially "trainers." (In keeping with your UK-ish English.)

ShirleyPerly said...

Well, there's a reason it's so green there! And similarly in FL and parts of Hawaii.

I enjoy running in the rain too as long as it's not pouring too hard and there's no lightening. But I've never run in really cold rain. Rain and 80 degrees is fine!

Susan said...

I am praying for rain!!!

CewTwo said...

Rain here in Denver tends to be cold. Unpleasant at best.

Regardless of the weather, I always get the urge to roll down the window ansk the runner, "What mile you at? How far you goin'? Keep it up! You're doing good!"

But I haven't yet!

I always give the "Jeep" wave to a fellow runner on the street or path, though! (Of course, now, I also say, "Chicago Marathon on October 12th!")