8/24/10

What I learned from.....running in the rain

I found myself faced with a dilemma on Sunday morning; I knew I needed to get my long run in (my half marathon is 5 week away O.M.G!) but there was one problem and that problem was rain. The skies had opened up over Toronto Saturday night (when I was out walking the pooch thank you very much) and hadn't really let up since. And to make matters worse the forecast for the remainder of the day didn't look very promising. So what was a girl to do?

Well this girl threw on her gear, including a very under-utilized hat to keep those pesky rain drops off my face, and headed out for a 13 kilometre jaunt into the heart of the city.

I wish I could say it was a refreshing and rejuvenating run but I'd be lying to you. Instead I will tell you that I was cranky and annoyed for the first 8k. My running belt was twisting around my body, my earphone kept popping out, I had to go to the bathroom..it just wasn't good. So not good that I almost gave up and called it a day at about the 3k mark.

That's right, I said almost. Somehow through the power of sheer determination not to be sidetracked by a little lot of pesky rain I just kept on going. And when I was done and walking to Starbucks for my well-deserved orange mango protein smoothie (if you haven't tried one yet stop reading this and go get one right now...I'll be here when you get back and you'll thank me for it I promise) I felt great. And I realized that this was one of those runs that had more then a physical benefit for me. This run had actually taught me a few things:


  • Running in the rain make other people stare. And I love being the crazy running girl that other people look at in awe. I used to be the one doing the ogling and I am glad to be on the other side of the glass.
  • Running in the summer rain is better then running in the summer heat. If every run from here on out was on a cloudy day I don't think I would mind one little bit. (at least not until late fall/early winter when I will beg for sunlight and warmth again I'm sure)
  • Running in the rain when you are training for a long distance run is necessary. I can't guarantee the weather on race day so I better get used to all the possible conditions if I can.
  • Running in the rain makes you appreciate the accomplishments of others. Miranda (Miranda's Jeans) was completing a Try-a-Tri at the same time that I was running and I thought to myself "Girl, if she can do all that in this weather you can sure as hell run down Yonge St."
  • Running in the rain makes you appreciate your own accomplishments and dedication. A year ago I wouldn't run on the best day and now here I am running on the crappy ones. That's progress if I do say so myself.
Who woulda thought I would get so much done before noon on a Sunday huh?? I guess the moral of the story is that sometimes the things that can make us grumble and groan can teach us the most about ourselves. I am sure glad I didn't let a little water get in the way of all that!


So tell me, what have you learned about yourself lately?


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20 comments:

  1. good job on running in the rain!
    sometimes the rain feels so good.

    i am running the same half as you! i heard its a very flat race!
    5 week....OMG is right!!!

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  2. I'm crazy but I LOVE running in the rain! Of course not if it's a torrential downpour, but a light drizzle makes for nice running weather IMO!

    Good for you for sticking it out!!

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  3. I always stare at the people running in the rain! You just can't help but look at them in awe and think, "pure dedication".

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  4. Running in the rain makes your sweat invisible.

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  5. Running in the rain is hardcore...but I was the baby on the treadmill today. I've run in rain and snow and it always makes me a little faster. I love being the bada$$ out there on a crappy day. Nice job!

    Even though I stayed out of the rain, I put myself to the test on the treadmill with eight miles. I never thought I would last and it took lots of mental focus.

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  6. i love running in the rain because it clears up the sidewalks! (lol!) no people to run around. and how you feel about the "crazy girl running in the rain", i feel about running up hill! i love running up hill, feeling like a bad-ass as i pass people. (is that wrong?)

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  7. Awesome work! You did a great job by sticking with it and getting the job done. :)

    When I was training for the 39-mile Avon walk I had to train in the middle of winter. I would walk in snow, sleet, etc. It felt so good to know that I had done my job for training!

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  8. Hehe good post!! Loved the comment about running down Yonge Street. I've learned that the co-ed side of my gym has MUCH better scenery than the women's-only side so it is now my location of choice for cardio! :)

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  9. I usually like running in the rain, its one of the few times when runs feel peaceful to me. It's nice to be able to run and not have to share the sidewalk with a hundred other runners.

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  10. Congrats on making it through the run! Sometimes the mental toughness you get from surviving certain runs is even more valuable than the physical feat. I completely agree with everything you said!! And sometimes it's fun to be that person everyone stares at. ;) I do like running in summer rain, though -- as long as my run isn't too long. For my second marathon, I had to do 2 20-mile runs in the rain and that got to be pretty miserable. It did teach me a lot about myself and what I could accomplish, though.

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  11. WaHoo-Good for you!! I definitely agree that I'd rather run in the summer rain than the summer heat :)

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  12. Good for you!!

    And you will be PROUD to know, I started running this week! :) I am not very good but I love it!!

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  13. I think it would be so hard to run in the rain! But like you said...it had to get done. Great for going out there and just doing it. That's awesome.

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  14. Great job! I LOVE running in the rain! And you're right... I ran a half last October and it was sleeting during the race. A practice run in some "weather" would have been helpful!
    Recently, I've learned that if I train really hard and focus, I WILL get faster ;)

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  15. Good for you! I'm not great at running in the rain. If it happens while I'm out, so be it, but if it's raining when I'm heading out the door ugh. Very hard.

    The ones I think are crazy are the winter runners. I'm in Winnipeg and when it's -30 and people are out jogging I always wonder why, why would you do that to yourself when there's a fire, hot choc and slippers inside?

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  16. Great job tackling the rain! I definitely agree, the summer rain is better than the summer heat any day. Way to go!

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  17. That's amazing Samantha! Congrats to you :) I have learned how to hold myself on eating right. I had a party last weekend with my friends, and instead of over eating, I tasted a couple appetizers and felt great about myself. It does feel great to overcome struggles of the past. Thanks for sharing and motivating others!

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  18. A girl after my own heart...I'm so glad I am not the only crazy runner who continues with training through all sorts of weather, including the rains. Way to be strong!

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  19. Living in a SE Alaska,I do a lot of running in the rain. It's great here, because it rains SO much (100+ inches a year) nobody gives you a second look. If you don't run in the rain here, you don't run :)

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  20. What a great list!!! i adore running in the rain-i find it so refreshing!

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