Good Run in Heavy Rain

There was a light drizzle, and thunder way off in the distance as I walked out the door for a light run early this evening. I went back to put on a hooded windbreaker. As I descended the wooden steps I thought of a morning run last year in newfallen snow, and that what may seem like poor running weather actually can give positive experience.

This was a relaxation or maintenance run. I take those slow and steady, from start to finish. I started out 'listening' to my knee, to which I have paid close attention since a minor December injury. I am now in my 30's, and I've realized that recklessness in exercise or lifestyle is much more of a risk. I run on grass whenever I can and consider things I never did before, such as how my foot should hit the ground to minimize the impact.

I like the breathing and the smell of the air when it rains. The dust and dirt are taken to the ground and the exhaust of automobile traffic seems less. Sometimes I am impatient at the beginning of a run, but today I am relaxed and my mind wanders. Before I know it the rain has increased. It is steady now. A flash of lightning comes from the distant south and I wait for the thunder, which rolls by after a few seconds.

Motorists are gracious to me today in this small southern town, slowing and stopping at driveways and sideroads, acknowledging my right-of-way, when so often it is ignored. I wave over the shoulder at them. The rain gets around my hood, and runs down my face. I can taste the salt of dried sweat as it washes past my lips. The thunder is closer and dusk has advanced.

The rain becomes a downpour as I cross the railroad tracks, a half mile from the end of my circuit. Good-sized rivers of it flow downhill into rain grates and I must avoid them or soak my shoes, squishing all the way home. As I finish the run my sneakers are soaked anyway; I will have to dig out an old pair if I run tomorrow. Not just the shoes are wet, in fact I have become uniformly soaked to the skin.

After a quick shower and change to dry clothes I feel great. Non-runners might consider it a bit foolish to get caught in the rain, but for me it was another good experience. In fact as I always respond to friends who ask me 'did you have a good run?' the answer is 'I haven't had a bad one yet.'

Just thought I would share this with you all!

I've always wondered why rain is considered such a bad thing. As if we all need umbrellas because of some alleged harmful effects of rainwater on our skin. Some of my most memorable runs have been in the rain - it is such a rush as if no one in the world would be out here except me slogging through the rainfall. There are times where I've waited for the rain to start before I start my run - crazy as it sounds yet I've had some of my fastest times trying to outrun the rain or escape the worst part of a thunderstorm as it bears down on me. That is living for the moment.

Patrick

There are good reasons why people don't like rain.

First of all, you'll run the risk of undercooling. While for short runs this isn't much of a risk, for longer runs (2 hours and longer) this might but harmful indeed.

Second, heavy rain is often accompanied by thunder. And we all (should) know how dangerous thunder can be.

This means rain is not the same as e.g. taking a shower. You can turn off the shower, but you can't turn off the rain

Rene van Belzen hurray [at] xs4all [dot] nl My Running Log

Great story - I love running in pretty well ANY elemental situation except wind, which I despise. But if it's a heavy downpour in the summer without much wind, I will go out of my way to run in it, too. I enjoyed running in some serious snowstorms this winter. Oddly enough, when it's actually snowing hard, often the ambient air temp is quite reasonable. Usually the bitterest days are sans snow.

Hahaha.

I meant lightning of course.

Rene van Belzen hurray [at] xs4all [dot] nl My Running Log

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Great post, Daniel. It *almost* makes me want to try it!

John London, ON