Runnin’ in the rain!

I’m runnin’ in the rain,
Just runnin’ in the rain!
What a glorious feeling, and I’m happy again!
I don’t know what it is about running in the rain.

From a young age, we’re somehow conditioned not to be out in the rain.  I mean, to a degree, I get it – when a teacher has 25 soaking wet 8 year-olds in a classroom with no dry clothes to change into, that’s a quick argument for indoor recess.  When I would stomp in the puddles then track into the house, I am sure I made a heck of a mess, but I really don’t remember because I wasn’t the one who had to clean it up!

But you can tell the conditioning is deep when you come in from running in the sprinkler because it is starting to rain.  Do you remember those occasions where you were encouraged to go out and play in the rain?  I do – first I wouldn’t quite believe it, but then I’d be giddy and want it to rain harder because I wasn’t getting soaked fast enough.

So maybe that’s why it is so liberating to run in the rain now.  When people drive by and look out their windows at me like I’ve lost my mind, I feel ever-so-slightly like I am doing something naughty, but also maybe just a little self-righteous.

“That’s right!  Serious athlete coming through!”

Of course, there are limits.  About an hour and a half into my long run in the rain a couple of weeks ago, I was starting to feel a little tired of being wet.  But we stuck it out – after all, it “builds character,” or so I’m told.

Here’s the thing:  coming home from a run soaking wet, where you can’t even step off the mat without dripping everywhere makes you appreciate the simple things.  When else are you so grateful for a dry towel, and a fresh, steaming cup coffee?

Having said that, I still love running in the rain – at least at this time of year.  It is invigorating, refreshing, and yes, liberating.

Quick tip:  if you take the insoles out of your wet shoes, and pack balled-up newspaper inside, they dry out pretty quick!