Last night was memorable. I ran in the rain- a very strong rain I should add.
Minutes before I went to my car to change dress it wasn’t raining that hard so I said I’m gonna push through and if it rains like hell, I’m sure gonna quit and go straight to Carbo bonding instead with other runners at Market Market.
Just when I was done changing my clothes, boom it rained hard with some lightning flashing in the background. I remember then my friend’s advice - the most important time to run is the time you want to skip it (and this is also the time it feels awesome good you’ve done it). So I ran, I noticed there were only three of us running in the rain, and then there was two of us a kilometer later and 2 kilometers past, I was alone running. It brings back the memory when I was kid, playing in the rain was so much fun. Now I’m grown up and running is now my passion, it becomes a heavenly experience running under the rain. For some reason, I didn’t get tired. I ran all 8 loops around BHS area (that would be more than 8km) only stopping whenever I would hear lightning. On my 5th loop, an army guy ran with me, his name was Allan. We exchange a couple of ideas and I was told the reason he was running was to build stamina. He also mentioned that he love running best when raining because he doesn’t get tired easily plus it helps him focus. After the 8km, I said my goodbye as I need to visit takbo.ph guys for the Carbo Loading activity. It was good meeting people with the same passion as yours, you get encouragement and motivation to continue the sports.
Now here are some of my reminders when running under the rain:
* Be careful if there is lightning, and be especially careful about slippery ground, puddles, and mud which could lead to an injury. Take it easy.
* Run easy, don’t do speed run under the rain.
* Your shoes should be able to pump-out water getting inside your shoes, you don’t want to suffer from blisters
* If you’re like most people, find a running buddy. The army guy who went with me helped me push through until 8th kim when I was only planning to do a 5km run.
Now if your determination is strong, try running in the rain once, it will make you feel hardcore! Hahahaha!
Do you have any experience running in the rain? What about running during the race itself?
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Wayne
on May 8th, 2009
@ 4:58 am:
Sam, San Francisco gets rain about four to five months out of the year (December - April). I don’t mind it unless it’s a type of rain that angles into your face. Definitely, running with a group helps.
Usually, I’ve raced two to three times a year when it rains. The toughest part is warming up in the conditions.
Rod
on May 9th, 2009
@ 5:21 am:
yo sam! i wish it rains tomorrow @ botak’s race.
ReVO
on May 10th, 2009
@ 1:59 am:
Hi Sam! ReVO here from Running Bananas.
I’m glad that you experienced it. High five!
I ran in UP for 10 laps without experiencing any exhaustion nor fatigue. Just some chills and wetness after the run. It’s like a never ending water station right in front of your face. Just like Haile, it was stated that one of his reasons for success is his skill to maintain his body temperature during the run.
Running in the rain was like no burning at all. Legs were like always fresh and HR was just about in 50 to 60%. An easy run but doing a tempo run.
I hope it’ll not rain hard in TNF race. Hmmm but its fun!
No guts, no glory!