I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. I’ve always loved the sound of rain, especially if it means I’m tucked into my warm bed, so this was a special treat. I knew that sound meant that my long run would be delayed but I relished in it and laid cozily in bed for another hour, drifting in and out of sleep.
By the time I felt it was safe to start my run, it was nearly 11 a.m. Thankfully it was a cold rain (well, ahem, in the 50s…) so unlike most days, running at high noon wouldn’t mean extra dehydration and piling on the sunscreen. We’ve had a warm winter in San Diego – come to think of it, we haven’t had a cold winter in years, and we’re experiencing serious drought in Southern California so the rain is a welcome inconvenience.
When I left the house I actually wasn’t convinced I was going to run 10 miles. I am running the Zion Half Marathon in 2 weeks so this was my self-prescribed longest run (the last two weekends I’ve run 8.5) before the race, but even knowing that missing todays run meant missing my only key workout for this race didn’t really convince me I had to do it. Even after two miles I wasn’t sure how far I’d go.
It’s safe to say that lately I haven’t been feeling the running magic. Not to say I’m in a slump…but more of a break. I haven’t felt runner’s high since CIM training. My focus has been on strength and elsewhere, not on running fast or pushing my body to new extremes. Usually, that’s how I find runner’s high, through some awesome effort that boosts my confidence.
But today, despite a nasty headwind and steady rain starting around mile 3, I felt happier than I have during a run in a a long time. I wasn’t running my fastest – not even close – but I was running happy. Thankful to be outside breathing in the air, soaking in the rain on my skin, happy to be healthy and simply enjoying running. Runner’s high.
I also enjoyed the solitude. The normally jam-packed sidewalk lining the 101 in Encinitas was completely empty. Just a few fellow determined runners, a couple soggy looking dog walkers and a handful of ambitious surfers were my passing companions on my journey.
I’ve been consistently running for about 5 years now and my motivation and goals for running have shifted over the years, moving a bit one way, rotating 180 degrees and then heading backward. As I move away from time-related goals and the pressure of XYZ finish time, I’m learning to run more for the joy of the miles. Not every run can be like today’s, but I hope to find happiness in each and every one.
Do you run in the rain?
Glad to see you are running. I know that fall at the end of the marathon had to be heartbreaking. Did you learn why you ran out of gas that close. Was it electrolytes low, water consumption or was it an injury? I’ll do my second Marathon in Albany Ga. on 3/7 hoping to take off a hour 2 minutes from my 1/13 first marathon in Warner Robbins. I’ve been training for 4+ months. Now it looks like rain! Yuck. Will be in the 3:55 group to BQ. Going for it and if I miss it I should PR for sure unless something bad happens. They have a pace group so that should help. I ran 22.22 in practice at a 9.27 pace so I’m not far off. Hope that we both make Boston if not this time next.
I’m not sure – honestly I think I just literally pushed myself to my body’s limit and it gave out. I don’t think it was electrolytes or dehydration. Possibly one more Gu could have helped but who knows. I also think the hills were a lot on my legs which weren’t quite strong enough. We’ll never know!
Good luck at your marathon this weekend! Any finish is a reason to celebrate!
I’m been using U- Cann and will take gels I think starting mile 8 and every 3 miles. We will see if that works.
I think more of these runs is just what the doctor ordered. After a long time of being so focused it’s nice to find the joy in running again. It’s hard for me to start a run while it’s raining but if it starts raining while I’m running, I love it.
Exactly – starting in the rain = bad. Raining after already warm and running = amazing
Love running in the rain, especially when I take my pup, who is a little unsure of the rain and ends up switching between sprinting & running at a slow trot. I’m running Zion in a couple of weeks too! It’s going to be a gorgeous run… and a wicked cold morning!
Aww that sounds so cute! Say hi if you see me at zion! I hope we survive the cold!!!
I am glad you got out there an had a happy run!! It is really nice to just run for fun which I don’t do very often and maybe that is because I don’t run that fast anyway!! 🙂
I love running in the rain! Or I should say sprinkling to light rain. I don’t want to go out there in a torrential downpour but I don’t think it is bad. I know a lot of people who would rather run on the death mill but I would rather run in the rain!! We have been super lucky this year cause it hasn’t rained much!!
Yeah too heavy of rain isn’t fun but a sprinkle is nice!!!
I love running in the rain! It’s perfect when it’s in the 50’s-60’s and raining, feels so refreshing. I also like how it keeps other people away and the sidewalks aren’t crowded! Jealous you are running the Zion half. I visited there in September and was blown away by how beautiful it was:)