Rainstorm Running

Maybe you think running during a torrential rain/thunderstorm is a bad idea.

But you'd be wrong.

Amie and I had planned yesterday to meet at the Riverwalk at 5:45 tonight to run.  We've never run together, but it was Amie's idea, and I'm always up for another way to squeeze in an extra calorie burn. Plus, I've really got to stop avoiding my running sessions if I'm going to make it through this triathlon in May. 

At 4:45, when the sky was looking ominously cloudy and forecasters were saying the words "tornado warning," she called to see if we should reschedule.  I said that another night this week probably wouldn't work, and besides at worst we'd have an adventure.  Then I walked outside where the wind was whipping.

The whole drive over to the Riverwalk, DJs were blaming the horrible storm for the bad traffic.  The rain hadn't started yet where I was, but I realize now the calm before the storm had set in. 

The Riverwalk starts at a parking lot, continues for 2.25 miles and then you have to turn around and come 2.25 miles back to return to civilization. Starting down that trail is a commitment.  

We started running and talking, and it was great.  The air was pleasantly cool.  At about .75 miles we decided we would turn around at the 1.5 mile marker so that we'd get in a solid 5k and still be back before it was too dark.  It was about that time that Amie said, "I bet as soon as we turn around, that's when it starts raining." 

Then we made it to the 1.5 mile marker, turned around and, as predicted, the rain started.  It wasn't bad at first.  In fact, we remarked several times that we could "barely feel it" and that "running in the rain is more fun."  When we had about 3/4 of a mile still to go, that's when the sky let loose and the lightning started flashing.  We slowed to a walk when we got to a big hill and our shoes had filled with water. My clothes were soaked through and must've weighed an extra 10 pounds. I wasn't sure we'd be able to run again after that, but we did.  It was even easier to keep going. I don't think it was just the motivation of returning to the car, but the glorious feeling of being in the moment.  

The most fun workouts are always when you're doing something out of the ordinary. Running during a rain storm. Biking to the downtown library. Playing intramural softball with college students.  Climbing a mountain.  Trampolining with an 8-year-old.  While it's good to have a practical workout plan (like my daily gym workouts at lunch), it's better to have fun and burn calories at the same time.  So be on the lookout for your next workout adventure. When you find it, be sure to tell me about it.