Running in the rain

It's been 5 months since I have started running for real. My training for the annual Devon Coast to Coast challenge was flat- to say the least- so I knew that I had to try something different to get into shape.

I'd always known that I will run a marathon. It was one of those dormant goals, sitting there, waiting for it's time. It seemed to me- this could be the time.

So, 5 months later, I still run. It is all fresh and new enough to me to enable me to be excited and enthusiastic about pounding out the miles- something which cycling had lost a long time ago. And, despite the current rough summer we are having, I had yet to train in the real proper rain. The only race I had run- a 5km- had seen it bucket down, but that was different; it was new and part of the day.

Now I had  choice- I could stay home, and justify it away. But with the Bristol half marathon 16 days away, and a training half marathon 2 days away, I knew that I should go out. And should became did.

It's all a learning experience at this stage of the game. Getting water lines around the top of your socks; the feel of rain down your back; all new and a bit exciting. This was not a chore- it was fun, despite what my heart rate monitor as telling me.

I wanted to have a solid, but steady run; one which ran the cobwebs away, but did not leave me tired ahead of the longer run in 36 hours time. So I choose my old faithful 5 miler route- something which I had gained intimate knowledge of. As a newbie, pace is hard to judge- especially when you are squinting against the driving rain.  What the heck, just run.

Mile 1- steady 8minute. Same mile 2. Mile 3- rain heavy, bit slower. Mile 4- VERY heavy, same time. Last mile- with water streaming down me- steady. 40 minutes, and I was done. And wet.

So what did I learn? A couple things; that firstly, just because it is raining, you dont always need a coat. I was as wet inside from the sweating than I was outside from the rain.

Also, when wet, clothes dont move. The constant sanding effect of my vest on my nipple had worn them down to an open and bleeding wound, a line of red down to my waist. This will hurt when I got in the shower.

But, through all this it was fun- it was still exciting. The wet, the blood, and the wind, was irrelevant; I enjoyed it.

I do hope that this does not wear off. At 41 years old, I feel young again!