Running in the Rain

Logged another 5 miles today. In 53 degrees. In the rain. Par-tay!!!

Seriously. Okay, okay. Confession #1: training brings out the weird in me. Confession #2: I think running in the rain is possibly the best thing ever. Reason #1: no competition for track/trail space - because no one else is crazy enough to run in the rain. Reason #2: I think it's just my inner child coming out. Like jumping in puddles, but better! So not only have I been spending more time than usual singing and dancing like an idiot, but I do it as I am running in the glorious rain.

Not crazy about running in these conditions? It's all in how you dress. 53 degrees is cool, but not cold. Remember, if you are a fast runner, the immediate air around you can be up to 15 degrees warmer than ambient temperature, so you don't want to overdress! I wore yoga capri pants: they are still lightweight, but provide a little extra warmth and the rain doesn't soak through to your skin. I also wore a long sleeve technical shirt underneath a running vest: tech shirts are lightweight and wick sweat away from the body, running vests (at least the ones I have) are made out of polyester microfiber that resists wind and water - to keep you dry in the rain! - but are also vented to let air through strategically. Add a running hat (also polyester microfiber and vented) to keep your head cool and dry. Another tip for those of you who fall in love with running in the rain, or just have the willpower to make yourself go, those little silica beads you get out of shoes, electronics, some OTCs? Don't throw them away!!! I have metal can (mine is from a candle, but a coffee can would work as well) FULL of those packets. Anytime anything electronic (phone, iPod, Nike+ sensor, all of the above) gets wet, no worries - just turn it off and throw it in the can! They dry out in no time! Now you're ready for those rainy day runs!!! :-)

It's funny, when I'm not running it seems like it doesn't take long at all to lose my aerobic endurance and start to get a little bit flabby. Luckily for me, at least when it comes to the flab, it doesn't take much to tone up again. Maybe I just have good genes (thanks mom & dad!) but this is really the first week I've been sticking to my food/training goals, and I already notice a difference. My legs tone super fast, which I must admit makes me love them! I've already got what I call the "frog leg" look back, aka what happens to me when I'm running. I was blessed to grow up spending my summers with female friends who were athletic and appreciated muscle. One friend played soccer for the State championship team, and ran marathons - this chic was toned and sculpted. I remember the "cool" girls telling her how much they envied her - and her legs! They were all about being physically fit and challenging yourself, and eating up! No need to be a skinny-mini. So while some girls might be bothered by how I (aka my runner's legs) look. Endless reps of squats, every easy mile, every sprint run. I have earned those muscles, and I wear them proudly!

An added bonus of training is remembering what is really important. Running is time consuming even for the fastest runners. You have to make time to run, to ice down, to recoup, to stretch, to feed your body. It takes precedence over other things you "have" to do. It's a busier, yet somehow simpler way of life.