I just got back from running in the rain. And not regular old rain, either. It was a cold 38 degree ‘I wish it were snowing and not raining’ kinda rain. The only thing missing was a nice 15 mph breeze to complete the misery. December rain! (sorry GnR fans).
A traditional average outside runner runs ‘in the elements’ between 4 and 5 times per week (it’s about 4.7 days a week… who runs the .7?). Delaware receives, on average, 116 days of precipitation per year, or one day of rain/snow every three. So, using the little math knowledge I did accumulate at my State College/University, you could, in theory, run outside and never run in the rain! In theory…
So, where’s the fun of running when it’s always dry? Or warm? Or calm? I’ve always said you will compete the way you train, and you don’t get to pick your weather on race day, so you might as well acclimate to it and maybe even embrace it a little.
The absolute worst race conditions I’ve ever run in took place in New Jersey back in 1997. It was a point-to-point 10-miler, starting on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. The headwinds were 15-20 mph and the air temp was 20 degrees, with a pelting sleet. Even Jersey can’t get it to snow right. If you know me, you’ll know the irony of the following statement – I wore tights. My time was 65 minutes, and I somehow snuck in a top 5 finish. The previous year, winning times were in the mid 50 minute range.
Wrapping your head around adverse weather conditions in training helps aid in the mental games a lot of runners play on race day. I’m not sure training in the conditions I mentioned above is a smart play, but running on colder days, on wet days, on windy days, all helps to steel you against days with all three. Mental toughness prevails!
There are some tips and suggestions for running in ugly weather. First, get good gear! For my run in the rain, I had water-resistant glove for my hands. If my hands and head are warm, the other 98% of me is, too. Also, make sure you have something dry to put on immediately afterwards. My current go-to top layer is a simple cotton t-shirt and a DE Marathon fleece jacket from 2010. Experiment! My susceptibility to cold or wet is not the same as your susceptibility to cold or wet. No two machines are the same.
By the way, your odds of winning an AG award go way up if you show up and run on a crappy-weather race day. I’m just saying, not everyone has the same mental toughness you have… am I right?
Don’t let days like today, or that cold March run in 1997 deter you from getting outside and running. Running has never been about being comfortable, and although safety needs to play a part in your daily 5 habit, so does going where others won’t… outside. Remind me to tell you about tornado day.
I hope to see you on the roads, tracks and trails.
