Runner in the rain can be scary. Heading out to get a workout in when it is about to rain can be troublesome. Getting caught in a downpour while walking in the woods can make me hesitate. However, some of my greatest experiences have been running in the rain.
I have often thought about the negative consequences of running in slippery conditions seeing that I could fall or trip injuring myself , maybe a visit to the doctor. I think about water soaked clothing that has to be peeled off, phones that have to dry out, and water creeping into my eyes. My bicycle chain dissolving into rust. Helmet slipping off, and sunglasses that fog up. Expensive shoes that I paid dearly for are now deformed by the muddy water. All of these things mentioned above produce and sometimes they happen.
I have missed many great opportunities for a workout because of fear. The rain never came the clouds disappeared, and the sun came out telling me that I did not complete my running goals.
I can remember well my first big bike ride in the rain. I can still see the rain filled potholes in the road. I still feel the vibration under my wheels from the roadside wash out close to the river. The smell of incoming precipitation coming from the sky remains. I had signed up for the century ride ( 100 miles) and the weather was sort of iffy. I was cautiously optimistic that we would be safe. I thought it would be fine.
I always had apprehensions about getting caught in the rain on my bike running or walking hiking. I was checking the weather watching the skies observing the forecast to see if it was clear to go. What would I do if it started raining what would happen how would I get in the dry or get back home.
Many times I had close calls making it back home before the wet weather arrived before the clouds rolled in. I can remember well the celebrations that I had because I had made it home just in time.
However, it was not so bad as I thought getting caught in the rain. It was unlike what I perceived or dreamed. It was sort of fun and exciting seeing that I completed my goal of riding, running, walking in the rain. You see sometimes fear was my biggest inhibitor not the rain.
Memorial Fitness 