Sunday, March 13, 2016

Running Obsession

I know that runners are messed up. They obsess about getting out there no matter the weather.
In spite of logically understanding this, I find myself, like a Donald Trump groupie, unable to resist.
The other morning, my friend Sheila texted to ask if I wanted to walk if the weather permitted.
Here I am from a 66 degree run in December --
soaked through and through. 
I told her I was still in bed but I needed to run first.
"Stay in bed!" she texted. "It's raining out now."
Avoiding a walk in the rain makes sense, but once the thermometer creeps into the 50s, my runner's rule says I have to get out there. It's warm enough to run in the rain.
So I did on Thursday and again this morning, as I woke up to the sound of raindrops against the windows.
I dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and running leggings that stop at my knee. I slid on a long-sleeved jacket since the temperature read 52 degrees. I encased my phone  in a plastic bag and wrapped my Fitbit in plastic too so I could get credit for my steps.
This morning, the clock said 7:30, but the sky said 6:30 since we moved the clocks forward last night.
My friend Naj and I ran in the snow this winter too.
We're die hard runners. 
I ran through the wet, dark streets. I didn't feel the rain but I could see it falling when I looked at the lights. I quickly got too warm and pulled my jacket off. As I passed mile three, my hands felt icy and wet. I tried to shake off the rain that soaked my arms, my pony tail. I felt the squoosh of water in my soaked socks and shoes.
And finally, I thought, this is crazy. I ran home at just under four miles, feeling guilty about my run cut short -- but satisfied that my Fitbit had a jump on my 10,000 steps for the day.
We runners are nuts, but I don't think I'd give it up.

4 comments:

Just Me said...

You Go Girl!

Vicki said...

I think it's amazing that you're so dedicated to running that you'll run in the snow and rain. My oldest son and his wife are runners too, but the only time they run in the rain is when they're training for Tough Mudder or something.

Vicki said...

The reason they don't run in the rain all the time is that we live in Florida where lightening is a big threat when it rains. People have gotten struck by lightening even when it wasn't raining.

Paulita said...

Vicki, I guess lightning is an issue. I once got stranded on someone's porch during a run when the thunder clapped so loud it set off car alarms. I took cover then

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