A Run of Two Parts: One which disappeared

[Birdlady64]

Another lie in this morning and a brunch of kippers and poached egg. No snow here yet, but hovering just above freezing and a threatening sky that turns to rain with the possibility of snow later.

It's early afternoon, and I'm not sure my kippers have settled properly yet, but Accuweather is predicting a break in the rain so it's kit on, warm up and out. Tights, long-sleeved top, t-shirt, buff, waterproof cap and lightweight rain jacket. In my rush I forget my gloves. It's cold, but with no wind it feels warmer than it actually is and I'm glad I didn't bring them.

I'm 5 minutes into my run and the rain starts. Gentle at first, then heavier and heavier.

I realise I can still taste my kippers!

Then it starts to hail. Then snow for a bit. Then back to rain again. Big heavy drops of really cold rain! My glasses are covered in rain drops and steaming up so everything is a blur. But strangely I'm warming up. I need to take my buff off too cool down a bit so I stop, pause my watch, remove my cap, remove the buff and stuff it in my jacket pocket and put the cap back on. I go to restart my watch - but there's no sign of anything 😱 What's happened to my run? Gah! I must have accidentally discarded it instead of pausing🤬

I set it going again and start running. But my heart isn't really in this now. The rain is getting heavier and is now seeping through my jacket. I can't see properly out of my specs any more. I manage another 1.2k and I'm pretty close to the top of my road and I decide I've had enough.

So not the run I wanted or planned for today. I wanted to do 9km, but in the end it would have been unpleasant in that weather and I would not have enjoyed it.

I've no real idea how far I ran - plotaroute.com says it was 3.48km until I stopped to remove my buff. The part of my run that did record was 1.21km so it was probably around 4.7km - not even a 5k for a (not)parkrun. Very dissatisfying.

In hindsight I feel like I cheated myself but never mind - it was still a run and I'm glad I went out. And I think I even enjoyed getting soaked in a weird masochistic kind of way.

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Sounds like a catalogue of weather disasters followed by a tech disaster! It just wasn’t your day. That has happened to me, the watch thing. I pulled my sleeve over the watch and it went into some kind of ‘mode’ and dumped the run.

At least you got out there and beat the weather! Your next run will be ace!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Yes it was a perfect storm!In hindsight I actually didn't mind being out in that weather - I got some slightly masochist pleasure from it.

The tech failure was the worst thing. Shows how dependent we are.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

There are a number of runner's on this forum who love running in the weather that you had today for your run, I am not one of them, neither are you, but well done on getting out in that weather, ☔ rain, hail and snow then back to rain, all within the time you ran just under 5K, I hope you had a nice hot drink of whatever you like once you got home. 😊 🏃🏾

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

I had a lovely hot shower a nice mug of rooibos and a banana 🍌😋

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

👍

[Fionamags Graduate10]

You should get massive kudos for endurance!!! Next time you'll get a long run in if the weather cheers up. I always feel really pleased with myself if I do even a short run in adverse conditions, but with a tech fail to boot? Definitely cutting it short was a wise move!!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Yes I guess. Never mind I'm still glad I went out. Im kind of proud of that excercise in self flagellation 😁

[Peter44 Graduate10]

No cheating there, you did well to be out there in those conditions, tech problems always throw us too 🤣 cutting it short, near home, sounds like a good idea, what's the point of continuing if your not going to enjoy it! 😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

The tech failure was the most annoying actually. Shows how dependent we get on these things. Annoyingly I think the run would probably have been close to my 5k PB. Hey ho!

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I've done my last few runs, without any notifications, which has been quite nice!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Well done regardless BL. I’m sure you felt disappointed but, as you say, it’s a run and 100% better than not getting out. 👏👏

The weather conspired against you and these things happen with tech! I almost discarded my run this morning as I pressed the button one too many times and scrolled past save. Lucky it asks if you’re sure - and I was able to say NO, and I averted “disaster”. 😱

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky. It was a combination of rain and not being able to see what I was doing I guess. I'm still not entirely sure how it happened. I wish now I hadn't stopped but I was getting really warm despite the rain and cold and just had to take that buff off.

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate10]

One of the days you just want to forget. Sounds like normal weather here in Ayrshire for me😱. Really glad you got out regardless and achieved your nearly 5k. I’m still suffering from snow and ice here, running dangerous and difficult. Looking forward to Springtime. 😀

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Ha ha! Yes you are a tougher breed than us softie southerners 😁Roll on Spring for sure

[Indielass00]

You did the right thing Birdlady64 You gave it a go but the weather was horrendous. No point carrying out if you won’t enjoy it. Just one of those runs that doesn’t go to plan.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Indielass00]

Thanks Indielass. In hindsight I did enjoy it in a weird way. The tech failure was the most annoying thing in the end. I'll be more careful next time something similar happens

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Oh for every run to be perfect and go smoothly eh? but then they would be boring, flipping January weather At least you were out and not far short of 5k in fact so close it might have been

Hope you warmed up nicely after

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I had a lovely hot shower 🚿 and a nice mug if Rooibos.The annoying thing is I have a feeling I was pretty close to a 5k PB despite the weather. Oh well....

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Now that is annoying to miss a PB but you will have many more chances

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Sometimes events just conspire against us. Well done for seeing it through! 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks!A conspiracy it most definitely was.

But I am still glad I went out

[Richard7 Graduate10]

Until recently I have always run with my glasses on but some runs in the last month it just wouldn't have been worth it!! It's nice not getting fogged up or raindrops blurring the view.Better luck/enjoyment on your next run

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

Thanks - yes specs are an occupational hazard aren't they

[Blossom- 60minGraduate]

As Coach Bennett would say 'it was the run you could' 😃

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Blossom-]

Good old Coach Bennett - very true😀

[swim63 60minGraduate]

Well, I think you did brilliantly!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to swim63]

Thanks swim63. Brilliant or just ever so slightly crazy maybe? 🤪