So yesterday I was planning on another run after work. At 4pm, heading over to the library, I thought it felt quite close and a little 'stormy'. Checked lightning maps when I got back to my office, and no sign of any storms anywhere in the UK. Must be imagining it.
At 5:30pm I'm thinking I should stop what I'm doing and head home for that run. I look out the window. Quite a lot of grey clouds, and a few drops of rain on the window. Check lightning maps again, still no evidence of storms.... No, wait... A red dot just appeared south of Bishop Auckland. A few seconds later and another to the west, then another to the north - definitely moving this way. I hear a very faint rumble of thunder from that last one. Bother. Not again!
The rain is now coming down quite heavily, purposeful rain that means business. I'm not walking home in this. Lightning over Spennymoor now, thunder getting louder. Rain gets heavier, and then heavier still; the water is pouring off the roof, the drain right beneath my window is filling up fast. The just when I think it can't get any worse, it does. Sheets of water are cascading out of the sky, it's more water than air out there, the drain is now about a foot deep in water and it's still pouring down. Thank goodness I'm not actually walking home. Then a pang of guilt - I remember the cat went out this morning when I left for work. I hope you've found somewhere to shelter, little pussycat!
Lightning maps shows storm is heading off towards Newcastle. Rain calms down a bit, back to regular heavy rain. I may as well just carry on working. 6:30pm, realise I need another book from the library. Rain is much gentler, library is just next door - scoot over. Eventually I find the book I need, and head to the exit. I don't believe it! The rain is back - serious, heavy, 'you'll get drenched in 10 seconds' rain. I contemplate running though it, but I'll have to use the side door and it's out of hours, there's a risk it will be locked. If it is I'll have to go all the way along to the other end of the chain of buildings to get in - decide I'm not risking it and start to read my book while waiting for the rain to slacken. After 10 minutes it does ease off, and I rush over to the side door - thank goodness, it's still unlocked!
Settle down to do more work while waiting for the rain to reduce to sensible levels, 'I can walk home' levels. Eventually leave at 8pm. Blue sky appearing, this would be lovely weather to run in - but by the time I get in and sorted out it will 8:30pm, and I'm already ridiculously hungry. Plus I need to finish the work I was doing. I guess my run tonight is off - the storm won that one!
I can only conclude that thinking of running = 🌩⚡️⛈🌧🌧💦💦💧💧💧💧
Storming run this morning
A run of two halves...
W9R3 - I made it through the storm!
Last but two in the Park Run!
To run or not to run in the wind in Storm Ali? 
