Running in The Rain - Partly Backwards!

[Birdlady64]

It's been raining non-stop all day here and I knew the woods would be like a Glastonbury mud-fest. I'm due to do run 2 of week 8 today but I really don't want to get wet and muddy. I hated school cross country with a passion, but the forecast for tomorrow looks no better so it's do or die.

I don't have a running jacket so I put on the nearest thing I have - a windproof hoody - and donned a baseball cap to keep the rain off my glasses and set off.

I could tell my husband thought I was bonkers from the way he was looking at me. "Are you going out in this weather?"

In the woods it's a Glastonbury mud-fest. When I started off the hoody combined with the hat made me too warm, but the cold rain trickling down the back of my neck was cooling me down and weirdly it actually felt quite nice.

I was just settling into a nice rhythm when two ladies in full protective gear appeared and tried to speak to me. As I passed I heard "Which way is back to the car park?" They sounded a little desperate.

I didn't want to stop so I turned, and running backwards, I give them directions back to where they left their car. I didn't know I could run backwards😀

I turned back around and Oh Boy! that's upset my rhythm! It took a good 5 minutes to get over that but then everything just fell into place. I felt good, I saw nobody else all run and the water kept trickling down the back my neck to cool me down.

I got home wet and muddy but happy. I never ever thought I would enjoy running for 28 minutes in the rain and mud, but this may be my best run yet! Just 4 runs left until graduation now !! 🤞

[Workingathome Graduate]

Fabulous! And well done! I’ve only run in the rain once and wasn’t looking forward to it but I enjoyed it too it’s strangely liberating isn’t it! (Not sure il feel the same when it’s freezing rain in winter though 🤔)

[Birdlady64 Graduate in reply to Workingathome]

Hmm yes - will cross that bridge when necessary but yes I really enjoyed the run in the rain. I really surprised myself

[Chocs_away Graduate]

Wow well done, sounds like an exciting trip out.

[Birdlady64 Graduate in reply to Chocs_away]

Yes. I have a reputation for exciting trips!

Mostly on my trips abroad but it seems to be sticking with me.🙂

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

👏🏼👏🏼I love this!! You rock!

[Birdlady64 Graduate in reply to SweatyHettie]

Thanks!

Not sure about the rocking bit🤔

I started this journey at the start of lockdown as a dedicated swimmer and totally reluctant runner but am starting to enjoy my runs.

I never thought I would say that!

[HappyNoodle Graduate]

Woohoo 🥳

Fantastic!! I did same run as you today (without mud and rain, I had app issues instead, kept stopping 🙁)

[Birdlady64 Graduate in reply to HappyNoodle]

Oh No! 😱

Hope you managed ok despite the app issues.

We are getting to the stage where we can manage without I reckon. But I'm not going to ditch Michael until post graduation. It just wouldn't t right

[HappyNoodle Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

I did think shall I just do it without, but I knew I wanted the little pieces of encouragement throughout the run to look forward to!

I weirdly managed to shave a minute an a half to two mins off my usual miles. 🙃