Pinch Punch first of the month!
Hello running friends … here we are. JUNE 1st. Ain't that a surprise. This year, for me, seems to be whizz, whizz, whizzing!
I am certainly whizzing, that is for sure!
It has been a really busy day here for me... BUT...The cushions are out, the sun is still shining and the snacks and drinks are plentiful... some new recipe protein snacks made today and for MissUnderstanding . a small but tasty, almond croissant!
May was a month and a half, though.. full of ups and downs, runs here and runs there, and weather that did not seem to know what to do with itself. We had, here in the Moorlands... the full range. Everything from, hot to cold, wet to dry, gales, thunder , rain and hail...it was unsettled !
Now... I shall remember, mostly, May, weather wise , for the lack of sunshine, and of course, the endless, relentless, seemingly ever-present... RAIN! I am, or have been, usually, an optimist, accepting what comes, and seeing the positive elements are there.
BUT... the rain ! I know we need the rain, I know the benefits, I know we should see the wonderful benefits of rain compared with those countries which are desperate for it. BUT... !
So, imagine my surprise, when I discovered on one of my rambling, research routes, I came across a HUGELY interesting fact. Being outside in the rain can make us, wait for it... Happier and healthier !
I kid you not... and yes, scientists have discovered, that rain can make us happy and improve our mental health.
Having discovered this amazing fact, I explored more and wow... what a lot I found out.
Okay.. the science bit... from a BBC meteorological study...”When it rains, molecules are released into the air and some become negatively charged ions. When we inhale them, it is thought they can help to relieve stress and even boost our energy levels.”
Research is taking place into the effects of negative ions, but it is thought they may boost our mood, relieve stress and give us more energy. Okay!
The scientists believe that there is much to be discovered in the fact that being exposed these negative ions is really beneficial.. the cleaner air after rain, that unmistakable scent in the air, mentioned only recently by one of our runners and the way that smell, called petrichor, from the Greek words petra, meaning "stone", and ichor, meaning "the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods impacts us so positively.
No one really understands it, but research goes on!
So! Running in the rain? I feel many, many, many of us have done that ...but, did we realise how good it was for us? I know I thought about a lot...but mostly, how wet I was!
Basically... and I have gathered a lot of info and putting it into a sort of nutshell,
The benefits of running in the rain:
Running is the rain can feel so, so liberating... like being a child again!
* Stress, the relief of:
The calm, the soothing sounds, the scent and the sensations...our stress levels reduce and we feel more at ease.
* Boosting your mood
This happens in most weather conditions, and as we know. that is because exercise releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood-boosters.
* Mindfulness
Running in the rain can focus us wonderfully, running in the moment, and we have had posts about this before. Having an awareness if our surroundings, taking time as we run gently, to absorb the sights and sounds whilst feeling and the sensations in our body.
* Character building:
Apparently running in the rain can make us tough! It does help to build resilience and mental toughness. It may feel hard, but the effort of running maybe through heavy torrential rain and even a headwind, will strengthen us and make sunny, runny days, feel wonderfully, easy!
* Touching Nature ;
So we need to say more... we know how the wonders of the great outdoors, are so beneficial... and running in the rain does not diminish, but rather enhance that; a real connection with the world around us. This in turn release the feeling so calm, and ease and relaxation. Yes, even whilst running.
The disadvantages?
We get WET 
( But we do dry out
Okay, there we are... food for thought, whilst heading on the C25K route... using the wetness, to fuel the happiness in our runs.
I have had some very, very, very wet runs... but, I am, going to try to focus more, when I next do one, on the positive benefits of that run ! Interestingly, Mr OF has just said to me whilst we were discussing this subject, that when I get in from a very wet run, I am buzzing, exhilarated and glowing ! Who would have thought it !
Your turn to share now... C25K-ers... and all our other running friends; have any wet runs slowed you down or put you off. Do you go out for a planned run if it is raining... I don't really like to do that... don't mind if I am out there though. What about you, do you go or not?
We are here, and waiting to see , wet or dry, who pops in to chat...this evening or tomorrow
Oldfloss x
