I draw the line at hailstones. W5R2.

[con-brio]

Amazing weather today; rainbows, thunder and lightning, hailstones and torrential rain. Perfect for explaining to my high school students what we mean by “raining cats and dogs”.

Got myself into a right old state about going out this afternoon. Got home as yet another storm started. No way was I going to run in that! So got the magnetic treadmill out… fine for walking on, but this would be the first time running on it. Gave up half way through the first 8 mins. Belt slipped too far to one side so had to get off and adjust the tension. Checked weather on internet… tomorrow morning looks promising. Decided to do the run then and so got changed again. Then checked outside again… only a light drizzle. Right, let’s go for it! So back on with the running gear and out that door before I had second thoughts.

The fact that so many of you brave guys in the UK have been out in all weather these past couple of days really spurred me on. What are a few hailstones, after all?

Once into my first 8 minute run I was the Cheshire cat personified. Later, half way through the 5 minute walk before the second 8 minute run the lightning and thunder started up again. Since my route’s dotted with trees that have been struck by lightning in the past, I decided to make a run for it, so ended up doing more than the planned 8+8 minutes.

Got some funny looks as I got back… Italians just don’t get it. Why go out in the rain? Anyway, as warm as toast again, typing this up while keeping an eye on the BBC live streaming of the Papal election (i.e. a boring chimney). My students did a mock conclave with me: they reckon Scherer will get it, just for the record.

[amsjo Graduate]

... Wonder if any of the cardinal are doing C25K ... maybe they are in there doing their 8 minute runs

Congratulations for keeping going ... think I would just have given up... I was out in the swirling snow and below zero temperatures but seem to run better for it .. not sure about going in a thunderstorm :/

must get the live streaming up to see the smoke

[con-brio Graduate in reply to amsjo]

I'm chuckling away at the thought of those cardinals taking their orders from Laura! Thanks.

[greenlegs Graduate]

Nothing like a bit of lightning to add speediness! I love watching storms, but not so sure I'd want to run in them.

When we visited Hadrian's Wall, there was a glorious storm while we at the fort (can't think of the name, but it was very exposed). My darling daughters decided to run around in the rain waving their arms - most unnerving!

[con-brio Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

I wasn't intending to... believe me. It caught me by surprise.

Very bleak up on the Wall, your girls really risked it.

Never quite sure what to do with lighting... I know the worst thing is to stand under a tree, but should we remain upright or throw ourselves to the ground?

[Norni Graduate]

Just wanted to say I love your pic and your name! Great to hear from folks further afield. Ciao.

[con-brio Graduate in reply to Norni]

Thanks.

The pic is photo I took of a small statue a dear friend gave me years ago after my marriage broke down: it's called "Courage" by Willow Tree and sits on the shelf above my desk. It gives me such an uplift whenever I glance at it.