A Cautionary Tale

[Beachcomber66]

I messed up badly today. I was stupid enough to trust the weather forecast!

I watched what I thought was the last throes of forecast overnight rain running down the kitchen windows as I ate my bowl of porridge, noted the temperature was 14C and decided that my lightweight waterproof jacket tied around my waist was going to be an unnecessary encumbrance.

Sure enough the rain stopped and out I went, clad in a thin technical undershirt and a slightly thicker long sleeved running shirt on top. Trail shorts (which are lined thankfully) were at least a good choice.

Thursday is hill run day; the route has 164 metres Total Ascent, and starts on a narrow smooth surfaced path in the shelter of overhanging trees, but then hits rougher more exposed higher ground with no tree cover to speak of. About five minutes after I started to run, the rain hit. It was that fine, penetrating, half way between mist and proper rain stuff which soaks through in seconds. I began to feel cold too. I saw a few hardy hikers who had decided to brave the conditions, every one of them snugly wrapped in waterproofs with hoods up. Rubbing it in!

So, I upped the pace, upset VO2 max severely (docked two points) and finished my 48 minute “Night Run” with CB as quickly as I could. His last week’s offering was a Rainy Run. I should have listened more carefully!

I grabbed a quick “to go” coffee from the cafe, which warmed me up a bit as I trudged home in disgrace. My wet running clothes weighed over a kilo…..

Apart from being docked 2 VO2 max points, the data from the run wasn’t too bad. My quickest yet over that route. There is a serious point here though. Autumn is starting to make its presence felt up here, and warmth and staying dry are definitely back on the agenda. Lesson learned!

I need food!

Hope conditions are better where you are 👍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Absolutely pouring down here Beachcomber66 so we are sat watching the Paralympics. Well done for keeping your run going despite the extra weight of rain sodden clothing.

There’s no doubt, it is definitely feeling autumnal and I’ll be taking several options of clothing to the New Forest at the weekend.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Sensible as ever Dexy5. New Forest will be a great day for you all.🙂

[Jools2020 Half Marathon]

Oh dear, that doesn’t sound fun at all! I was more fortunate. I checked the forecast on Accuweather and it was due to start raining in 2 hours, great, I thought! With a temperature of about 14 degrees and a humidity of 92% I thought that a short sleeved tee and 3/4 (cool) leggings would be fine. 0% chance of rain so no jacket! It started raining about 5 minutes into my 60 minute run but it was just drizzle so I was fine! I wasn’t cold.

Well done for your wet, chilly run! 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

The wind here is from the North …always 🥶

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Had a 17.5 km/hr NNE but I was sheltered by the trees I think! 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

You are right as always 🙂 NNE here too. “Feels like 12C”, wind 23 km/h, humidity 99%. I suspect that the humidity isn’t helping…part rain,part mist. I should have read the signs!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I had to laugh, ‘right as always’ 🤣

I think it was the cold rain that made the difference to your run! It’s funny, I am usually such a girly wuss - but not when I’m running. High humidity , I’ve recently found, doesn’t seem to make much difference (although 99% is impressive). I did get caught in an absolute deluge one day, though and couldn’t stop laughing, but I did cut the run short and headed for home pretty smartish 😊

In any case - you got it done in adverse conditions! Kudos 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

I run in all weathers (except ice; one fractured vertebra is enough thanks!) but I am usually good at selecting the right clothing. The aversion therapy from this morning will keep me on my toes!

[misswobble Marathon]

yup it sure is 😀🍁🍂💨☔️💦. I got very wet but I remembered my hooded jacket 😁. It came off after my warm up but back on for my brisk walk home 🌫🏃‍♀️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

The ten minute walk home was the coldest and wettest bit despite the coffee. If I had had my hooded jacket…no problem….I won’t make the same mistake again…until next year!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

😀

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

There is no bad weather, only poor layer choices 😂. I agree, walking after cold rain is the worst 🙂. But a hot coffee afterwards is golden.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

😂😂😂 Morning Decker …ouch!!

You are absolutely right of course. Trick is not to repeat the error…..I will factor wind direction into my calculations next time!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Haha. Every season I go through the same thing and wind up wet and freezing in the woods somewhere. You’d think I’d learn over time? Nope 😂

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

We haven't had rain today, that doesn't sound much fun but you did it 😁

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

I have just finished my post run runner’s yoga for calves and hamstrings; feels much better. You are in the best place indoors Sue. The run wasn’t pleasant, but it was a success, so I will settle for that 🙂.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oooh BC, I feel cold just reading that. Currently beside the canal in Llangollen and no rain. Just ran a section of the 'narrows' totally overdressed for the occasion and now cooling off as I wait for the boat to catch up 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I haven’t been to North Wales since Mrs BC and I went there Youth Hostelling in our teens! We walked from Penmaenmawr, via Tal-y-Bont, Llanrwst and many more points over to Bangor and Caernarfon. Lovely places; we learned the Welsh for Ladies and Gents pretty early on!

Nice to have a chauffeur driven boat to come and collect you at the end of your run! Hopefully with hot drinks and food and just maybe a splash of wine 😋.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I got about 20 email notifications of this reply!!!

No run. More than a splash of wine. And champagne. Our future son-in-law had invited us to join him and our daughter on their canal boat trip. This morning he propsed, she said yes, and then, together with his mum, we popped our heads up! On the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. It didn't rain a drop despite the forecast. We then motored to Llangollen for a lovely lunch, before heading back to the aqueduct for a last toast. We've left them to the rest of the holiday and walked back along the tow path to the B&B. A beautiful day ❤️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Sounds like a perfect day 🙂.

I got about 20 versions of Floss’s response ! Not me guv; I didn’t do anything wrong 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Interesting. gremlins in the system huh?

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yep….seems ok at present.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Cold here today but only a few spots of rain... well done you and hoping you got dry and warm,!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

You're up north so probably colder than us down south 🤣 but it’s absolutely foul here today. We have floods at the bottom of the village already.

Your run reminds me of one I did in Ireland in spring a few years ago and I got caught out in rain and wind and it was so cold. I wasn't wearing the right clothes and they made a thump noise when they hit the bathroom floor afterwards 🤣

I can’t remember who it was but someone here said I should have showered with the clothes on and then take them off in the shower. Much easier than tying to peel off wet clothes! I haven’t tried it yet but winter is coming….

Now you’re no doubt dry and warm BC, you can reflect back on the run and give yourself a pat for having done it 🤗 Well done 👍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you IP. The mist has thickened up and is almost a fog now. Miserable weather, but we have had a good spell from mid July so I shouldn’t grumble ☹️.

Fed, warmed and cool down yoga done; I feel human again. Time for a cup of tea!

I will give Molly a good groom when her tea settles; something between yoga and all in wrestling! Gentle persuasion, a bit of determination and a shed load of gravy bones!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Maybe that would work with us too. Apart from the gravy bones 🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

For “must do” vital stuff the stakes are raised; sausages 🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I’d do a lot for sausages too 😋

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Guess what we’re having tonight? Sausages! 😋

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Lucky you! You have given me an idea though. I make a mean sausage casserole!!😋

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I love a sausage casserole!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

You can feel it doing you good as you eat it……now I am going to have to make one soon!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Ahh BC, even Captain Sensible is allowed a slip up. I’d have done exactly the same btw. I like to take as little as possible on a run, especially with my tendency to feel the heat, even in the rain, but this time of year can throw all sorts at us and we need to look ahead.

You learned your lesson, you ran well and you’ll know for next time. Autumn is most definitely here. 🍃 🍁 🍂 💦

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It is Cheeky, thanks. I was in denial I think!☹️

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

weather is so unpredictable this time of year, it’s difficult to know what to put on. Well done for surviving! ‘The childing autumn, angry winter, change their wonted liveries, and the mazed world, by their increase, knows not which is which.’ (A M N D 2.1).

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Spot on as ever Shakes! Enjoy your weekend 🙂

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

A Hilly run in the rain! Havent done that for a while Good! Good fun🤪 but also hard! Bet that coffee tasted good! Soaked through feeling not so good! But well done on completing the run xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Aliboo. In fairness I didn’t set out to do a hill run in the rain; I just got caught in it!! I think that your hills are tougher than mine (from reading race reports). Thankfully the coffee always tastes good!!