Rain

It’s November. The days are shorter, the weather’s colder, and sunshine is in short supply. Getting motivated for a run when the world outside is grey and damp is not easy, especially when there’s a warm sofa and a good book beckoning. I could talk myself out of this very easily . . .

So why don’t I? The truth is that actually, deep inside, there is a part of me that actively enjoys going out in bad conditions. To know I’ve committed to a run in the wind and rain, when I’m going to come home looking battered and leave a puddle in the hall, gives an incredible sense of achievement. It doesn’t need to a be a long run, and it almost certainly won’t be fast, but knowing that I haven’t been beaten back by the weather is curiously empowering.

There are definitely some practical considerations here. I need to know that there’s time for a long, hot bath at the end of it, and a large mug of tea. Bad weather is not the time for running along exposed routes, with high winds more than rain playing a significant part in my route choice. This is also the time when all that techy kit comes into its own – fabrics that dry quickly are key, you don’t want to wear clothes that get so saturated they weigh you down. Unless it’s a wet day in the height of summer, a good running waterproof that is light and quiet will both keep you comfortable and get you out running for longer (I do own a very lightweight pair of running waterproof trousers, but they are very much emergency wear!). And don’t forget your feet, waterproof socks will keep your feet dry, warmer and (relatively!) cosy.

But there has to be more to it than just some practicalities that make running in the rain less awful. The first step is simple – I live in Wales, if I don’t run in the rain I’ll lose half the year, so either I embrace the weather or spend half my running life miserable. I run to make me happy, so there is no real option other than to embrace it, to open my arms and my eyes and understand that the sting of driving rain on my face is utterly exhilarating, that the downpour running off my nose and chin refreshes me better than any shower, that a steady drizzle awakens all my senses, and that the soft mizzle as I run through the mist is like a gentle kiss to remind me I’m alive.

When I think of it like that, I can feel myself smiling at the thought of the fantastic few months of winter running ahead of me. Bring on the rain!