Rain, Rain, Don't Run Away!

Like Henry David Thoreau, veteran runners learn to exploit the riches of the land to boost their performance to the greatest extent possible. We make up for lost time on downhill sections of races courses. We use the wind at our backs to lengthen our stride and increase our speed. We use people in front of us to decrease wind resistance through the Nascar

strategy of drafting. And, as I did this past Sunday, we use the cool crisp climate created when it rains to rehydrate, refresh and replenish the energy we lost before the Heavens opened up.

Lucky for me, I have always loved to run in the rain. Not the huge torrential downpours, of course. But whenever there is a steady rain hitting the streets of New York, I can almost guarantee you that I will be outside running through it. Despite the fact that my stupid Apple Ipod is at risk of breaking whenever even a tiny droplet of water glances off any part of its exterior, I will simply put a waterproof case over it (or even a simple plastic bag) and will continue unheeded through the downpour all the while Singin' In The Rain.

And the love of running in the rain is not a belief solely held by me. On June 4th, Liz Robbins published an article entitled Running In The Rain in the New York Times which described her pleasant experience of running in Central Park in the middle of a rain storm. Hesitant at first to venture outdoors, Robbins recounted that, "I breathed in the deliciously earthy odor of wet leaves and worms. I suddenly felt buoyed by the tranquility of the setting and forgot about the rain soaking my shorts and apparently not-water-resistant-after-all running jacket". Robbins' article goes on to detail how there is a growing number of runners who have found that it is actually more enjoyable running when it is raining over when it ain't.

Anyways, maybe my fondness for running in a wet environment stems from the fact that I tend to excessively sweat during, and shortly after the completion of, a run (no matter how long or far the run may have been). There have been many-a time when I have arrived home and have been asked by a family member, doorman or passing fan whether it was raining outside. Initially confused by the question since there hadn't been a cloud in the sky, I needed only to look down at my entirely sweat-soaked tshirt to understand the cause for the question. Not wanting to get into a conversation with the person who had asked me the silly question, I generally tended to feign ignorance with the English language and continued on my way. Being as I generally knew the person who had asked the question, I found that my feigning rarely worked but at least it avoided an unwanted conversation and ensured that that person, who now thought me quite rude, probably wouldn't ask me it again (as well as probably wouldn't ever talking to me again at all).

I encourage all you out there to try and run through the rain next time you get the chance. You'll be amazed at how enjoyable it truly is. And, I guarantee you this as well: you sure won't be singing that childish song, Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Another Day, ever again.