Training Log Archive: Orunner

It looked like rain. I checked the radar and saw what appeared to be some serious yellow and red blobs; little tiny storms riding an odd current from the north. They were pop-up thundershowers, to be sure. I like rain in general, but I particularly enjoy running in it, as long as its not knocking me down, and I can see. The problem is with the glasses. They get wet; I'm blind.

I grabbed my special running cap. It's a regular ball cap with a mesh top, a swoosh, and a hard, impervious to water, bill. When I need it, I place it flush with the top of the rim of my glasses. In most showers it keeps the glasses, eyes, and most of the face dry. It gives some kind of mental illusion that I am indoors, in a bubble, running through the rain. I know that I am getting wet, in fact I am usually drenched, but with dry glasses and face, I notice nothing but the sounds and a cool feeling. If you haven't experienced it, my words can not do it justice.

I dropped one Celebrex, flushed with a glass of water, knowing that I might not need it. I was thinking of taking a rest day, à la Pat. That being a shorter slower jog than recent days. I hope to bump up my daily mileage to 5 soon enough.

The temperature was still in the mid 80's. Yet it seemed to be a much more pleasant day to run. Overcast, slight breeze, the storm could come at anytime. I was tempted to try my five miles today. Lauren showed up at the last minute. We took off. She an octave above me, was soon well out front. I felt sore, and remembered my original intention to rest. I checked my pace, at the quarter I was still on for a season best. I heard my body. It was saying, "Yo, you their?" I knew that slowing down was in order. I felt that a rest was really the better plan. Most importantly, I do not want to risk injury.

I turned at the one. Headed back, resolved to stop after two with out shame. Up ahead, through the Honeysuckle, I heard laughter; some hoops and hollers. There were three teenage boys swimming in the river. How bizarre. Lightening flashed off in the distance, leaves were blowing from the trees, mother nature was coming. Who would be out in this stuff? Me, my team in servitude, and three carefree boys. Yet not a drop had threatened me. My cap invoked bubble went uninstantiated. I gripped its folded fabric in my fist, and with it wiped my brow as I crossed the finish.

No sooner than I was in my car, the rain tapered in. Intermittent wiper level at best. As I drove the mile lane out of the park, I saw my second Indigo Bunting. This one in a field near the forest edge. What a beautiful color.

9:08
9:31

I hope that I am rested well enough for tomorrow. If I am, I ramp it up.