Puddles, puddles everywhere!

The last time I went for a run was on the 12th, so it’s been a while. With the Resolution Run happening at the end of the year, I decided that I really needed to get back to practise, even if it’s only up until the run. It’s a 5K run just meant to get yourself in the right state of mind for the new year. Well, even though I know that 5K is manageable, I didn’t want to show up really rusty. Never mind that I’m likely going to be right at the end…I just don’t want to be hurting by the end of it. So, this past Saturday I was totally resolved to make it to this morning’s running club practise. When I woke up, I looked out the window and saw that the rain was really falling down hard, but it also seemed to be rather intermittent. So, I let out a big sigh, got dressed and headed to RR.

So, this wasn’t the first time I’ve run out in the rain. However, it’s the first I’ve done in the rain in much colder weather, with large pools of water turning the sidewalks and roads into a weird gauntlet of ice patches, blocked storm drains, and cars whizzing by. I realized early on that I wouldn’t be able to go all that fast. The coach slowed down yet again to keep me company, but after 20 minutes I told him that my heart rate was just too high. I told him that he should just go ahead and join the others. I knew the route, and I wanted to go at my pace–I didn’t want to make someone wait around. So, he went ahead, and I was on my own.

I ran a good part of the run on the roads because the sidewalks were full of ice and pools of water. Even on the roads though, streams of water made for a wet experience. While running uphill, the water became a little deep and fast moving. So many times, water got into my shoes making for a very uncomfortable experience. I might compare the feeling to stabbing pins suddenly attacking your feet. After a short while though, the pain subsides and all you’re left with is a squishy feeling.

*squish squish squish*

After a little while, I didn’t even notice it. I couldn’t run on the road when I got to the bigger streets, so I was stuck dodging things on the sidewalk. You know, my feet were already so wet and gross that I eventually said “screw it!” Instead of attempting to find a better route around some puddles I just went right through. Sure, more water got in, but it’s not like I was going to get any drier. The rain was relentless. I was at least expecting to get some breaks in the rain like I’d noticed at home, but no–it just kept on coming. I didn’t notice juts how much water my pants were soaking up, but in the last 3K I noticed everything was ridiculously clingy.

I eventually got back in one piece, 8 minutes later than my last 10K time. I was alright with that all things considered. I mean, I’m out of practise, and the weather was bad. The faster peeps actually made it back in the same amount of time as they would on a drier day.

Heh. Maybe one day I’ll be like them. Meanwhile, I’m just doing what I can.