Blog Archives
Rain Ain’t No Thang
Weather is no barrier for cross country running! The muddier, the better. We’ve had rain for days but track training must go on. Although Saturday, I did cheat a little bit by taking my 6-miler to the treadmill. Usually treadmills make a 4 mile run seem like 9, and the clock moves in slow motion. But this time, I actually felt so good at 6 miles that I decided to just finish running the rest of the hour and completed 8 miles on the treadmill. I had a fantastic view from the second floor of the gym overlooking the north part of campus and the overcast grey skies. With my music, I literally lost track of time while ticking off each mile on the tread. That never happens.
I wasn’t even going to anticipate this uncharacteristically-pleasant treadmill run to repeat on Sunday, so I planned my Long Run outdoors come rain or shine. (But most likely rain…)
Ankles were definitely covered in mud by the end.
Since I already had some Sunday plans, I needed to get an early start on the 12-miler. Not in the mood to go solo, I enlisted my friend/teammate Kerri to keep me company. She rode her bike next to me through the nasty weather, and played photographer for a little bit too ;)
I was so grateful to have her there, because I know I would not have made it all 12 miles without some company. That little voice in my brain would’ve told me to just cut it short so I can brew some coffee and climb back in bed. I’m glad I didn’t! That was the longest I had run since July. Amazing feeling (:
Running in the rain has it’s perks:
1. PUDDLES: You are already wet; might as well make a little giant splash.
2. Dark Clouds & Rainbows: Just too pretty.
3. No one can tell how much you are sweating because you are already soaked!
4. Feeling like you are in a Taylor Swift song.
5. Totally earning a steaming cinnamon coffee afterward.
If you aren’t such a fan of this gloomy weather, then as Gary Allan says, “Every storm runs out of rain.” (He also has a song called “Songs About Rain” ……) I could literally come up with a whole playlist of Rain Songs.
- Bruno Mars, It Will Rain.
- Hilary Duff, Come Clean
- Adele, Set Fire to the Rain
- Luke Bryan, Rain is a Good Thing
- We the Kings, Rain Falls Down
- Taylor Swift, Fearless
Okay so that turned out to be a shorter playlist than I thought. My point is, even on a dreary day we can find the bright side! Hope your week is off to a great start. : )
You may also like: Stuck Indoors? Winter Workouts
Winter Workout Plan
Is it too soon for Christmas music? I THINK NOT! If Starbucks’ coffee cups can have snowmen and snowflakes, then all festivity is fair game.
Winter seemed to make its appearance today after weeks of the best sunny weather. I woke up this morning to ferocious winds and sideways rain fall, not exactly the running weather I anticipated.
So what are we to do when the weather turns dreary and rain or snow challenge our outdoor activities? If you are a hardcore cross country runner, weather is no barrier. Last year, my teammates and I literally ran through a blizzard. Not the most delightful workout but definitely unforgettable. There were tears.
But if rain or snow does put a damper on your outdoor workout plan, you can still get in some decent cardio, strength training and stretching in the comfort of your (warm and dry) home.
Really there are TONS of indoor, no-equipment-required fitness plans (I find them on Pinterest!). But if you know you will be stuck indoors for a good chunk of the winter weather, you might want to invest in some “props.” Medicine balls, Bosu Balls, Swiss Balls, Resistance Bands and some light weights. I will do a workout post on each of these in the next couple of weeks. Variety will keep you motivated and free from boredom!
And of course, if snow comes your way, you can always embrace it!
And if you have a gym membership, then weather ain’t no thang. My outdoor run has been moved to a treadmill, and this afternoon I’ll be doing some indoor rock climbing with a friend! We can work around weather ;)
You may also like:
