Appreciation post: My relationship with the rain run transformed from dread to necessity

There was a time when a forecast of drizzle would have me canceling my route without a second thought. These days, I find myself craving the patter of rain on my jacket, a sensory reset that no sunny track can provide. Who would have thought that what I once avoided now grounds me more deeply than any perfect condition? It’s less about logging miles and more about embracing the elements as part of the process. Sometimes, I wonder if the real motivation was hiding in those uncomfortable moments all along.

4 comments

4 Comments

oscarc1211h ago

Funny how the mind shifts, isn't it? I recall a particularly brutal downpour during a trail run last fall where I was convinced I'd hate every second, but instead, it washed away a week's worth of mental clutter. That experience stuck with me more than any personal best on a dry track, almost as if the rain forced a kind of focus that fair weather never demands. Now I catch myself glancing at the sky, hoping for a few drops to break the monotony of a clear day. There's a raw honesty to running in the rain that makes the rest of the day feel quieter, more manageable.

hill.margaret10h ago

Tried that once and ate pavement, lol.

skyler_jackson277h ago

Three stitches later, I can confirm the pavement is undefeated. That was after a light drizzle turned my corner into a slip and slide. It's a humble reminder to check our optimism at the door.

kim.nina12h ago

The forecast called for 90% chance of rain this morning. I guess I've officially joined the cult of soggy sneakers and misplaced optimism. Next thing you know, I'll be praying for thunderstorms on long run days.