Monday, May 23, 2011

10k Training & Running in the Rain

The first week of 10k training went well.  I did my first hill repeat workout on my street since there is a steep hill close by.  While I was doing these repeats, a guy was out mowing his lawn.  He definitely gave me funny looks when he noticed that I kept running up the hill and then down the hill over and over! 

On Sunday I set out to do 6 miles.  The schedule didn't call for that much yet, but it's the amount of miles I felt like running.  The weather forecast said that it wouldn't rain in the morning so I thought I'd have a dry run...  Yeah, not so much.  The moment I stepped on the running path, it started to rain.  At first it was a light sprinkle, but it didn't take long before the skies opened up and steady rain was falling.

I had to do 2 laps around the lake in order to get 6 miles in.  When I was close to finishing my first lap, I started to debate stopping at 3 and calling it a day.  But then I thought about how I ran 26.2 miles in pouring rain...  So I could do 6 miles.  Plus you never know what the weather will be like on race day so I figured I better keep going. 

As I was starting my 2nd lap, I met 2 runners on the path who were catching their breath.  The guy looked at me and said, "Keep going!  You look so strong, you can do it!" 

That's one of the things I love about the running community.  Most of the people I have met through running are so encouraging and there is this sense of camaraderie.  I mean, where else in life are you going to get a pep talk from a stranger?

A couple of months ago, I would have used the rain as an excuse to cut my run short - or not go at all.  These days, I am pretty darn committed to getting these training runs in.  It's nice to see how much more disciplined I've gotten.  It's like I've gotten back into the frame of mind that I was in during marathon training.  I like to think that my discipline for running and my ability to push myself through discomfort extends into my life.  I think being a better, more committed runner makes me a better person in general.

I finished those 6 miles at a 9:30 pace - so a minute faster per miles than I was running a month ago.  Hip hip hooray!

Do you run/walk in the rain?  I was surprised to see how many people were out on the running paths despite the rain!

21 comments:

abbi said...

Great job on the rainy 6 miles...it's funny how when I'm not that committed, I'll use rain as an excuse but other times, when I'm actually motivated, I'll go regardless of the weather.

Becky said...

As you know, I really don't run...period. But DEFINITELY not in the rain! You are awesome - and I love that you told yourself you cold do it because you ran a marathon in the rain - so true!

Lisa-Marie said...

Lisa, your strength and resolve are remarkable. It depends on the rain really.If it'slight then yes, but in Scotland it tends to be torrential and accompanied by very strong winds, and in that case, no.

J said...

Great job pushing through and finishing the run. I like to run in the warm rain, not a cold rain. keep up the great work!

Raquelita said...

Nice job on the hill repeats and the 6 miler! I run in the rain, but I do have a fear of running in bad thunderstorms. If I see lightning or hear thunder, it's the treadmill for me.

Allison Blass said...

I don't like to be wet, so the answer is no. But I admire people who do!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Congrats on doing a soggy six! WHEN I was in training for marathons, I didn't mind running in the rain. It was usually during warm months, so it wasn't that big of a deal. Now? If it's cold out, there's no way I'm running in the rain. Oh, who am I kidding. I hate running in the rain and pretty much refuse to do so. ha.

Leigh said...

Awesome job on running your 6 miles in the rain! I probably would have quit, but then again, I could have any type of weather here. Meaning rain, snow, sun, cold!

Nora said...

Way to go on that pace! I will not be that fast at all, but I'll be cheering you on from behind you for sure =)

Amber said...

I tell myself that ALL the time now when I don't want to run in the rain. I just remind myself "you ran 26.2 miles in the rain, you can handle ___ miles". I just ran in the rain last Tuesday for 6 miles. I was also meeting a friend which helped keep me from bailing.

Great job on the pace by the way - your pace is climbing up again really quickly!

crystal said...

Good job, that is really impressive, particularly the hills!

Well, here in Seattle you have to do things in the rain otherwise you will become one of those people who fuse to their couches! So, yes I walk in the rain, usually with all 4 of us (dogs included!) geared up in raincoats :)

Anonymous said...

On Saturday, I took the dog for a walk bright and early (like 7am), and was just getting 2-3 blocks from home when it started POURING! (Thankfully we were almost done when that happened--)

On Sunday, we went for a walk and ended up getting 1 block away from home before it started sprinkling...

I hate walking. I hate running. I hate exercising, in general. But I have a dog, a big dog, and she LOVES to be outside, she LOVES to walk and walk, and walk... so we walk. In the winter, I just don't have the motivation to do it in the snow/wind/cold; and it's easy for me on a rainy day to say "heh- I don't want a wet/muddy dog in the house, so we're not walking...." but that little doggie grin she gets after a walk is just enough to make me want to go (and be a good dog mom, despite the rain!)

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

i do not run/walk in the rain. but then i use any excuse to sit on my tush and eat chocolate. i am not a good influence.

Marlys said...

"You're unning in the rain, just running in the rain"! Remember that song - only it was "walking" in the rain? It just struck me as I read your blog! Proud of your determination!

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

That was really an accomplishment in the rain! It's hard enough for me in dry weather!

qwerkyqook said...

haha. I run back and forth on a hill too, and people give me weird looks. It's actually pretty embarrassing! I love running in the rain, makes me feel like a bad a@* !

Abby said...

I'm proud of you for *runnin' rain or shine'* :)

To be honest, especially since we've moved to the desert....I really enjoy running in the rain. Just because it's cool. And different. HOwever, when I lived in the Midwest, I hated it.

Cheers to getting back in "the groove". Such a great feeling!

Jeanie said...

Wow -- good for you. I would be dicey running in the rain. Six miles is beyond my wildest imagination (actually, running one is.) So hats off to you! What a model you are for us!

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I don't like running in cold rain, if it's still warm out I don't mind. It's been raining here for over a week straight so I basically haven't changed any of my plans- but it's been chilly (until today) so I've moved runs to the treadmill, or perhaps it was only 1 run- I need to get on that!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I prefer to walk/run in the rain! I like that it cools me off, as I easily overheat.

Mandy said...

Good for you for running in the rain! You are such a rock star. Honestly. I don't mind walking the dog if its lightly sprinkling but anything more than that? I'm not a fan.