Running is a beautiful sport and there are countless reasons why I and so many others love doing it. From short bursts of speed to methodically paced and drawn out long runs, running offers so much variety for a sport that provides consistency for so many athletes. Among this plethora of variables is, of course, the weather; that unyielding foe whose wrath or favor affects all runners indiscriminately.
I’ve long been perplexed by those who refuse, or hate, running in the rain. Certainly not all rain is suitable for running – and there are ways around this – but unless you live in the extreme corners of the world, or it happens to be the darkest weeks of winter, rain can be a wonderful change of pace for the runner.
It’s recently become warm enough to run regardless of the weather (though I hope I’m not jinxing it by writing this) where I live. We enjoyed a week or two of beautiful, sunny days, during which running was the obvious choice of activity. The last week or so, however, has been dreary and overcast – the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up on the couch with a good book and a warm drink.
Fortunately, I willed myself to get outside (the rising temperatures helped quite a bit) and get my runs in despite the weather. This is when I remembered that rain, so easily a reason for an impromptu rest day, is, ironically, one of the most enjoyable conditions in which to run. It’s a weird feeling, but charging through the rain makes me giddy and seems to boost my motivation and energy. It reminds me of when I was just starting to run as a kid and my grandpa gave me the very helpful advice to “run between the raindrops.” This seemed to be one of many tricks up his sleeve (he was a 2:40 marathoner back in the ‘70s).
But there’s also something rather primitive about running in the rain. It feels like a return to the roots in some ways, a stripping down of our obsessions with pacing, racing, and heartrate zones. It brings forth images of the ancients hunting antelope on foot through the savannah, or the Tarahumara tribe bounding fifty or a hundred miles at a time through the Copper Canyons of Mexico. It’s a shortcut to the “flow” or runner’s high that one experiences on a long, hard run during which, it seems, it’s just you, the path ahead, and the distance yet to be run.
Of course, not every rainy day run is a transcendental experience, but once I get going I find these runs easier to stay motivated for and more enjoyable than the average workout. I know the rain isn’t for everyone, and I get that different folks have different reasons for avoiding it. But next time you’re tempted to hit the treadmill instead of the road because it’s a little wet out, try to embrace the rain instead of avoiding it. If it’s chilly, throw on an extra layer. If the rain gets in your eyes, try wearing a hat. You might hate it, but you might find a new level of enjoyment in the sport we all love (and sometimes hate).
Are you a rainy run hater or embracer? If you’re not a fan, let us know in the comments and maybe give it another shot on the next rainy day. Otherwise, let us know why you enjoy running in the rain (even if it’s only occasionally).