Even though it was dreary, the cooler weather was a nice change. I've been running in 75-85 degree weather, and this afternoon it was a breezy 60 degrees. I even had to wear my arm warmers with my t-shirt and running shorts.
Uh-oh.
As I finished out my first half-mile, it hit. The rain. The drizzly, cold, wet rain. Ahhhh! This sucks! I readjusted my iPod and tucked it into an interior pocket of my shorts. I had already lost one iPod to a drenching, I didn't want to make this number two. The rain started coming down harder, but at least the wind was at my back. I ran past the high school and noticed the marching band outside practicing. Hey...they’re out stomping around playing instruments in this crud…at least I just get to listen to the music, and not actually have to play it! By now, I was pretty much soaked. Sudden realization: Oh Joy. I wore a white t-shirt. Hey all you drivers! Enjoy the show! (Ugh.) Could this run get any suckier?
Because I had to change my planned route at the last minute, I had to incorporate a weird turnaround before I continued on. I hit that point, looped back around and found myself running into what felt like the strongest wind ever! The rain was pelting me and it hurt...stung was more like it. Grrrr. Stupid, sucky run. I actually had to turn my head to the left and slightly down in order to keep pushing through. I ran past the high school, again. Ahhh...the band had given up. They were huddled under tents. Lucky bastards. I forged onward, completely soaked, with water dripping down in front of my eyes. The cold, stinging rain was miserable. Forget this! I am dedicated, but not stupid! I’m going to cut this 5 miles short and make it 2.5. That’s when music, once again, inspired me.
The Ska-inspired beat of No Doubt’s “Settle Down” came through my earbuds and I heard the awesome Gwen Stefani tell me, “Get get get in line, and settle down; Get in line, and settle down; I'm a rough and tough; I'm a rough and tough; And nothing's gonna knock this girl down.” Damn straight nothin’s gonna knock me down! Screw it. I’m already drenched, I have to get the miles in one way or another… I may as well stick out this crappy run. Besides, I had no idea what kind of weather I’d have to endure when I run the half in October. May as well be prepared for anything, right?
By the time I hit the 2.5 mile point, the rain was letting up and the sun was actually beginning to shine. When I hit mile 3, the rain had completely stopped and I was still feeling strong. Whoa. The cooling rain and cooler weather was really having a positive impact on my run. I kept running. As I was finally heading into mile five I thought to myself, “This is it. Heading home.” It’s my favorite part of any run. I couldn’t believe how strong I felt. I ran through freezing, pelting rain and 15-mile-an-hour winds and now the sun was shining, (and although still soaked), I felt great!
I felt even better when I heard the next song on my iPod: “Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris. It’s driving beat kept me moving and the words held several meanings for me in these last minutes of my run. (Three, to be exact.)
I feel so close to you right now, it's a force field
I wear my heart upon my sleeve, like a big deal
Your love pours down on me, surrounds me like a waterfall
And there's no stopping us right now I feel so close to you right now
And there's no stopping us right now
My mind wanders a lot while I run. I often think of people, places, stories, things I have to do… the list is endless… but lately, on my runs, my thoughts have drifted to a friend I lost; Not through death, but through circumstance. The song made my thoughts drift to this lost friendship and, although sad, I also felt strengthened because there was nothing to regret. Happy memories flooded my mind and I smiled, even though I still felt the loss. Secondly, my favorite local band covered this song when friends and I went out dancing recently…more happy memories to lift my spirit. But, most importantly, it made me realize how close I was to the end of my run and that nothing was going to stop me…Not a crappy mood, not rain, not wind, not exhaustion. I ran faster. I pushed harder. There was no stopping me right now.
I finished my 5-mile run in 50 minutes and 51 seconds. HOLY CRAP! (That’s a 10:10 per mile pace!) I was so thrilled with my finish time. I haven’t had a good run like that in weeks…and to think, I almost didn’t do it! What an awesome do-over for me. Running always offers a chance for redemption.
This run was a perfect example of how life can give you lemons and then it can magically turn into lemonade. I was in a completely sour mood, ran through horrible weather and wanted to quit before I even began…
I’m glad I didn’t.
And, just so you all can groove along to what I ran my last half-mile to...Please enjoy a little Calvin Harris in your day by clicking the link below. :) *Oh, and click the FB like button at the end of this post if you enjoyed the read!
http://youtu.be/AEh3zEMYKzA