Running in the Rain

I have decided I actually really like running in the rain, which works out nicely in the Northwest. It's a great way to cool down, and the air feels so fresh and clean. Of course, you have to treat a rainy run a little bit differently than a dry one. I'm learning more and more on each run. There really is no reason for you to not enjoy your wet, Seattle runs.. you just have to follow a few easy steps!

1. Wear a hat. It's pretty important to be able to see while you are running. In fact, I'd almost say it's crucial. Grab a visor or one of those fancy hats with all of the little holes on the top, so your head doesn't overheat.

2. Bring a hanky. I can't be the only one who gets a runny nose everytime I run in junky weather. Frankly, when it's windy outside, the oh-so-fun snot rocket can have an ugly outcome.

3. Wear a jacket. Now, by "jacket" I don't mean your wool pea coat, nor am I implying you should wear your big, yellow rain slicker. Get yourself a nice, light, waterproof coat. The idea behind the jacket phenomenon is to keep your upper half less wet, and it might even protect your Ipod.

4. Stay as far away from the traffic on the roads as possible. I learned this first-hand the other night. A hard-working truck driver thought it might brighten his day to drive through a huge puddle.. and splash the poor, unsuspecting runner on the side of the road. That runner still had over two miles until she reached home, and nearly froze to death.

5. Wear your bright colors and reflective gear. Obviously it's hard for drivers to see us in the dark, but in the dark and rain, it's nearly impossible. This is another one I had to learn by trial and error. My friend, Lisa and I were on a run and were crossing (in a lit-up cross walk, mind you) and were almost slammed into by a pizza delivery driver. Luckily, I panicked and pushed Lisa a little bit (to give myself some more speed obviously) and her pink water bottle went flying into the air, allowing the punk to see us and promptly hit his brakes. Sorry about that, Lisa.

I'm sure I will learn more about running in the rain, and I'm sure you all have some wonderful tips to share. So share! Share away! Happy wet running!