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March 28, 2016
Each morning I look out the window and check the weather app on my phone to see what kind of layers will be necessary for the morning miles. Somehow yesterday I must have missed the little rainy-cloud emblem under the 38-degree temperature and I committed to some thin tights, a half-zip top. In a mile or two the body would warm up enough to be comfortable. Had I known what was coming, I would have prepared differently.
As I hit the road the thick cloud cover made the morning easy on my still-awakening eyes. The road was dry but there was a distinct dampness to the air. Thinking nothing of it, my shoes clomped the pavement with each step. Wednesday’s long run left my legs a little beat up and the dim morning light made me feel sluggish so the mist felt refreshing.
By mile 1 a drizzle began and the top I’d chosen isn’t ideal in wet conditions, so my chest and shoulders began to saturate. It felt as though the temperature began dropping a little, or it could have been just the wetness soaking through. On the far end of my loop on a road with no tree cover, the clouds gave way to a sudden downpour. With no hat or visor to protect my eyes, my brows furrowed. The chilly rain stung my face, plastering my hair down.
The corner of my mouth gave a smirk and thought, “I didn’t expect this morning to be so beautiful.”
Growing up, my parents encouraged me to be an active kid. My hometown’s recreation department had the classic soccer, basketball, and little league baseball programs year round that were all I’d look forward to each day. Some of my most cherished memories are from this bliss-free time in life.
One of my favorite memories that has shaped so much of who I am today happened on an overcast October day. It was gloomy and a light rain speckled the window as I got dressed for my soccer game. I’d been counting the hours until the game all day –all week, even! Now as it was approaching I realized how drenched and cold I’d be getting and frustration set in. My dad could tell that I was bummed about the conditions and sat me down.
“How often do you get to play in the rain?” he asked.
I bit the inside of my cheek and shrugged.
“Exactly!” His face lit up, catching me off guard. My dad explained that because you almost never get to play in the rain, it’s special. It’s exciting! It’s like eating your favorite dessert or getting to stay up past your bedtime.
The words that followed will forever be etched into my mind. My father said, “You’ll play your best game in the rain.” My eyes grew wide and a sudden burst of adrenaline pushed through my veins.
Especially in New England, we can expect some unpredictable weather. Since childhood, I always remember having some of the most fun games and races of my athletic career in terrible conditions also with some of the best results. My sister even makes the joke from time to time, “too bad it’s not going to rain. You’re best in the rain and mud. Remember the North Face Cake Walk weekend?” Her reference is to my first trail race, the North Face Endurance Challenge 50k just outside San Francisco. We ran in torrential conditions through rivers of mud. The announcer started the race by saying something like; “If you're still trying to keep your feet dry, remember you didn't sign up for the North Face Cake Walk... this is the North Face Endurance Challenge Championship!”
That announcer was totally right! We did need that little bit of a shakeup to the routine! We all need a little more discomfort in our lives. It’s the rain and the wind that make us tough. It’s been said that a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. I don’t know where this proverb derives from, but whoever said it sure has a great way to capture the essence of how we become the best version of ourselves. Besides, we wouldn’t be runners if our courage weren’t tested from time to time?
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