Weekly Wrap.....September 25th

 So what's been up this week?  We got quite a bit of rain. Instead of recapping my entire week of runs I decided to just focus on this one memorable one!

I haven’t run in almost a week due to work conflicts but I planned on doing a long run on my day off. I heard it was supposed to rain on that day too. My goal was to get out there before it started. We all know I am not a morning person, so getting up just to get my run in was not going to happen.  I slept in like I usually do on my day off and slowly got ready for my run. The plan was to do a longer run, preferably double digits, weather permitting. 


I started out feeling pretty good despite the humidity. I could tell the rain was coming, but I didn’t want to turn around right away so I continued on.  It did start to sprinkle two miles into my run, but I told myself I was good, besides I had my visor on so the rain wouldn’t get into my eyes.  It actually felt refreshing and less humid so I didn’t bother to turn around. Besides, I cannot predict weather race day, so this would be a good training run.   I knew soon that I would be approaching the park where it is tree covered and feeling the rain would be minimal. And that is just what happened. I got about another mile into my run still feeling good, but then I started hearing the rain, it sounded like it was coming down a lot harder than earlier, and it did! All of a sudden it started pouring and what wasn’t wet from my sweat got wet from the rain. My visor was no help at this point since it was coming down in buckets. 
I don't run with my phone but this is a picture I took later on.


I told myself I think now is the time to turn around. I was a bit disappointed because heading back now would only make 8 miles for me. I continued back through the park jumping over puddles and feeling my shoes fill with water. I was listening to a new podcast that was talking about mental toughness. Well if this wasn’t it, what was? This couldn’t have come at a better time.

By the time I was coming out of the park, it started to clear up, the rain stopped and the sun came back out. At first I was mad that I turned around, had I known it wasn’t going to last I could have continued my run. Then I thought, well heck why can’t I? So I decided to take a different route on the sidewalk where it was completely dry. I ran about another mile and then saw a really nice track at a school. 
Well maybe I should stop and do some speed work, since I never incorporate that into my training. And that is just what I did. I jogged the straight away and sprinted the turns. Not sure if this is how other runner incorporate their speed work, but it was working for me and I was feeling the burn. When I was sprinting I would get down to 5:50's.(Of course that was only a 100 yards) So I needed that next 100 yards to catch my breath. I continued this pattern for two more miles. When I was finishing up, I could tell the rain was coming back. It got very dark and windy so I decided to head back and got home just in time before it started pouring again. I finished with 12 miles. I was hoping for a few more, but I like to think it evened out with the speed work I incorporated.
Running in the rain, Yay, or nay?   Tell me about your speed work.  -L

We are linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap!

23 comments:

  1. Wow what a run! A long run WITH speedwork sounds intense ... and in the rain! You had everything working against you and still managed to put in a great run. And that rain looks super intense! I do have to say I like impromptu speedwork and prefer Fartlek's over nearly any other kind because it isn't prescriptive. I'm so type A except when it comes to speedwork apparently :)

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  2. I never do speed work so this was good for me.

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  3. Great run! When In high school we used to do similar workouts like that to get in shape for field hockey. It's easier than measuring distance on a watch! That rain looks pretty crazy!

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  4. It sounds like you got the most out of a rainy day workout! I love running in the rain if there's no lightning and if it's not too heavy. Lately we've had bad lightning in the area so I haven't taken advantage of the rain.

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  5. Well that run had a little bit of everything not just workout wise but weather wise!

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  6. That would've been me today too if I had decided to do my run outside. We got quite the downpour today, with thunder. I don't like running in the rain, and feel like a wet cat if I have to.

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  7. You didn't have a run, you had an adventure! Love it!!

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  8. Sounds like speedwork I've done before. I don't mind running in the rain (when I have a hat). If there's lighting, though, I run back to my house!

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  9. What a fun run that turned out to be. I won't head out if it's really raining, but if the rain catches me on a run it usually doesn't bother me. There are so many different track workouts, and the one you did is one I've done before - it's fun.

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  10. While I will not set out on a run while it is raining, I do enjoy getting caught in the rain while running...there is something so "soul cleansing" about it! Sounds like you had a great unexpected and unplanned 12 miler!

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  11. I spent the greater part of last week preparing for a rain-drenched race today (Sunday)...and it didn't even come close. I was happy to not have rain, but it was very hot! I don't mind an occasional jaunt in the rain...but it usually has to start raining AFTER I've left the house (LOL), and I prefer the temps to actually be warm...cold rain is miserable

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  12. I don't mind running in the rain, as with anything in the rain, the first bit sucks, when you're still not all the way wet. But once you're soaked it just doesn't matter anymore.

    But that was quite the rain you all got, from the looks of the picture!

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    1. Yes it was. Yea, sweat or rain either way I'm still wet.

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  13. I like running in the rain (minus lightning, of course) because it feels like an adventure. I can't believe how much rain you go! That picture is wild. Great job getting more miles and adding speedwork at the end! :)

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    1. Thanks. Glad it didn't start storming and only rained. I was too far away from home.

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  14. That's a lot of water! At least you were able to continue and get 12. The speed work was definitely a bonus. It feels much harder to begin in the rain (as opposed to having it start after you're already running). As long as it's not lightning, I'm OK with getting wet since I'm usually already soaked in sweat. Thanks for linking, Lacey!

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    1. Yes. That run would have never happened if I would have had to start in the rain.

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  15. I never did speed work either until I had Holly help me with a plan this fall. She eased me into intervals first week was 400m x 4 with a fast for me pace. I actually did great! I'll be curious to see just how much this helps me! Thanks for linking up!

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  16. Way to go!! Great job running in the rain and not giving up! And wow, that is a lot of rain by the looks of the pic you took. I enjoy running in the rain as long as it is not a downpour. I agree, it is refreshing!

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  17. Yea it can be. But definitely not in a down pour

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