A week ago the weather was gorgeous, warm, sunny, all the things. February Fake Spring had arrived. A few plants knocked out some blooms. Snakes were out. Runners and bikers and hikers and other folks rejoiced. Then, of course, reality returned with more than two days of nonstop rain, temperatures plunging 25-30 degrees and water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Flooding on trails. Gutters running quickly. Yards becoming spongy.
Press pause on those fun bike rides or training sessions. A midday run on the trails? Ehhh, likely akin to the Mountain Mist Mudfest of 2024. Running on sidewalks and streets? Puddles, slick spots, more puddles. Time for the treadmill or thumpa thumpa thumpa Peloton ride with Chirpy Chrissie. Or maybe, perhaps, possibly … you blow off a day or two. Stretch, sure, maybe do some yoga.
Run or ride? In this weather? Why, it’s not perfect! The excuses we make up are fun, aren’t they?
It’s too cold. It’s too hot. It’s too humid.
It’s windy. It’s raining. The sidewalks are wet and slick. The grass is muddy. The trails are slick. The rocks have wet leaves on them.
I don’t have time. I’m not a morning person. I don’t like to exercise at night before bed. I’m too tired.
My doohickey hurts. My legs chafe. My comfortable clothes are dirty. I’m fat and don’t want to wear tights. My doohickey still hurts.
I don’t like to work out around other people. I don’t like gyms. It’s hot in the fitness center. That coach is mean. The only open machine was the stairstep thing I’ve never used. I don’t like free weights.
I worked all day. I’m tired. It’s dark when I get home. I don’t like getting up early.
I don’t want sweat on the floor in the house. I don’t have room for a Peleton or workout area. All that stuff is expensive.
Bravo!
Those are some humdingers. Y’all probably have heard or said some others. I’ve said some of these. It’s easy to do.
It’s easy to come up with them for other things, too. Years ago when our son was on the high school golf team, I encouraged him to go play in the rain. Not pouring, lightning-crashing rain, but the kind of drizzle that is enough to require a rainsuit, umbrella over the bag and be uncomfortable.
Why? Because someday you might have to play a tournament in that kind of weather. Or cold conditions with bulky clothes. Or the hot, humid summer heat. The latter is easy, no? Shorts and sweat and you go play. But adding winter clothes? Or putting on a rainsuit and learning to play with wet grips and a ball not rolling well on the greens? Tougher to make yourself do those things. Guess what? He played in rainy conditions with a rainsuit and slick grips and yuck. Also in winter. Didn’t play as well in them.
Years ago in another life when I covered professional bass fishing (yes, it’s a thing), I asked a couple of pro anglers if they practice in the rain. Of course, they said. We can’t just load up and quit if we’re in a tournament, so you practice in it. That gave them insights on how their rain suits fit, how their rod grips felt in the rain, all the things. Lightning? No, you don’t do that. You find shelter or get the hell off the lake. But cold or rainy conditions? You go practice.
During a big summer tournament one year, I asked a top angler about the heat and humidity. He said he loved hearing other guys complaining about it.
“I know if they’re miserable and complaining, they’re not focused on winning,” he said. “It’s hot and humid for everyone. The complainers are just the ones I can cross of the list before we even get started.”
Bike and Run?
Biking and running in the rain or terrible weather sucks. It’s not always fun.
But if you’re waiting on perfect weather for anything, what happens on race day when the weather is crappy? You wake up on Saturday morning and the 10-15% chance of rain has become 75% with falling temps.
Do you stay in bed? That’s the comfy option. If you decide to go knock it out, if you haven’t tried your Crappy Weather Gear then you may be at a disadvantage. The cuffs on the lightweight jacket, for example, might not keep water from running to your elbows. Or the hood is oversized and constantly slides back.
But if you’ve sucked it up to run or ride in the rain, cold or heat, you’ll know what’s up. You can look around at the starting line and think, “Yep, I got him and him and her and those two and them and …” Your confidence might go up a few notches. You might even have one of your best days, because you’re accustomed to the schmutz and crappy conditions, when the others aren’t.
Bikers, I feel your pain when the roads are slick. That sucks. And trail bikers, well, they’re good about not getting on muddy trails until they dry. Slipping and sliding on two tires isn’t fun. But, if you can get out safely to ride, knock it out. Wear bright clothes and lights, be visible, and enjoy.
Runners, don’t wait for the perfect conditions. You don’t want to get out in lightning, or when you have to slog through shin-deep puddles. But if it’s rainy and a little puddly, splash on through. Skin dries. Dress accordingly, plan to let your shoes dry and toodle on.
