So I’m sitting here in my running gear….on the sofa….blogging. As in, not running. Don’t worry, I won’t post a photo. Why aren’t you running, I hear you cry? Well, I fully intended to. In fact, I should be about two miles into a nine mile run as I write this. That was the plan. Then the heavens opened. As in, cats and dogs, torrential downpour opened. If I had set off five minutes earlier I would have been utterly drenched.
So here I am, looking forlornly out the window as the deluge shows no sign of abating. Maybe it’s on for the day or possibly it might ease off any minute. This is Northern Ireland, after all. We are the masters of four seasons in one day. It could be snowing by lunchtime, or I could be in my shorts, catching some rays. We are permanently confused when it comes to dressing for the weather.
I get very anxious before I run, much as I get very anxious before I do anything. Despite having done so thousands of times before. At present, the anxiety is cranking up to an unprecedented level. Part of me wants to call it a day and get back into my Daddy Pig pyjama bottoms and Nirvana ‘smiley face’ hoodie. Yes, I’ve just typed that. Not many middle aged men can carry off that look. I’m just a natural, I guess.
This also reminds me of childhood summer holidays when I scanned the horizon for the slightest chink of blue sky amidst the storm clouds. We would will the good weather to settle over our play park so we could grab a few precious hours playing football or cricket. Before the next rattle of thunder would send us scurrying for cover, laden down with stumps and impromptu goalposts.
I’ve been caught out in the rain many times, while running. Sometimes it is a welcome, refreshing drizzle, at other times you have to take cover under the nearest tree, such is the severity of the squall. On other occasions you just have to grit your teeth and trudge through the puddles, muttering and mumbling about how much you hate life. That evaporates, however, at the sense of achievement when you finish the ordeal.
The downpour is easing off slightly. I am dogged with indecision. Should I chance it, and hope I make it without getting soaked to the skin. Perhaps play it safe and opt for a shorter route. Or be ultra cautious and abandon my running plans for the day only to mope around the house worrying about weight gain for the remainder of the bank holiday. Oh, decisions, decisions. What a pickle.
Decisions are part of life. My employers pay me a not insignificant amount of money every month to do so. Yet, when it comes to extracurricular choices I’m nowhere near as clear and confident in my choices. Instead I’ll sit here and fret some more. Possibly write another paragraph. Then check my Twitter and Facebook accounts. I also have household chores to attend to. There aren’t enough hours in the day sometimes.
Okay, I’m doing it. The second the clouds clear. That could be in five minutes time. Or five hours. But either way, I’m not going to let Mother Nature get the better of me. I could return with sunstroke or pneumonia, that’s the way the cookie crumbles in this crazy part of the world. Wish me luck, WordPress. In the famous last words of Captain Oates….I’m going out, I may be some time.
Black Thoughts 
I hope you got in an awesome run!
I don’t mind running in the rain as long as it’s not an electrical storm (because who wants to get hit by lightning?), and as long as it’s not too windy because trees boughs overhang our roads. On a longer run in the rain my shoes get heavy with water, I guess that’s a downside, and chafing is worse, but I like the cooling effect of rain during exercise. No sunburns in the rain, either.
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Yes, 9.2 miles. I got soaked but it was worth it 😊
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Sounds like my thought process for about a half dozen spring runs this year. In May the score is rain 2 and me 2 for the questionable days when I took to the streets. Twice I got quite wet, somehow I found the joy in one of those. The temperature and fact that my destination was a swimming pool where the goal was total immersion played a role in my positive outlook. I hope, for you, that it was a joyous run, full of positive thoughts and physical victory. Time for me to go, my bike awaits.
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Yes, Denny. I got soaked but it’s done. Hope the bike ride went well.
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The key is to not site down. Once you get your running clothes on, leave the house in 30 seconds. Tie your laces outside.
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9.2 miles later 🏃🏻♂️
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I love your honesty. I can totally relate
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Thank you very much 😊
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I enjoyed reading about your trials and tribulations grappling with anxiety and indecision. Indecisiveness seems to amp up my anxiety. Thanks for posting! Blessings.
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You’re welcome. Thank you for reading 🙂
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I’ve learned to embrace adversity to overcome anxiety. I think about what’s the worst that can happen when I run in inclement weather, provided I’m not running in the woods when lightning strikes. I will be soaked to the skin. It’s uncomfortable in wet running clothes. Then I think about the accomplishment after I return home, shower and put on dry clothes. I won! I did it! I can build on that and think about other things I can attempt to do. I know, easier said than done, but it’s worth a try next time.
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That’s a great mentality to adopt. Thank you 😊
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Your determination and grit are an inspiration. What I mean is you so cleverly articulate the anxious conversations that I have with myself sometimes. (I’m sorry yours are all the time. )
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Thank you Ruth 🙂
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Thank you for following me
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You’re welcome 😊
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Good on you for going. I’m a runner but a few years ago life slammed into me, and I lost my verve. I’ve lately been trying to push myself to start again. I have always told myself – I always regret it when I don’t run, but I never regret it when I do. I miss running, miss feeling – and being healthy, miss accomplishing an important, healthy process, miss the challenge. I know what effort running can take, the physical and mental fortitude. So again I say, good on you. You are dedicated and I so admire that.
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Thank you. I really hope you get back into it again and recapture the buzz 🙂
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I fret every Tuesday, on pull-up day. But I tell myself the adrenaline helps me do more reps. 🙂
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How many can you do now?
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I use an assistance band, like a giant rubber band, looped over the bar and under my feet…with that I can do about 4 sets of 8. Shae has graduated out of the band for her first couple of sets. She is small but mighty!
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Wow. Impressive work ladies 💪🏻
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