I didn’t mention one thing about Saturday’s run; for the last half mile two dogs joined in on the fun. One is our next-door neighbour’s little puppy called Puppsy, the other one is a big black dog that nobody seems to know who he belongs to, but he’s very friendly, well behaved and well fed, so someone must be looking after him. Anyway, shortly after I left for Sunday’s easy 5-miler they showed up again. They must have caught the running bug. The bigger one gave up after a mile or so, but Puppsy kept going on his (or her?) tiny legs for the whole duration. I didn’t mind company, but would have preferred someone without the tendency to run right in front or right behind me. I nearly tripped once or twice, but we both got home in one piece. I don’t expect the same entourage for the many winter runs in total darkness that are just around the corner though.
The weather was quite nice on Saturday, I just got caught by a few raindrops that didn’t really bother me, but I guess they kept my sequence going. But two or three hours after my run the weather turned seriously nasty again, and it still hasn’t stopped raining in buckets by now, about 30 hours later. I had opted for the water witch loop again, but this time without the shortcut through the mud track. Have you ever tried running up a steep slope with the wind howling straight into your face? It’s like one of those nightmares where you run and run and don’t make any progress. When I finally managed to crest the hill the road became a bit more sheltered, which stopped the wind from blowing me down the slopes. I managed to get home in one piece and soaked to the bones, which prompted Niamh to greet me with “I think you’re completely mad to go running in this weather”. “So do I”. But you know what? I love it really.
Nov 26: 5 miles, 45:03, 9:00 pace, avg. HR 149
Nov 27: 6.8 miles, 57:14, 8:25 pace, vg. HR 157
Weekly mileage: 43
Consecutive days in the rain: 14
“I think you’re completely mad to go running in this weather” is, at least, somewhat better than the alternative,“I think you’re completely mad to go running.”
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they were friendly dogs else your HR readings might have been higher! I love running in the rain - it's the getting started in the rain part that is challenging for me. I can't believe you've had so many consecutive rain days.
ReplyDeleteWell, we've had a nice break from the rain today - parts of it have been sunny and cold, then cloudy and cold, then snow flurries and cold. But no rain!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the dog story. I ran my first 5k in a local race for dogs/owners - I ran without a dog but tripped over a few poodles and got run over by some great danes. I barely made it out. I guess it is better than running with bulls.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to learn to love running in the rain. If the weather is not too cold and the wind isn't howling... it isn't too bad. With winter coming on and months of rain ahead of me... I am looking fo any rain running tips I can get. =) Best to you and yours... nice Blog.
ReplyDeleteI love running in the rain. I used to enjoy cold and snow also, but as I've aged, I've grown less tolerant of the snow. Well, in Rochester, I'd better get used to it again.
ReplyDeletehow cute, running with puppsy!
ReplyDeleteand that weather, wow! it's a good thing you like it :)
Well, as the famous song: you'll never walk alone!
ReplyDeleteI watched on TV the Irish rugby team: you are great! The O'migos rule. Congratulations.
Our new puppy runs under our feet even at home, I am not sure how I am supposed to run with him later:)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the weather here last 2 days, clear, cold and light snow...
We have been so lucky with our weather-wish I could send you some sun. You are a real runner to hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a running pal. We have Husky, he way too old now (15 hynab yrs) and summer would not be good for the Husky. I usually come to a halt if a dog runs up to me and move very slowly until I know I'm in the clear.
ReplyDeleteRunning with untrained dogs is difficult. You never know what they'll do. I've got mine trained to the point where he'll stay on my left side, unless he get's scared and then he runs behind me or over to the left so I''ll protect him.
ReplyDeleteRuning in the rain can be fun if the weather is nice eneough; however, things can get a bit dicey in Ireland this time of year.