I think I have a problem, Modern Philosophers.
Let me clarify that.
I think I have a new problem in addition to the myriad of problems that already make me wildly unique.
Are you with me now?
I stepped out of The House on the Hill this morning and into a torrential downpour. So I could go for a run.
Yes, that’s crazy, but it’s not even the start of it.
Let’s rewind to yesterday…
I woke up early yesterday to run before work. I was thrilled to discover it was 67 degrees at 5:30, which is about 37 degrees above normal for Maine this time of year.
I ditched my sweatpants, and hit the road in shorts. Might as well let my long, sexy runner’s legs be free one last time before winter arrives.
About five minutes into my run, I was caught in a monsoon. The rain came out of nowhere, the wind was strong enough to send me on a one way trip to Oz, and the dark, empty streets quickly filled with standing water.
My first, and only sane thought of the morning, was to turn around and head home.
Then I remembered that we had just started a Wellness Challenge at work, and I had vowed to collect at least 20,000 steps a day to lead my team to victory.
You can’t get 20,000 steps if you turn around like a precious little sugar plum and hide from the rain. Plus, you can’t guilt your teammates into walking in the rain if you don’t have this crazy “running in a monsoon” story to use on them.
So I kept running. I was already absolutely drenched, so what harm was some more rain going to do?
I ran like a dedicated fitness buff until I stepped in a puddle that was more than ankle deep and I felt a fish swim past my calf.
At that point, I said “#$%^ this!” and headed back to The House on the Hill.
Like a good captain, I used my “reject running in the rain” story to inspire my team into action once I got to work.
Here is a photo of Original Goat Girl out for a walk. OGG doubled up on the umbrella coverage because it was pouring and the wind was out of control.
As you can see, her second umbrella did not fare very well against Mother Nature’s onslaught, but you’d better believe we got in our 1,500 steps during our break.
Eagle eyed readers might notice that OGG is preggers. Yes, I made my pregnant friend walk in a storm!
Like I said earlier, I think I have a problem.
This morning, it was raining cats, dogs, lions, tigers, and bears when I awakened. I just shrugged it off and dressed for my run.
A few things went into that decision.
Once again, I wanted to hit my goal of 20,000 steps for the Wellness Competition.
Winter is coming, and I’m worried that once the snow starts to fall and temperatures plummet, I will give up on my running program and balloon up to Fat Boy status faster than Snow Miser can carpet bomb Maine with a blizzard. So I didn’t want to let a little rain keep me from getting in my run.
Years of testing have proven that I do not melt in the rain, so what true excuse did I have to bail on my run?
Finally, I was already awake at 5:30. If I didn’t go today, I’d have to get up tomorrow at the same time to run. I did not want to lose out on sleeping in on Friday morning.
So I ran.
And, sweet Noah, did I get drenched!
I can still hear the rain dripping off my bones, and I honestly don’t know if my sneakers will ever be dry again.
But I’m over 21,000 steps for the day, and I feel like a sopping wet bad ass.
Every runner has a story to tell, and mine seems to be about how I’m too stupid to come in out of the rain.
So what do you think, Modern Philosophers? Use the poll below to let me know your Deep Thoughts on this one…
The Return of the Modern Philosopher 