Everyone has that one indulgence in their lives that gives them a sense of escape from the pressures of being someone in society. For some, its chocolate ice cream with sprinkles. Others like to indulge in a corny-love-story-with-a-sappy-ending movie. Smokers, I will even excuse you and allow your addic- indulgence to be yours. For me, its rain; particularly running in the rain. Like the sugar high or relaxation that comes from chocolate ice cream or a cigarette, I get both when I run in the rain. It’s almost as if the rain separates me from every dreary aspect of my life and allows me to be in my favorite solitary state.
I go through many thoughts and feelings when I run in the rain. At first I get excited that a rare day has come that it will rain (born and raised in SoCal, I will face the stereotype and agree that it doesn’t rain as much as in other places). The excitement is shortly overtaken by an uncomfortable feeling. It is always uncomfortable getting wet when you weren’t planning on it or expecting it. That feeling is quickly washed away as I am soaked from head to toe and all I have left to do is to keep running. Finally, I have to get over the fact that people driving by in their heated, dry cars will probably think I am a nut for running in the rain. And from that point on, it’s just me running in the rain.
It finally rained the other day, and I took that to my advantage and, well, I ran. Most people use the rain as an excuse of why they won’t be able to work out. I use it as an excuse to do more. I ran, got drenched, felt like people thought I was crazy, and enjoyed every step of the run. Indulge in your chocolate ice cream if you want to, I am going for a run.