Know what’s happening this weekend? Ragnar DC and Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon.
Know what else is happening. Rain. Lots of rain. Because Hurricane Joaquin.
I don’t mind running in rain. I don’t even mind torrential downpours. But here’s the thing: I’m volunteering. Yep, 6 hours for Ragnar and 6-8 hours for WW. I’m pretty sure I will have gills by the end, assuming of course the winds don’t blow me away. At least I know how to dress for a rainy volunteer stint. Number 1 rule: If you think you need another layer, you need another layer. Volunteers don’t warm up like runners!
On the sunny side of things, one of my favorite runner friends is coming in for the race. It feels like forever since I last saw Kim, but really it was just in May. Poor girl – Virginia likes to throw weather extremes at her. Pretty soon she’ll refuse to visit me.
In other news, I used the “rescue inhaler” before my run on Wednesday night. Wow! Running with oxygen is kind of an awesome thing! I mean, running 3 half marathons with bronchitis at altitude was pretty badass, but actually being able to catch a full breath while running was a huge improvement. I actually ran 3 miles at a 9:30 pace and didn’t feel like I was going to cough up a lung. I may also have been a bit jittery and hyper, but a good beer from Mad Fox at the end of the run balanced things out.
Speaking of running, I ran 127 miles in September, which was far short of the ~200 I was aiming for. 80 of those miles happened in one week. I swear one of these days I’ll run my *A* race and then NOT immediately fall off the running wagon. I mean, recovery is good, but I seem to take it to the extreme.
This weekend could be interesting. Shoo already had one soccer practice in the pouring rain and it looks like tomorrow might be more of the same. Saturday may be canceled because it’s not on turf. Beer Geek will be prepping the house/yard for the hurricane so as not to have flying lawn chairs. Jones, on the other hand, will be volunteering with me for Ragnar. Yeah, I believe in throwing my kid in the deep end…
I’m linking up with Amanda from Running with Spoons for this random bit of Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
How’s your weekend looking? Is this weather affecting your running plans? (I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that I actually have hurricane as a category for my blog posts LOL)
I’m writing this a lot this morning — hoping the hurricane turns into the Atlantic, but bless you for volunteering (and roping your kid into it). God bless the volunteers.
I may get a bit wet sat morning, but it’s a short run so it won’t be too bad. Too bad it’s our last long run as a group!
Oh wow. This brings back memories of Sandy when I ran MCM. Looks like you have a good raincoat, anyway. Love the cake! Have fun!
Crazy that I’m half way around the world from you (and it’s Thursday night) and we just had a HUGE thunderstorm blow through. Rain is everywhere right now I guess! Hope it clears out for you.
With this crazy forecast maybe it’s a good thing neither one of us can run this time around. I do still have FOMO though
Today’s the first day we’re below 90 so I think fall is here. I use an inhaler too, and if it gives me that jittery feeling, I know it’s old and I need a new one.
I am trying to totally embrace this but not going to lie….the possibility of flash flooding makes me nervous!
I’m not opposed to running in the rain either but volunteering in it? Best of luck to you! I felt terrible for the volunteers at ADK this past weekend and it was just cold, no rain!!!
This weekend is going to be quite interesting. I’m wondering how much rain we’ll wind up getting from Joaquin. Sometimes the weathermen hype everything up and it turns out to be nothing. I wonder which way it’ll be this time around.
Oh man! I would have been miserable in all that rain. It looks like we’re going to get rain here for the next week. bleh.
Eep! You’re a hero for volunteering during a tropical storm. I’ve heard so many people complain about it, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t end up being as bad as they say.
oh man. it’s almost harder to volunteer / spectate in the rain then run because you never warm up. i’m hoping you can stay warm this weekend!
I’m sending sunshine vibes your way. They are lucky to have you volunteering! That Ragnar cake looks almost too good to eat.
I hope the hurricane stays far far away, but I have decided to stay home. Maryland will have to happen another year.
You are amazing to volunteer in this crap. Stay warm and dry. Big hugs from sunny, dry, warm Oregon.
It’s so fantastic that you are volunteering….even in the crap weather that Joaquin is going to bring. Just keep reminding yourself that the race wouldn’t go on without volunteers like you!!!
Lead weights in your shoes might stop you from blowing away. Hope you survive all that inclement weather.
Ha! It’s looking better – today will be super rainy, but then I think things calm down.
Good luck with the hurricane, I am hoping it turns out to sea. I just moved to Florida from Long Island and am worried about all my ny friends!
This morning’s news was promising. Looks like it’s going further out to sea than they thought.
Yes, it looks like Joaquin is on its way….we’ve got pouring rain in Philly apparently not related to the hurricane. I hope you’re not too cold out there! Volunteers are often so unappreciated!
Good news this am – looks like Friday is going to suck, but the rest of the weekend should not be too bad!
I have run a few races in the pouring rain, and I always want to hug the volunteers for sticking it out! And you’re right, as runners, we at least get warm but not so much for the courageous volunteers. So here’s a virtual *hug* from me and the runners for being such a good sport! Have fun out there and take lots of Vitamin C!
I ran my first race a few weeks ago in the rain. It totally messed with me from a mental standpoint. It was a tune up run getting ready for my first half so for me, it was good mental training. But yuck! haha
rain is no fun…..especially if you’re “just” standing in it. At least you won’t have to worry about the hood bouncing off of your head (???) #glasshalffull Thanks for volunteering! All of us runners know that races wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the volunteers 😉