Hi there everybody. What's up? My name is Rain. And I'm convinced .... that runners hate me. Days like these, I just want to go out and hang around. This is my time of the year. Do you realize how booooring it could be when my good-for-nothing sister dominates the scene? You know, Summer? She thinks she's sooooooo hot. Well, uh, um, I have to agree. She thinks she's all that. But I've seen people around these parts. They hate her. Curse her very presence in the vernacular. ( sample : !@#$ ang init sa Pilipinas!) Promise! But enough about her. This is my time, and I revel in bringing smiles to the denizens of this metropolis. See those kids jumping up and down the street? They like me! See those little men in weird hats in the fields? They thrown parties when I get here! I even see movie stars dance for me in one of them box-office blockbusters. Boy that was a riot. Sarah Geronimo is so cute. Sigh. It feels so good to be loved.
Would have been perfect. Save for one group I can't seem to get a grip on. Runners. They abhor my very presence. I don't even know what I did wrong. I'll give you guys an example. It's a wonderful Tuesday afternoon, and I'm just going out for a walk. My perfect day is ruined by this dude in shorts waaay tooo short and a watch waaay to big for his own good. Why the forlorn look? He looks so crabby. Whiny even. Ohhh. Must be a runner. Oh. I know this guy. He works in that place where there are a lot of young people. He wears those long flowing things that look like curtains. Wears a cap everytime he runs. Maybe because his hair is horrible. Maybe he just likes to hide his face. Hmph. But yeah. He hates me. He's grumbling to what looks like a big fat cat. Oh, it's a dog. A big fat dog. Geez what do they feed this thing. My bad. No wonder they're called man's best friend. They just keep on listening. Hmm. Anyway, this dude wants to run, but he doesn't like me around. He looks so... down. Check him out... I'm convinced.....
Looks pretty down eh? And of course the blame goes all back to me. He whines. He whines because his clothes are drenched, because his socks in his fancy gait-analyzed shoes would get wet. He sardonically thanks the gods for his good fortune. Hmph. I hope his watch breaks down. He runs along as I observe. He steps unto a puddle , !@#$ is what you hear. This guy needs to get out more. He is putting his hands behind his back so that his fancy watch won't get wet. Like it won't. Read the manual buddy! IPX7! Submersible! 1 meter! Even I know that! He runs into this really fast dude. I see him all the time as well, seems to be from around here. I mean, he is fast. So they run together, he manages to keep up for like 2k, then really fast dude is gone. Guess what? He blames me for not being able to keep up! Runners.
Oh the horror! The nerve! That really upset me. Upset me to the point that I cried so hard. No one has maltreated me like that. Ever! I cried my heart out because I didn't even do anything. *Sob* Then something unbelievably incredible happened. Mr. evil runner guy, in solitary mode because the fast bald dude made him eat dust, suddenly smiled amidst my sorrow. That took me by surprise. I could almost hear his thoughts as his soaked persona glided through the drenched alleyways of his favorite training jaunt.......
Yeah. Why did I even do this. Stupid Rain. I will be sooo sick later. The Garmin's probably messed up. I am completely drenched. My socks feel gross. Dang I really had to catch Javy aka Tri'n Hard on tempo run/fartlek day. He's on a totally different level. And because of the rain, my projected 20k mileage builder turned into a 7k race pace run. I'm exhausted. Out of shape. It's the rain's fault. Should have done the Sarah/John Lloyd rain dance. Since Sunday. It won't go away. Had to cancel all my runs. I'll get sick eh. Daw. At least that's what the old people said. But you know what? This is actually..... fun! I feel like a kid again. It's so cold. I feel so relaxed. Why am I so scared about getting sick? It's just water anyway. The old folks just like to scare you I guess. But hey, I am genuinely enjoying this .
Everyone is running for cover and they're all looking at me like I'm some crazy lunatic but hey, I don't care. This is strangely... therapeutic...... I never realized. You see a microcosm of the metropolis - the hustle going yin/yang against the bustle of our mundane lives, all seemingly frozen in time as a virtual snapshot is encapusulated in a single raindrop. Awesome.Everything seems to be moving in slow motion amidst the deluge. I am in conplete control, freedom of movement married to a psyche completely bereft of any negativity at that precise moment. I feel.... alive.
Sigh. Just when I had counted him out. People. I could never figure them out.
My name is Rain. And I'm convinced......
That runners don't hate me after all.
bwehehehehe... don't blame the rain pare! takbo lang. =)
since i started running, i've never been really sick (flu, cough, colds, etc.). seems like it upped my defense mech or something. even if my wife gets sick, i never get hawa (sossy!).
Hehe nice one Luis!
At least Javy was with you for a couple of kms. I was the only one nuts to run at Salcedo Park when it was raining cats and dogs. Thats what I get for leaving the office before 6pm :-) It was so bad that I wished I had brought my swim goggles. Lo and behold, as I was cooling down after an hour and a half of running in the downpour, the rain stops. Im sure all those people in the condos were all mocking me :-)
I say to Rain and to all of them, bring it on!
But if Rain's brings his bruise brother Flood, i admit i'll washout in shame. :-(
Rod, I agree ever since I started running, my immune system has been soooo much better :) Hehe I am rain kinda guy now :)
Hey Bong! Yeah it was so bad man, horrible! My phone was in my hyrdo belt, I think the speakers got busted and it isn't charging properly until now. Hehe don't mind those shmucks, we'll live longer than them hahaa.
I don't like bruise brother Flood at all, he's the dark sheep of the family :)
Hey Luis,
I like rain, Neil and I ran this morning, Rain didn't stop us. Don't "blame it on the rain"! He might cry harder. BongZ is right, he's better than his brother, Flood, and much much better than his cousin Tornado or nephew Storm or...
As always, I'm entertained.
Thanks! =)
running in the rain is good and refreshing. just be sure to take a warm bath immediately after the run and wear cotton clothes. drink your gatorade after your shower. nice post!
Whoops! Sayang, had you hung around, you probably would have gone the distance :)
Next time ulit :)
Dear Luis - Try going to Ultra on a week day at 4:30am people there just love running in the rain.
nice post (again):)
I am beginning to like you, Rain. You made me and my husband run with you this afternoon... and you were pretty cooperative!:)
very very fun read! :D still, though, I like the sister, Summer, better :P
Dear Mr. Rain,
That's not entirely true. Not all runners hate you. Your H20 conducts heat a lot better than air. That's why we pour water on our heads during the race when it's awefully hot. With lower body temperatures, we could push ourselves to run faster and farther without overheating. That's why I'm praying you'll come this 33rd Milo Marathon, so we could have faster PR's :-)
Natz
Hehe nice Boss Rix, I really should have come along with you guys during that Mckinley Hills run of yours when it was raining :) I'm a convert now hahahaha. Will it rain tom night? Hmm......
Hey Rach, that's great! We ran once in the rain two, it's like an intimate running bonding experience that takes on a greater meaning when couples engage in it :)
Glad you liked it, I try hahahaa :)
Thank you for the inputs Sir Jovie, a nice warm shower always hits the spot specially when we're drenched :) Although I still get scared when the folks here at home say I'll get sick. Thank you for dropping by and glad you liked it sir!
Hey Javy! I think I got winded when I attempted to chase you , you were so far out that by the time that I actually got to you, I was gassed, THEN we had to do sub-5 pacing haha. My 305 read that for the 2 km that I paced with you we went 4:48 and 5:03. Next time! Hopefully I catch you on easy run day hahaha :)
Hi Sir Amado! I will try sir, although I'm shy to go there hehe :)Thank you for stopping by! :)
Hi Lorena! Thank you so much for the kind words, I really try to come up with fun material for you guys to munch on and share with your friends :) Hey glad that you and your hubby were able to run with Rain! He's our friend now :)
Hi Doc Iris thanks so much! So I reckon you're not a rain kinda gal eh? :) *hears some spectral being grumble in the background*
I like running in the rain while singing =D ... tried this twice and it so refreshing (malamang!!) I didn't feel tired coz all i was thinking was good old childhood memories! Luis blame it on the rain when it floods haha and we don't have roads to run! apir!
I love running in the rain...though its a different story when there is lightning involved. :)
Juls, that's nice to hear! Childhood memories flooding back :) Ako din, I'm suddenly a fan hahaha :)
Hey Mond, I agree lightning is scary. Now that... I'm not a fan hahaha :)
Last year's Milo 42k was indeed a marathon with heavy rains and a typhoon and the first 15k was indeed a chilly race. I have only minimal blisters and able to finish it inspite of running in the rain for several hours.
Nice post Luis.
God bless.
Very fun read. I'm a running in the rain person too! =)
Thank you Sir Ronnie, indeed I heard that last year's Milo Marathon was the subject of heavy rains. Glad that you persevered through it. Must have been quite the experience. I am gradually starting to appreciate the joys of running in the year, the best one being no heat! :) Thank you for dropping by sir, glad you liked it!
Hey Janine! I am now too hahaha :) Thanks for the kind words, I'll come up with new material soon. I just came from vacation, took a break from the madness :)Take it easy and nice work on the action figure :)
Greetings!
WE have read your web log and it has provided us sufficient input about a runner's motivation and social life.
You have quite a fascinating lifestyle Mr. Gingerbread Man.
Run Strong and Prosper.
http://runcollective.blogspot.com/
Thanks my alien friends. :) Although I really believe that the weather disturbance has affected your time-bending powers, you posted on an earlier thread :) Hey, check out my latest post, you guys have a cameo.
A helpful tip: drink lots of vitamin C. Swine flu is in the rain.
Eeek we don't like swine flu!