One of the things that I love about running is that you can do it almost anywhere, at any time, under any conditions. In the past four years, I have run in temperatures over 90 degrees and below zero. I have run under clear blue skies and in the pouring rain and in feet of snow. If I have the right gear, nothing is going to stop me from finishing my run.
Well, nothing but thunderstorms.
I 100% absolutely refuse to run during a thunderstorm. And my paranoia is quite extreme. All it takes to stop me in my tracks is the sound of thunder off in the distance. If I wake up for my run and hear thunder, I get back in bed. Not even being en route to meet my posse is enough to keep me from crawling back into bed. In fact, I've driven halfway to a run and then returned home after seeing a single bolt of lightning.
I'm a chicken. A chicken who doesn't want to be a fried chicken.
On most days, this "no thunderstorm" rule I have applied doesn't really affect my running. If I miss my morning run with GBA, I just make it up that evening on my treadmill. Or if I'm lucky, outside when J gets home. But, today, for the first time that I can remember, a thunderstorm has tripped me up.
When I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to meet the posse for eight miles, the thunder was so loud it shook the house. I knew I had zero time to run later, so I tried to convince myself to go. But all I kept thinking was, "J will kill me if the thunderstorm doesn't." So, I stayed in bed.
And then I regretted it. I have mandatory orientation for Doodle's school tonight at 7 - right when I would normally "make up" my run. Crap.
I started thinking, "What about during the day?" Two kids, a double stroller and rain/thunderstorms all day. Not a chance. Double crap.
Then, it hit me. I would run one mile at a time, whenever I could squeeze it in. A mile while the girls have a picnic lunch next to the treadmill? Sure. A mile immediately after and before potty training sessions with Dilly? Why not. Bribing my children with chocolate so that I can grab 9 minutes for a run? No shame in that.
As of 9 a.m., I've finished three miles, thanks in large part to the fact that J stuck around a few extra minutes this morning, so that I could. I'm not really sure how this is all going to play out, but I am confident in saying that it won't be easy, but at least I won't be a fried chicken ...
23 comments:
CO does not lead the nation in lightning strikes, but we're way up there in lightning DEATHS. Why? We're all outside doing outdoor things when crazy storms roll up. I am with you on this one. And I'm sure you'll make it up.
Wow! You are the ultimate time-manager...I bow down to you, my friend.
A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do...
I did speedwork one time by running as fast as I could for a half mile, stopping the treadmill, checking on the kids, then going back down and doing another half as fast as I could. Repeat until total mileage hit 5 miles. It was an awesome workout LOL.
Nice work mama - I have snuck in bits of runs around my kids' nap schedules too... hey, we're nothing if not resourceful!
By the way, I LOVE running in thunderstorms, so if I get struck by lightening, you can totally say "I told you so!" :)
I'm with you. I'll run in almost any weather and any temperature, but thunderstorms, nope. I'm afraid of the lightening and afraid of the hail.
Good luck getting it in! A bit of strategic tv viewing for the kids can sometimes help as well...
I'm quite impressed with the mile-by-mile strategy! However, knowing you it shouldn't be that much of a surprise; you're amazing at time management, so I have no doubt you'll fit it all in.
I, on the other hand, am still 5 years old and think I am invincible; I'll run through a thunderstorm no problem. I even ran through a hurricane. Hail does stop me though. That stuff HURTS!
I won't run in thunder either, but I'm pretty sure I"d never come up with that creative of a way to get my run in! Nice job.
i will not run in a thunderstorm either! Good luck getting all your miles in!! My fingers are crossed! :)
awesome idea!
love the fried chicken comment. i am with you...no thunder for me. as a matter of fact i am petrified of bad weather. we have tried to dodge the rain all morning, but it looks like we are heading out for our eight miles now....this ought to be good.
It is NOT safe to run in thunderstorms! Good call! And way to get those miles in however you can!
That's commitment! I just wrote about this the other day, but I wasn't as persistent as you about getting my run in - but I did cross-train!
I think you're smart.
But I am wondering where the reference to HTC is in this post?
way to git'r done! Good thing your h2c team didn't have a super early start time like mine did (5:15am!) because we ran down the mtn in thunder/lightning/hail and rain!
I am a thunder/lightning chicken too. No thanks!!!
Good luck! I have no doubt you'll get your miles in. Us moms have to be creative sometimes. And good luck with the ongoing potty training. :)
I am a weather chicken. But you are a rockstar for fitting those miles in whenever you can! Everyone who ever said they didn't have time to run, needs to take a note from you today!
Way to manage your way through a crappy day! This is yet another reason that I need a treadmill; I get one chance all day in a locale that's safe, so if the weather/my child/ anything else doesn't cooperate, I'm done.
you are a rock star for finding a way to fit it in :) way to go!
You are SMART not to run with thunder. Glad you didn't do it.
This made me smile! Love that you got it done in such a creative fashion. Way to think outside the box!
Very resourceful, way to get it done....thunderstorms, big NO GO!
Miss your face!
And this is EXACTLY why I long for a treadmill. Other reasons to add to fear list that would be resolved by a treadmill: fear of running in the dark by myself ( I just KNOW the boogie man will get me) and black ice - lots o that stuff in Virginia in the winter - yikes.
This is brilliant. I have had too many days that got cluttered and messed by schedule. Even though this isn't optimal, you get your miles and feel accomplished for the day. Putting this in my head for a future time!!!
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