Who care's if you get soaked
A poem about trail running in thunderstorms
Fridays are for poetry and exploring a creative side of writing about my training experiences in sport. I hope you enjoy!
Today’s poem was inspired by running in a gnarly forest during a nasty thunderstorm with heavy rain, constant thunder, and a few flashes from above. Having done many runs like this over the years, I’m always amazed at how the inner feeling in the gut alerts me to either turn around or keep going. Too often, it says to keep going, and it’s right. Nothing like running in nature during nature’s greatest shows of forces, storms.
Have you ever run in the rain before?
Not a light drizzle
Not ‘just for the last few minutes’
I mean really running in the rain
You head out when the clouds are darkest
Thunder rolls the ground under your feet on the first steps
No hiding from the elements, you embrace nature’s challenge head on
A thunderstorm can be a perfect running environment
On your toes
Fully invested
Senses alive
Feeling everything
Perfect conditions breed imperfect execution
Imperfect conditions create perfect moments
A flash in the sky brings a calm alertness to your steps
The stakes are real now
Respond with integrity
The heavy drops eventually lift you, no longer weighing you down
Drenched to the point of total saturation
You forget you’re even wet
Puddles become stepping stones
Mud a chance to catch a slide
There’s a purpose to the run
JUST GET HOME SAFELY
GRATEFUL FOR THE JOURNEY
Next time it rains
Wait until it starts
Then put on your shoes
Make it intentional
Not an accident
Enjoy the moment
Running in the rain
Transcendent