Reasons why running in the rain is great

It was pouring here in New York yesterday. Not a bad thing as it has been hot and humid lately. The first thing I did (call me crazy, Liesbeth already did) was pull on my running shoes for a trip down the street. And it was raining hard, therefore no one on the streets, so a whole jogging track for you alone. And there are more benefits when running in the rain, here they come:

• First of all that ‘home alone’ feeling. Especially with music drumming in your ears and hardly a human being in sight. So great.
• You feel like Rocky, who else runs in the rain? Hats off to you.
• There’s more oxygen in the air and you notice. Usually you can hold out longer than you normally do.
• You run faster than you usually do because you want to get home quicker. A good workout.
• The after-feeling is chill. Coming home soaking wet and hitting a hot shower only to snuggle up on the sofa in your loungewear makes a person very happy. You bettcha!

Oh and here are a few tips to make things as comfortable as possible for you.

• Wear shorts instead of joggers. Wet legs are not as bad as wet (heavy) joggers.
• Wear a thin running jacket, a water resistant one yet breathable or else you’ll sweat like a pig.
• Don’t wear cotton, it gets very wet.
• Wear watertight shoes. Running with wet feet will give you pain and blisters, not chill.
• And if you just bought yourself a pair of new trainers you can bet they’ll get dirty in the rain.
• A cap is a good addition as well.