Racing In The Rain

We opened the triathlon season with a frozen jaunt through the rain at the ADPiathlon in Murfreesboro.  Last weekend I ran the Country Music Half in a steady downpour and celebrated by shivering in the rain for two more hours.  This weekend I’m heading to Knoxville for the Rev 3 Olympic and the forecast is for a 60% chance of scattered showers. 

First of all, what the hell does 60% chance for scattered showers mean?  Does that mean there’s a 40% chance of solid showers or a 40% chance that it will be dry?  I have sent an email to Knoxville meteorologists for clarification and will give you an update as soon as I hear. 

Either way, I’m mentally preparing for rain, which, in theory, isn’t that big of a deal while you’re racing, except on the bike.  You swim in water and it can actually feel good while running . . . but rain dampens the excitement of the event for anyone watching and frankly, I use their energy.

So, Sunday, when I’m treading water and it’s also dropping on my swim cap, I will turn inside to channel all of the training and experiences of past races as I drop my face into the river and pull myself upstream toward the first orange buoy.  Then I will turn downstream, glance at the three spectators, and settle into a nice backstroke toward the swim exit. 

As I find land, I’ll rip myself from the wet suit, and plod the point 3 miles to my bike where I’ll stuff garbage bags under my top and hit the lonely roads of Knoxville.  Biking in the rain is dicey, but I figure the more I ride in the rain, the easier riding in nice weather will be.  Sooo . . . bring it on! 

In the last 3 weeks I have run exactly 3 times.  A 10K race, a 3 mile jaunt with the East Nasties on a Wednesday, and a half marathon.  Sunday I will hop off my bike and run for the fourth time, another 10K.  Since this is my second Olympic, I’m feeling more confident about sticking the run, so we’ll see what happens. 

Years ago I listened to a cassette tape from motivational speaker, Zig Zigler, and the very first thing he said with regard to staying positive was, “Never judge a day by the weather,” and while it’s not always easy, that line has stuck in my head.  Truthfully, the rain will “bother me” most in the swim because I would prefer to enjoy the sunshine while I’m in the river, but once you dig in, water is water, and my body will be alive and full of light, even though the sun is behind the clouds.