If it rains, I run!

It's raining today and cold, and windy and not very hospitable outside.
I'm not what you would call an "elite runner." I've never had a warm towel prepared for me after a particularly grueling race, never had a police escort to the finish line, never felt the tape at the finish line signifying that I was the first one through the chute. I am thinking of these things as I prepare to run in December in unfamiliar territory.
I don't know that I will ever know the feeling of those running luxury things, but I do know one thing for certain-- my first big race that I ran over 15 years ago was one that taught me all that I now know about running in adverse conditions. If it rains, I run.
This first big race was a half marathon with the cutesy little title of "Mini" in front of the race name. I showed up at the start wearing spandex capri tights, a cotton t-shirt that was a size too large and a cotton sweatshirt that was two sizes too large. It was chilly and overcast and I thought the bulk would be welcoming during the 13.1 miles of the race. I had my neon shoe laces tight and my cotton socks perfectly folded over my ankles. Do you see a common material here? Cotton? You know how there used to be a commercial entitled the "fabric of our lives?" Uh, yeah, not so much when it comes time to moving one's body in the rain.
The race started dry, but the overcast clouds quickly became darker 2 miles into the race and soon were dropping very large, very cold raindrops onto the runners. The weight of my t-shirt and sweatshirt pulled at my arms and dripped small waterfalls into my socks. To say I was soaked was an understatement. I recall thinking for a brief moment that I could chuck the sweatshirt but then the wind started to blow and I figured it was better to deal with the extra weight than to be chilled and completely miserable.
I also thought, for a very brief moment, I could just jump on the bus that was following behind the pack and have a nice leisurely ride back to the finish area-- but, that wouldn't do; I wouldn't get my finishers' medal. I learned something that would carry me through to this day in the midst of terrible races, not enough training, and even ideal conditions-- never, never, never quit!

I didn't quit during that first half marathon and have continued to persevere in future races-- noting that, at least not yet, I've never dropped out of a race. I've learned to slather Vaseline on my feet before going out on a super wet or super hot run and I've learned that moisture-wicking materials are best.
It is raining today, but as people scurry home to dry environments-- I'll be pulling on my tights, squeezing Vaseline between my toes and donning a baseball cap to keep the rain directly out of my eyes-- because, even if it rains-- I RUN!