My Introduction to English Rain

First off, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Years. May your goals, challenges, resolutions, adventures, what nots be everything you hoped it would be and that you keep up with whatever you decide. Me, I'm not doing my normal goals and one word posts like here and here. I know things I want to try and learn for 2014. But I just don't feel it necessary to write it down here. I will say that I've already started working on learning to like scotch during my holiday vacation in England before the New Year and even had a shot of Glenfiddich at midnight.

This wasn't my first scotch. 

We all had a shot, but I only had a couple of sips. I'm not there yet.

But back to the post at hand.

I want to preface the rest of this content with I have experienced rain in England before many times (and even some snow). I have also experienced running in the rain here in Houston. In recent runs, the rain hit, while I'm running and then it's miserable, hot, humid, and full of bugs. So, I typically avoid it like the plague.

However, England is different. You can't just avoid the rain. And I wanted to exercise since my diet consisted of Quality Streets, Mallows, some caramel thing, minced pies, beer, and whatever else came in to my eyesight that looked delicious (and there wasn't much that didn't).

So, I got out there and ran on New Years day, New Years Eve, and the previous Saturday. All three days were cold, windy, and/or rainy. Saturday was the only day where the rain didn't come down, but it was the coldest and windiest day. I was bundled up like a day for snowmobiling instead of running. I didn't care. I wanted to run.

Jim and I planned the route using googlemaps; Pax Inn was my turnaround point for each run.

For Saturday, I roughly ran two miles. I do not know my time running and it was my shortest route. Although, I did run up both hills instead of walking them and they are big hills.

This doesn't look steep, but it is very steep. I burned a great deal of calories on this hill. See road for rain.

On New Year's Eve, I decided to add more mileage by running a different route. I also used my new Runtastic app on my iphone to track my route. Even though it was drizzling and cold, I said hello to other runners and walkers out there. It made me feel apart of the community. I could also tell that I was getting slightly faster just in a couple of days. I ran 2.78 miles for 41 minutes. Extra steps were added, because I ran passed Jim's house not remembering that his brother's car was in the driveway. So, it wasn't great, but it's something. I burned 376 calories.

New Year's day was a different beast all together. When I woke up, there was no rain. But I was hungry and we made a big breakfast full of black eyed peas for good luck, eggs, and toast. So, I had to wait an hour before I could head out. As soon as I felt ready to go, the rain hit. I said, "Screw it, I'm going." I put on Jim's big windbreaker and headed out. I added a slightly different route for more mileage. The few people walking for a reason looked at me like I was crazy. I think I may have hit the crazy zone. I wore my glasses to give me eye protection, but it didn't help...like at all. I never got warm and I hit so many puddles of water, which drenched my shoes. My total mileage was 3.60 miles (mainly because I got lost on the way back home) at 55:12 minutes. My first mile went from 13:40 minutes on NYE to 13:20 minutes on NY day. I also noticed that I only stopped twice for a quick walk.

When I finally got home, I was soaked to the core and cold. But I felt like a BOSS! There was nothing that could take away from that feeling and quite possibly made it worth it. Although, next time, I will wear anti-fog goggles.

Here is what I looked like when I walked through the door in which both my boyfriend and stepfather laughed at me as soon as they saw me.

I was so happy my phone survived, because my pockets were soaking wet.

At times, I had to take off my glasses, because I couldn't see and everything was too wet to wipe them down. 

I had the top part of the jacket open so I wouldn't get so hot. It's awesome. 

Since it's a new year, why not help someone out, which will make you feel good inside.

Come join us on February 8, 2014, at 8 a.m. at Bear Creek Park for the first annual Quadraman Fun Run. It's a two mile run and the best thing is that it's only $10. If you can't be in the Houston area on that time, don't fret. We set up a Virtual Run for the same price. Just make sure to send us your pictures about your run or organized run. We will also have a Quad Trot for the younger participants ages 2-10, which is a 444 ft run.

Register for this easy and inexpensive run at https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=3627&eventID=44905. Everyone is encouraged to raise funds for their run. A special gift will be given to the top fundraiser. Donate at https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=3627&eventID=47038. If you are donating to help a registered runner raise funds, then place their name in the Ticket Holder Name field.

So, please come out and show your support to help our friend called David.

Like our Facebook page for updates on the fun run and fun facts or visit Dave's Caring Bridge site for updates on his progress.