We had been training for about a month. We were in good shape (aside from blisters on my toes and a screwed up knee–neither of which I acquired from running). On the morning of the big race, I woke up at 4:00 AM (we had to be there by 6:30 AM), and discovered it was raining. Hard. I groaned. Running in the rain was not something I wanted to do.
Then I looked at the thermometer. 35 Degrees Fahrenheit. Almost cold enough to snow. This is crazy, I thought.
My boy came downstairs.
"Dude," I said. "Take a look at the weather. Do you seriously want to do this?"
He poked his head outside. "Sure. It's not great, but it's no big deal."
Uh huh.
The weather forecast indicated that the rain was going to continue all day. Atlanta was under a weather advisory. I checked the race site. It was still on.
"Okay," I said. "We'll go see what's up. And maybe we can still get our hot chocolate. That's what we're going for, right?"
Long story short - the corral wait in the rain was an hour. The run was just over 35 minutes. It was the coldest, wettest running experience ever! And the hot chocolate wasn't hot. It was tepid.
"That was great!" Bubba said. "Can we do the 15K next year?"
Yeah, right!
Hey, at least he followed through and did it. Even if cold and wet is miserable.
ReplyDeleteYes. It's a sense of accomplishment to actually do it.
Deletecouldn't they just postpone the rain.... or at least the race :)
ReplyDeleteNo. We wondered the same thing. The city mandates that the roads have to be opened by a certain time. They couldn't postpone the race.
DeleteYour son is a credit to you, he could have easily said no, Hope next year the weather will be better. Not so good about the Hot Chocolate though.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I hope so, too. Especially since we may end up running a longer race.
DeleteI agree with nashvillecats2. Following through on his commitment, in spite of the nasty weather, is a great indicator of your son's character... and of the folks who raised him. Too bad the hot chocolate wasn't a bit better, though.
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't so cold, tepid hot chocolate might have been refreshing.
DeleteFollowing through is a big win indeed, even if a little wet.
ReplyDeleteYeah. A lot wet!
DeleteBubba is a trooper and so are you. Maybe the weather will be better next year.
ReplyDeleteThere's a chocolate run coming up in my area in a month or so. Some of my friends want to do it. Hmmm. I'm still thinking.
It's fun. A lot of people walk it. The goodies at the end are nice, and the race jacket you get is nice.
DeleteAt least it wasn't crazy hot. I wonder about those races. A bit of rain... Although, you didn't just have a "bit".
ReplyDeleteCrazy hot is not fun. I ran a 5k in July. It was brutal!
DeleteHow funny how different your experiences were. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate. Be glad you don't live up here in Michigan where it's way colder and snowy.
ReplyDeleteMy dad is in Ohio. He's telling me about the nasty weather you guys are getting!
DeleteThis is such a great story! I know...uncomfortable, but a memory that you’ll talk about forever. I love family. <3
ReplyDeleteYep. Crazy mom and son thing to do.
DeleteBubba is definitely a credit to you. He said yes to something and followed through. Congrats to both of you and a thumbs down to the event planners that the hot chocolate wasn't even hot at the end of the cold, wet run.
ReplyDeleteTepid hot chocolate would be okay on a warm day. Maybe even refreshing. But on a cold, rainy day, it would've been better to be hot!
DeleteNot easy to get out and run in the pouring rain- especially when it is that chilly. Sorry the hot chocolate wasn't warmer! Sounds like a memorable experience for you both. Bravo for persevering. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
I don't like running with wet feet! But it was memorable, for sure!
DeleteI love his enthusiasm. To be a kid again... lol
ReplyDeleteYeah. He's literally running circles around me now. :)
DeleteSounds a bit like my run last year. But glad you guys made it and got your prize for participating!
ReplyDeleteYay for prizes!
DeleteYeah, I would NOT have made that race. Too much Florida in me, methinks.
ReplyDeleteYeah. We're crazy northern birds. A little cold weather and rain isn't a deterrent.
DeleteYou are an awesome mother. I'd have said no way. I'll make my own hot chocolate at home
ReplyDeleteOr crazy. It wouldn't have been so good if we both got sick!
DeleteLOL! You two are so cute! I hope the rice crispy treats, marshmallows, banana, and chocolate were good? I think the one thing I would hate, is being cold. I hope you two didn't get sick! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWe liked the banana the best! :)
DeleteThey should have postponed the event after giving out hot chocolates when it was still hot!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I agree!
DeleteMothers are the best. Endurance. Sense of humor. Enough love to do a 5K in the cold and wet with their kid.
ReplyDeleteI'd call it craziness!
DeleteYou have done a brilliant job making sure that people understand where you are coming from. And let me tell you, I get it. Please post more updates to cure.
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