For those who may not know, Ohio is categorized as a humid continental climate region of the United States. Winters here can range from pretty cool and mild to downright frigid and icy. Summers here take the “dog days” to a new level and are typically hot and humid. Precipitation is moderate year-round and it usually seems like it might rain at any given moment. In fact, some parts of Ohio are actually home to a variety of subtropical fauna. And severe weather? Although we are not technically part of Tornado Alley, it’s not a bad idea to keep an eye to the sky from May to September. Where I live, it can be hard to stand outside and breathe at this time of year, let alone run outside and not shrivel up or get caught in a pop-up thunderstorm.
So the fact that I run outside in the middle of summer in Ohio makes me tough, right? At least that was the only thought in my mind as I set out for a run on what appeared to be a perfectly hot and sunny day with only a hint of rain on the far Eastern horizon. As I stepped out the front door, my five-year-old neighbor asked me what I was doing all decked out in my running gear – shoes, shorts, hydration belt, and Garmin. I explained the function of each item for the tenth time and started off when she said, “Wait! Don’t go…stay here! Why do you have to run now?” I told her it was for exercise and that I wanted to get back before dark. She stared at me with a doubtful expression on her face for what seemed like more than a minute and said, “Well, I hope you make it.” She had certainly never said that before.
That was my sign, I thought. I should turn around and walk back into the house – chalking it up to a prophetic kid who somehow knew today was not the day to run. But, I didn’t. One foot in front of the other and I was down the sidewalk to the street and on my way to three miles of sweat. I turned around and saw my neighbor still standing by my door, waving her little hand at me with a big frown on her face until she was out of my sight. Just run, I thought of my age-old motivation – the faster you run, the faster you’re done!
Run I did. All the way until mile 1.5 when seemingly from out of nowhere a massive black thunderhead blew overhead and dumped impressively cold rain on me and everyone else who happened to be outside at that moment. People were sprinting indoors; dogs were barking franticly to be let in; children were screaming and scooping up toys. There were no other runners in sight. No big deal. I always enjoy how running in the rain makes me feel cool and refreshed.
I do not, however, enjoy thunderstorms – running in them or otherwise. I am downright terrified of storms as a matter of fact. So, when the wind picked up and the thunder and lightening started, I got a little nervous. Even so, it wasn’t until the tornado sirens went off that I had a moment of panic. My heart started racing, my breath got stuck in my throat, my hands started shaking, and my knees felt like rubber. I actually thought this is how I might die.
But, if you’re lucky, with every moment of panic comes a moment of clarity. And I was lucky. I was soaked to the bone and rain was streaking down my face making it so that I could barely see. Every crack of thunder put a jump in my step that kept me moving faster than I thought possible. The wind, at my back, shoved me forward with unnatural momentum. I ran like I had never done before. I was already out in it; why not make the best of it?
I saw eyes peering out at me from inside garages as people watched the encroaching clouds. A lady called to me from her porch, “Hey, you running! Are you CRAZY?” I yelled back, without pausing, “PROBABLY!” Then I immediately thought, why I didn’t say something like, “No, just really dedicated,” or “No, I’m just really tough.” It was then that I realized I was battling the odds, fighting the elements, pushing through the thick of things all in the name of what? Running. And to make myself better. It was then that I realized if I was actually running during a tornado warning – me who hides at the mere mention of bad weather – running was more than just something to do. It was something I had to do because it was a part of me and for that, I really was tougher.
I made it home in just over 3 miles – my route didn’t shorten in spite of the storm. I was freezing and drenched, but had the biggest smile on my face. I stood on the porch, in the slowing rain. “I conquered the storm,” I thought, “I am a runner, a real runner.” I looked around for my neighbor, who of course, was nowhere to be seen to share in my triumph.
I saw her the next day though, my five-year-old neighbor, and she said as I was leaving for my run, “I hope you make it,” just like she has every day since then. I smiled at her and said, “Thanks, I think I will.” And she waves until I am out of sight.
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