Playing in the rain...

I had one of those rides today that was nearly sublime.

When I was a kid, my mom once had a big meeting with a bunch of other wives from the squadron. They brought their kids...all various ages. The kids were told to skedaddle outside and play... and NOT to disturb the moms.

So, we did. We played, all ages of visitors, all the neighborhood kids...ALL of us. Skaters, big wheelers, skate boarders, bike riders, skippers, runners...boys girls...everyone. I remember we had some elaborate game with rules that allowed the little kids to play along with the big kids. Then, it started to rain. It was late spring or early summer...the rain was heavy, but no thunder. And then it POURED. We played. For some reason, though, NONE of the moms called for us to come inside. I remember being rather surprised by that. We kept playing. Finally, we got called in and halted in the garage. There would be no puddling in mom's house, after all.

Fast forward to today.

My training "job" today was to get a 90 min long run in. I did. Not very fast, but nice and steady. I felt good the whole way through. I started in a light mist that got a little heavier, but not much, and finished just as the watch was beeping for the 2nd 45 minute interval (I did a 45 min out and back to see if I could even or negative split).

I came in, scarfed some food down, changed my clothes and went out to meet the out of town cyclists that are here for the AMBA rides. I'd told them I'd lead the ride today if they wanted. We've had so much rain lately, that the spray chalk and arrows were mostly washed away. So, since I'd marked the last half of the route, I could lead if they didn't feel good about the cue sheets.

It rained....
lightly....then moderately...
then... WOOSH! Torrential downpour.

At one point, the rain was managing to sneak in under the brim of my hat, and rain down the inside of my glasses. I was DRENCHED! All I could do was laugh at one point. It actually was pretty liberating.

Yesterday, I got 30 miles on the trainer, today, 40 on the road. That's the longest weekend riding I've ever had. Sorta liked it.