Guest Post: Wet Wet Wet ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Wet Wet Wet **

Once the name of a band from the 80’s / 90’s, now used to describe the weather in Ireland.

4 years ago at the start of Covid we spoke of the ‘new normal’ and what it consisted of. We could go nowhere but the weather was beautiful.

Now we can go anywhere we like but the ‘new normal’ is dodging showers of rain and puddles on the road. Your new best friend is a waterproof running jacket and drying out shoes is a regular occurrence.

As I write Storm Kathleen is about to hit our shores and another great weekend can be expected. Batten down the hatches, it will be windy.

I worry for race organisers as people will be reluctant to run in these conditions. A quick run from home and straight back to the shower could be acceptable but hanging around waiting for a start and then maybe a journey home cold and wet is not very appealing.

Also, if parking in a field is needed then this a complete no-no at the moment.

What can be done?

Don’t put yourself in harms way if it very bad. It isn’t fair on those who must use the roads to have to dodge around runners.

Try to watch for some kind of break in the weather to get the optimum running opportunity. It is raining a lot but it isn’t continuous.

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you are forced to miss a session. That is better than picking up a cold which could knock you back for a few weeks.

Short and fast, get it done and over with and back to dry clothing and a shower asap.
But we must persevere
What actual choice do we have
Quitting is not an option for me anyway
Like the storm we need to be careful and ride it out, but it will come good again.

We will get to Cork Marathon weekend where we will be sweating, burnt and looking back on all of this with a smile. 

The Inuits (Eskimos) have 50 words for snow.

I have just finished reading Manchán Magan's brilliant Irish Book ‘Thirty Two Words for Field’

Next Year I think I will publish:-

PWR 60 words for running in the rain

‘tis squally, ‘tis lashing, ‘tis spitting
‘twas bucketing out of the heavens
The heavens opened half way through
We got F***in soaked
Sunny South East my A*se
Puddle ahead and it could be deep
Please feel free to add your own to the collection. Local ones from different areas most appreciated
Earworm for the weekend. Sing it once and you will hum for the next few days
“ I feel it in my fingers
I feel it in my toes
Love is all around me
And so the feeling grows “ Wet Wet Wet

If you are running put a few stones in your pocket to stop you from blowing away.

Have a good weekend, stay safe. 
#pwr