Running through the raindrops

By JERRY HITCHCOCK

Staff Writer

We’ve entered the rainy season.

After a more-than-wintry winter, the precipitation continues.

But hey, this is North Idaho. If you’re into being outdoors, you’re a little more hardy than those active people down south.

Before I head out for a run or bike ride this time of year, I’ll bring up weather.com, and see what the current radar is showing. I’ve found this to be a helpful tool in my wardrobe preparation. Maybe it’s just a light rain right now, and the trend shows it may clear up soon. In that case, I’ll wear a little thinner gear, expecting it to dry up. Other days, the heavy stuff may arrive in the middle of your workout.

Either way, a good, light raincoat is hard to beat. I have plastic fenders that attach to my bike, so I can stay fairly dry, but my back and chest will attract Mother Nature’s wetness. Keeping that stuff on the outside not only keeps you dry on the inside, it can keep you happy and focused on your workout.

Back in the day, I used to take my mom’s Scotchguard and spray all over my outerwear, which would do a decent job of keeping it waterproof — at least for a little while. Now there are plenty of weatherproofing products on the market that do a way better job, and preserve your clothing and shoes in the process.

Underneath, wicking clothing is the ticket. Whether you’re wearing waterproof shoes or just your normal running shoes, wicking socks will pull some amount of moisture away from your feet, keeping them a little drier, at least until you stomp in that mud puddle.

We are also fortunate to have so much tree coverage in the area. There are plenty of places around that offer trails with a nice canopy overhead, keeping you drier on even the wettest day.

All that being said, be smart. If you hear thunder or see lightning, you’re in danger. Make sure you’re not on high ground, and seek refuge indoors whenever possible. Hopefully you’re near a local bike shop or coffee shop or the like, and can spend a short while out of the elements as the danger passes.

And just because it’s wet, don’t think you can go without water. Any workout over an hour will require some intake, and no, those drops on you face will not magically absorb inside your body and quench your thirst.

If you plan on exercising near a road, make sure you have on your brightest gear. Think back to driving in the rain: Sometimes it is hard to see clearly through that windshield between wiper-blade swooshes. Day-glo orange or yellow is your friend — and will make sure you are seen.

Depending on circumstances, a steady rain can draw up oil on a roadway, making it extremely slick. Whether you’re on a bike or running, it’s time to play defense. Just assume that the road is a little slick, and you’ll be much better prepared to deal with a slide.

Chafing can occur more than on a normal outdoor workout, as clothing can tend to stick to the skin and not slide around like on a dry day. All kinds of things work well to avoid this: Petroleum jelly, diaper rash ointments or other lubricants can save the day.

I’ve had my share of problems in adverse conditions. I encountered a snow storm on an April ride a couple years back, and suffered a flat. Luckily I had a building close by that I could get behind and change my tire out of the elements. Also, luckily, my fingers were just limber enough that I was able to wrestle the flat inner tube off and mount the new one before they got too cold to do the job. But hey, that is what you have a cellphone for, right? Let’s just hope you get a signal. Bottom line: If you’re worried about what could go wrong, you’d stay home, and what’s the fun in that? A little preparation can make any day outside enjoyable.

There are plenty of activities I don’t mind doing in the rain. When I was younger, my twin brother and I spent many Sunday mornings playing at a small community college golf course. Often the rain would not let up, but with rain gear and the proper gloves, we soldiered on, and more often than not we had a great time.

I always felt I played better in the rain, since I really had no expectations of scoring well due to the conditions. And since I felt no pressure, every shot I hit was done with little to no tension. Although the rain tended to slow the ball in the air, when it hit ground, it would usually skip forward and gain some ground. As long as the wind was behaving itself, I felt like I’d have a decent round. And unlike the scene in “Caddyshack,” I’ve never hit a ball into a water-filled hole and had a frog hop out.

The other plus to a round in the rain was that most other golfers stayed home, or cowered in the clubhouse, waiting for the weather to break. In other words, the course could be your oyster — no slow groups ahead of you, nothing to impede your progress.

Finally, I’ve always loved the sound of rain. In my mind, it’s a soothing sound, and one I’ve come to enjoy.

So grab that slicker and blaze a (wet) trail!

- • •

Jerry Hitchcock can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2017, via email at jhitchcock@cdapress.com, or follow him on Twitter at HitchTheWriter.