September 14, 2008 Bad weather makes for some great running memories The news this week has centered on Hurricane Ike and is affecting ball games, travel arrangements and evacuations to cities and towns farther north away from the coast. I haven’t heard of any races that are being canceled yet, but I am sure there will be; and if they plan on hosting the race, the number of runners will be down. The one thing about bad weather or unusual circumstances is it provides the opportunity for a very memorable and unforgettable run. Looking back at the number of runs that I have had, the ones that are remembered are the bad-weather runs. One involved a group of about five runners who ran a six-mile route down Post Road between classes. On this particular day, the weather forecast called for heavy rain. We argued about whether we should chance it or not, and were not getting out on the road. I made the comment that it would not rain until we got back so there will be no problem. I was almost right. On the return, at about four miles, the sky let loose with a rain that came down in buckets. The rain was so heavy that, even on a flat road, the water was about three inches deep. We got soaked and beyond wet to the bone. I had a little explaining to do about my ability to be a weather forecaster. But it was a run to be remembered. Another run was in Oregon on a vacation. I was training for a marathon and needed a long run. Over this small mountain was another town, and the distance would be about 18 miles over and back. I took off with a T-shirt and shorts, as on my side of the mountain, the weather was cool but perfect for a long run. On the way up the mountain, I look across the road and saw a runner coming down from the top. He was dressed in a bright yellow Gore-Tex running suit and had snow on his beard and head. He mentioned that it was snowing at the top of the mountain. He was right. At the top, it was snowing and had slush (melted snow) on the road. Back on the other side of the mountain, I stopped at a small gas station to see if I could get a glass of water before heading back. The only water was from a well, and it had a muddy or cloudy color to it. I usually don’t drink muddy water; but since it was the only water available, it had to do. Back into the snow and slush and back home. Another run that is remembered. I was on a streak of about 125 days or so (days of running without a break) one summer and didn’t want it to stop, even though the weather was forecast to thunderstorm. One of my favorite runs was the old “Freeman Ranch” road; an unpaved stretch next to some cattle and a very scenic relaxing-type run. Ros Hill and I parked at the bottom of the hill that led to the route we were to run. The hill is about a half-mile and was a good start for the run. We were going to do about five miles and turn back. We got to the top of the hill and a bolt of lightening struck near by. The rule is to see the flash of lightning and then count the number of seconds and multiply by 15, and that would be how far the lightning is off. I haven’t learned how to count in hundredths of a second, because the flash and boom of thunder were at the same time. I swear I saw that lightning bolt hit about 50 yards from us. If you wanted to see two runners reconsider continuing a run that was Ros and I. My streak was just not worth running that close to a lightning flash. Even though the return run was downhill, I still think that’s the fastest half-mile I have ever run in my life. I can’t remember if my feet ever hit the ground, or if I just took one big jump and made it to the bottom of that hill. I purposely stopped my streak the next day after that run. It became another run to be remembered. On that same route, Jim Duvall and I were finishing up a 10-mile run on a hot summer day. We were at about mile seven when a couple of pick-ups drove by us and suddenly stopped, and the people got out of the car and started screaming and yelling. I could only think that I would tell these people that runners don’t carry wallets or money on them, so robbing us was a total waste of time. Then, from between the pick-ups came this rattlesnake that reached from the edge of one side to the road to the other side. It was easily the length of the width of the road, and had a diameter that was easily seen from about 20 yards away. Jim and I, in our focus on the end of a hot run, were just trying to finish, and I doubt if we would have even seen that rattler until it would have been too late. The last three miles were a real pick up of the pace, and the heartbeat had a very fast rate. All in all, it was another remembered run in the log book. I don’t recommend going for a run while Ike is in full blast, but those runners who do will definitely have a run to remember. Dr. Maurice Johnson - better known around San Marcos as “Moe” - is a professor in the Department of Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance at Texas State University - San Marcos. Moe has been a fixture in the San Marcos running community - both as a runner and race organizer - since way back when Moby Dick was a minnow. His column on running and fitness appears each Sunday in the Sports section of the San Marcos Daily Record. • Recent “Running With Moe” Columns • Home • About the Club • Current News • Club Runs • Places To Run • TX Running Clubs • Running Links • Useful Stuff Upcoming Races • Race Results • Country Roads 10K & Kids Run • ARA-Moe’s Better Half Marathon • “Running With Moe” Contact Us!