A Rain Renegade

In case you didn't know, it rains in London. a lot. like a real lot.

My transition across the pond has been fairly smooth with the exception of two things: sleeping and running. I blame both on the rain.

You see, Sean and I take our bed very seriously. Now before our family gets all grossed out, I'm talking about linens people. Just linens. and pillows. In fact, I even chose to forgo several fabulous outfits during the packing process just so I could fit our down comforter in the suitcase. A comforter over clothes?! You know I'm serious this time. However, I think we did TOO good a job with our bedding. It's so soft and warm and cuddly; its like sleeping on a cloud. Couple that with the fact that it rains every.freaking.day. and you have a recipe for sleeping of epic proportions. I literally have to peel myself from the bed every morning with a whimper and silent promises of being back in it as soon as possible. But really, it's not my fault. Bed, I love you.

My running, on the other hand, is slowly improving. The first few days here I let the rain get between me and my runs (my runs and I?), but I've come to realize this weather isn't going to stop any time soon. I'm going to be here awhile so unless I want to take up doing 93824230984 jumping jacks in my living room every evening, I need to pound the pavement rain or shine.

Running in the rain is a funny thing. I always lack the motivation to get out there, but once I kick my own butt hard enough and get out the door, I actually enjoy running in the rain. I feel kind of bad ass. It's like I'm a renegade runner.

Evans...Marie Evans, Rain Renegade Runner Extraordinare. Apparently rule #1 of being a bad ass Rain Runner is wearing all black like a ninja? I think so. Renegade, Ninja, Bad Ass, it's all the same to me.


Check out those guns. Which way to the beach? Errrrr I'm so tough (except last night I had to ask Sean to twist open the jar of peanut butter. I guess what they say is true, looks CAN be deceiving)

I managed to run 5 miles in the rain, but despite this blog entry, my time was nothing to write home about (haha I made a little pun there). I think one of the things I love most about running is that I can be competitive with myself. I was never good at being a team player, but myself? I'm great at being that. This was one of my worst 5 mile times I've had in a long time and that's not a good sign when I have a race in my immediate future.


I have a 10k next weekend and I think it is going to provide me with the swift dose of reality I need. and by the term "provide" I mean reality is going to smack me across the face repeatedly and make me its bitch as I am huffing and puffing my way across the finish line. My runs have been a lot slower lately. Perhaps copious amounts of chocolate and alcohol aren't the tried and true training method I thought they were?! Hmmmm....


I've weaned myself off my Cadbury chocolate addiction, but the alcohol is a bit tougher. Pints at the pub are just so delicious. and so fun to say in a British accent. They even have strawberry flavored ones! (beers, not accents)


In my defense though, when they flavor a beer to taste like a fruit, it's just too easy to justify...how could a girl resist?

(Fun quiz for you: Can you tell which beer is bigger?)