"Never One Drop of Rain ....

.... on Arretcus (sp)." Or, something like that? For those who read the Sci Fi classic Dune.

Left the house for a short 4.5 mile run. Yes, my throat still a little raw. Feeling better, but mainly, stir crazy the diagnosis. Needed that run last night. Today, sore throat is hardly there, and I have little respiratory yuck. Yeah, I am crazy to run sick. Go, ahead and do it to me -  the certifiably insane runner stamp can go right here on my forehead. Yet, it is Vegas. Warm and dry. What's it going to do? Rain on me while running at night?

Yep. Okay nothing like the stock pix above I found. Yet, Vegas is not Dune. Well, almost. We average 4 inches of rain a year here. Yes, 4 very tiny and elusive inches for this dry speck of the Mojave. It did not fall all at once. It was just enough to remind what it feels like again to run in rain.

Almost a daily occurrence for many months growing up in Seattle. Living in Topeka it happened a few times. Except in Topeka when it rains - the phrases Baptist Downpour or Gully Washer describe it well. Last night, it fell enough to get me, my long sleeve Seattle Mariner T wet with something other than me. It also made the roads a little slick to run on. Only 4 inches of rain means lots of built up car grease and other auto stuff/pollutants which finally gets damp. I wouldn't say washed away, but at least damp and a tad slick for it. It was nice though. Not very cold, around 60. It was a nice refreshing and unexpected treat.

Okay, it did have me reminiscing on my running days of yore (yeah, I just used that word) in Seattle. Not only running in rain, but running with tunes was a way of life. Actually, listening to my once and beloved Seattle Supersonics and Mariner games was the usual running playlist. I would listen to music as well. Most who know me, know music is a lifeblood (another Dune reference; honestly I read the book only once) for me. Yet, today, nothing.

No, not even a Shuffle, is official Slomohusky running attire or equipment. Although if I happen to dreadmill, YES in a big way. It has nothing to do with safety reasons, although I can say I have been saved from a few accidents for not wearing buds in my ears. I just like hearing whats around me now. I like being aware. Not for safety reasons, but just for the sake of "being".

Weirdness, maybe, but I really find myself so wrapped up in meditative thought after a mile. I like that more than listening while running. Well, actually, I guess I am listening. Listening to my own thoughts.

Running at this point in life, has really become personal rumination time. Working through all the stuff of life for 5-15 miles. The vastness of stuff rattling around while running is pretty happy go lucky. Yet, it is also time to work over the challenges of life that pop up. It is also mainly planning time. Mapping out what's next, not just for the next mile or two; but the next year or two of miles as well. You know things like, I know even better Greek, Mexican and Italian Seafood can be found on my next Cali Coast trip. Is there truly a mystic pizza somewhere here in Vegas? When will I be in Seattle for my next Dicks Deluxe and Fries?

Okay though? I am sure some of you at least? Have playlists of two or three music genres or artists your listening to while waddling along running. Curious at what they are? Anyone? What gets your heart rate up while running? Or, are you a lot like me these days? I spoke to someone who listens to books on running while running. Okay, sounds like a boring life to me, but I will go with that. Whatever helps you  B Who U B.

Take care today. It is Friday the 13th! Have a great weekend of running and everything else. Last Soccer game for my little girls team till March. My son, has tourney time starting next weekend though. So, soccer isn't over just yet for us.

Cheers!