This race was… an experience. The kind you don’t forget, not because it was perfect, but because it asked you to show up in a completely different way.
The rain started the second the gun went off and never let up. We weren’t just splashing through puddles. We were wading through water that reached our shins, dodging unexpected potholes, laughing at the absurdity of it, and trying to keep our footing while the course turned into a small river.
My right knee was furious for about five miles after dropping into a hidden hole, but we kept moving. And honestly? I’m glad it wasn’t a perfect day. Races like this expose the work you’ve been doing long before the weather turns ugly.
Years ago, I would’ve shut down the second I saw the forecast. Rain meant chaos. Chaos meant tension. Tension meant a miserable run. But this time, I stayed calm. I adjusted my expectations, focused on my form, and reminded myself that discomfort isn’t danger. It’s part of the deal.
And that’s what I want runners — especially Masters and menopausal athletes — to understand.
Training isn’t just about pretty runs, perfect weather, or waiting for the stars to align. If you only train in ideal conditions, you’re teaching your brain to rely on them. But race day doesn’t care what you prefer.
It might hand you sideways rain.
Or blistering heat.
Or heavy winds.
Or freezing sleet.
Or all of the above — think Boston, Chicago, Oklahoma… pick a city and a decade.
You can’t control the forecast.
But you can absolutely train your mind and body to handle anything it throws at you.
That means practicing in the cold when you’d rather stay warm.
Running into the wind instead of hiding from it.
Staying relaxed when your socks are soaked.
Learning how your body moves when the footing gets sketchy.
Not panicking when your pace drops because conditions don’t match your plan.
These reps matter. They build the athlete behind the athlete. The one who doesn’t unravel when things get messy. The one who knows weather doesn’t dictate performance — preparation does.
And that day’s soggy half marathon? It proved that work is paying off.
If you want to get better at handling unpredictable weather, rough conditions, or the mental spiral that happens the second you feel uncomfortable, two resources will help you build that resilience:
The Central Governor Guide
A deep dive into how your brain regulates effort, why it sometimes protects you too aggressively, and how to train yourself to stay steady under stress.
My Mindset Challenges
Daily tools and prompts to help you build mental durability, emotional regulation, and confidence that holds up even when race day gets chaotic.
Stronger legs help, but a stronger mind carries you through the miles you don’t see coming.