One of my biggest pet peeves when coming to the University of Oregon from living in Portland, was the amount of people who thought that because I was from Oregon, I liked rain. This is actually untrue believe it or not. I actually don’t prefer cold raindrops on me for nine months of the year. I am, however, more prepared for when it does rain. So I’ll give that to them. I’ve learned how to live in the rain.
The Perfect Temperature
Eugene temperatures are raley cold enough to keep me inside. But I won’t lie- the raindrops are a wake up call. When the two mix, it creates the ideal running temperature. It becomes cool enough to prevent overheating but not so cold that your muscles seize up. That constant battle between “warm” and cold acts like a natural cooling system, keeping you refreshed mile after mile. After experiencing summer runs in Eugene’s 90 degree heat, a 60 degree rainy day suddenly isn’t that bad.
It’s Actually Good for Your Mental Game
Running through rain builds psychological toughness that treadmill sessions never will. There’s something empowering about running in the rain. The combination of music and rain creates a cinematic-like picture in my head. It reminds me of my resilience, which can be easy to forget. And the post-rain-run feeling is so rewarding. Taking that hot shower afterwards is one of Eugene’s finest bonuses, and somehow it feels earned in a way that sunny-day runs never quite match.
So, the next time you look outside your window at those grey clouds, don’t automatically reach for your student ID to swipe into the rec center. There’s a special kind of Pacific Northwest runner’s high waiting for you out there in the rain. After all, we’re Ducks, shouldn’t we feel right at home in the water?
Malia Rauh 
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