Rich on Running: How to be a rainy-day runner

Fred Astaire sang in the rain. Billy Joel rode his motorcycle in it. But how do you run in it?Rainy season is upon us, and the wet climate can pose new challenges now that we are (let’s hope) transitioning out of winter. With stormy weather last Friday and again on Monday, what is a runner to do?Last Friday I went out for a 4.4-mile round-trip run from North Cambridge to Cambridge Common, the park near Harvard Square that is steeped in Revolutionary War history. It was where the colonial militia assembled the night before the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775 ? and where Gen. George Washington first took command of the Continental troops.There were no redcoats patrolling the streets of Cambridge last Friday, but I did wear my red hoodie. It was a good feeling to exchange my warm winter hat for a ballcap. However, leaving the gloves at home was probably a mistake in retrospect.Most of the journey was spent on the sidewalks, which overall were snow-free but not necessarily puddle-free. I mostly stayed clear of the puddles, some of which seemed deeper than Boston Harbor ? and kept an eye out for pedestrians, including the guy I moved over for near some of the Harvard dorms.While rain brings gray skies and muddy surfaces, it also adds beauty to the landscape. One treat during the run was the sight of raindrops sparkling on bare branches.And, of course, running in the cold, damp atmosphere outside can make one a little more appreciative of returning to a toasty atmosphere inside.Outstanding job by indoor athletesCongratulations to the North Shore indoor track student-athletes who participated in the all-state meets this past weekend at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. Leading the Lynn delegation was Hulerie McGuffie of Classical, who finished eighth overall in the girls 300 (41.69) and will head to Nationals on March 11.The MBTA MarathonWhat is a good way to sneak in a run? Well, if you’re down the street from North Station in Boston and you’ve got less than 15 minutes to catch the commuter rail to Lynn, that’s an incentive right there. Luckily I made it with 12 minutes to spare. Not only was it enough time to purchase a ticket, it also gave me enough time for a Big Mac meal from the nearby Mickey D’s.Rich Tenorio writes a weekly running column for The Item. You can email him at [email protected].