Hail from my run

0626091744a.jpg, originally uploaded by CTIrishGuy.

Well, you don't see that every day.

I went out for a six mile run this afternoon around 4pm. The skies were starting to get dark, but nothing seemed imminent.

I had been waiting to leave for the run because the Cable guy, who had come to the house to install cable and and the internet cable moden took about 4 hours to hook up my service.

I was feeling pretty good on the run. The temperature to start was about 81 degrees but with a nice breeze. With the dark skies, i was more comfortable than I thought I would be.

On the run, I listened to Runners Round Table #4 from this past winter. It was with John Ellis and Matt "Dumprunner." They were discussing different marathon training methods and strength training. It was interesting.

I was rounding the corner with about 3/4 mile to go, when the sky OPENED UP. Now this was no normal summer thunderboomer. This was a flash flood waiting to happen.

The picture you see here is the size of the hail which began to pelt my frame mercilessly. At first it was a curiosity. "Oh, that's kind of cool, hail." Within seconds, it became, "damn, that's a LOT of hail."
In less than a minute, my brain was screaming, "Oh, my god, I am under attack by hail!" Seriously, it was hitting me in the face and arms likes dime sized rocks dropped from the Chrysler Building.

Soaked to the bone, I sloshed in my soggy 2140s to the eaves of a house and clung to its side like a hungry pup. It gave me enough respite to put my gps phone away in the armband and stuff it in my pocket in a lame attempt to keep it dry. Amazingly, my phone no worse for wear now, but it should appeared like it was going to need to be replaced when I was in the thick of the storm.

The storm continued and the wind, now gusting faster, swept sideways and smacked me in the face again. The house was no longer haven. It was a trap. i ran to the back of the house and positioned under another eave next to a propane tank. If anyone had seen me from inside, I must have looked like a water-logged burglar. The propane tank wasn't giving me much comfort, especially when I heard a loud "crack" and bolt of lightning lighting up the sky.

I figured I had to make a break for it. I had about half mile to go. I ran as fast I could through the flooded shoulder of the road. I got another 1/4 mile when a car drove by and asked me if I needed a ride. A guy had actually gotten in his car and followed me to ask me if I needed a ride! His wife had called to me in the rain, but I wasn't sure who or what the yell was intended for, so I ran on. I was grateful. I got in and the guy drove me to right to my door!

I have run in snow, rain, fog and night. This is my first run in hail. Cool.