Assuming it will ever stop raining

Most people I know are afraid to exercise outside when it’s raining (and many even run on treadmills at the gym when it’s a perfectly beautiful day outside.) As your resource for all that is running, I’d like to offer a few tips for those of you who wanting to incorporate running into your fitness routine:

– If you’re the type to be unmotivated unless you’re working out with someone else, give one of the local running clubs a try. My club, Buffalo Chips, is the oldest, largest, and friendliest club (we were even named “Best Running Club in the US” by Runner’s World magazine.) With more than 800 members, we have every level of runner — from those who couldn’t run down the block when they first started, to those of us who do what some think are crazy distances. Fleet Feet on J Street also offers some great beginning running courses, targeted toward newbies (but all levels are welcome.)

– Buy the right kind of shoe: This is not the time to just go to SportMart and pick up a pair of whatever looks cool. It’s worth it to take the time to be analyzed by an expert. Again, Fleet Feet can help you. They’ll ask you what your experience is, what types of surfaces you’ll be running on, what your typical weekly mileage is, and they’ll watch your gait to see if you pronate or supinate. Wearing the right shoe will help prevent injuries, and it will help you be a more efficient runner. If you got the recent Sport Chalet mailer specifically on running gear, don’t believe the hype. I went there to check it out, and they have a very limited selection.

– DON’T wear headphones when running EVER: Not saying that this girl would have been saved had she not been wearing headphones, but even if she’d heard the car approaching just a split second earlier, things may have been different. Believe me, it’s not boring to run without headphones. I’ve gone thousands upon thousands of miles over the years without headphones, and it is not boring.

– Run against traffic and make yourself visible: By running against traffic (even on sidewalks), you’ll see what’s coming your way. Make yourself visible by wearing upper-body reflective gear at night. Many jackets, hats, and shirts have reflective material on them already, and these are ideal. I also wear a reflector vest when I go out at dusk or early in the morning. Spending $10 and looking slightly geeky is a small price to pay when it could be a lifesaver.

– Carry ID on you. I have a tag on my shoe with all my information on it, heaven forbid something should happen.

– Check out some of the trails in our region, but not by yourself. If you’re new to running and don’t know the American River Bike Trail very well, I recommend staying between the 8.5 and 22.5 mile marks — these are from the Howe Avenue overcrossing to Hazel Avenue. This is the most heavily used portion of the parkway, and it’s among the safest sections as well. If you’re like me and need more variance your terrain, the horse trails past Granite Bay and up to Auburn are great, as are the trails up in Cool. If you’re going to any of these remote areas, never go alone. We usually travel in packs of four for safety — one person to stay with an injured person, and two to go get the car or get help.

– If you’re new and still don’t know what to do, follow this easy mantra: Run until it gets too hard, then walk until it gets too easy (lather, rinse, repeat.) You don’t have to go full-speed, just enough to get your blood pumping is fine. It’s OK to walk, and if you think you’re slow, just remember that you’re way ahead of everyone who’s just camped out in front of their TV.