Notes
So I signed up for this race yesterday knowing the weather wasn't looking good. But today it actually was clear all day and the storms were pushed back to 8 or so. I drove down to Pella for this 5k (main reason was a solid prize and trophy for 1st place, which was won in 16:45 last year). Picked up my packet with no mention, then heard some murmurs on my way back to the car. The race was canceled.
I agreed with their canceling, but I was not happy with how late they waited. Canceling yesterday may be unrealistic, but then I wouldn't have signed up. Canceling a few hours out would have saved me a lot of driving and I could have run without worrying about lightning.
I quickly drove to the Central XC course and did a lap. There were still some frolfers out but soon it was just me and some other guy. It was comforting knowing someone else was fine with the weather, or maybe we were both crazy. I also scouted the portapotty in case I needed a shelter from hail.
It was hardly raining the whole run, as in if I was sweating then I likely wouldn't have noticed. But I could hear the storms to the South. Soon I was just going back and forth on the same stretch not too far from my car, but I did get my first barefoot miles of the year, and it was splendid grass for running. Around 5 miles, it seemed things were getting closer and I gave in to my better judgment. I probably would have been able to run fine for another 30min, as the storm was riding parallel to Pella, but it would have been risky.