I suspect I failed my Real Oregonian test today. It started out well. I decided to go for a run instead of to the gym because it was only raining a little and it seemed likely to stop. And it was 60 degrees out, so running in a little rain would be practically pleasant. I could pretend I was a serious runner – a little rain won’t hold me back. Less than a mile in, it started to come down a little steadier. I ducked under a kiosk for a few minutes, but it didn’t get better. Runners and walkers and other hardy folk went by me, and I decided to suck it up and keep going. Then, of course, it turned into real rain. Still not a driving rain (that’s pretty unusual), but steady and soaking. I ducked under a bridge to wait it out – surely that wouldn’t last. Packs of runners went by with disdainful looks at the tourist (that I may have been imagining). Dog walkers gave me a wide berth – my prissiness might be contagious.
The message was clear: Real Oregonians don’t hide from the rain under bridges.
I was watching the rain hit the canal, and after a few minutes where it actually really did come down hard, I couldn’t see drops in the water anymore, so I hit the path. Yeah, I was wrong. It was still raining, but now it was a heavy mist. Too light to see it hit the ground, but plenty wet enough to soak through my clothes and get in my eyes and make it hard to see. Sneaky rain.
By the time I got home, dripping water, it was time to turn around and go to yoga, where the studio was so warm ACTUAL STEAM was rising from my damp clothes.
The hot shower I took tonight seemed almost unnecessary. No. It was necessary.