Maybe it's because I was raised in Vancouver, the city known for it's proximity to gorgeous mountains, beautiful ocean, and well, rain. And lots of it. Accompanied by grey skies. I don't know what it is, but anytime the light turns just a little bit darker and I feel a cool moisture in the air, I immediately think about a run.
I actually like running in small, shallow puddles. The rain hitting my face and dribbling down my shirt? LOVE IT!
As I run through the streets with cars driving by, windshield wipers swiping back and forth madly across their windscreens, and I see people peering through the glass with a look that says, "What crazy fool would be running in this?", I smile to myself and think, "Yes, I am SO a runner." Plus, is it just me that thinks that this is as close as any 'normal' person is going to get to being one of those inspirational Nike commercials?