Rain Gear

[Emmabean2000]

Ok, with the chance of rain a possibility for the 1/2, I need some advice for rain gear. Obviously, we will all be running with wet shoes and sock, but what do people wear on top? Do people run with ponchos? I would rather pick up a nice rain jacket, but would lit be worth it? Also, I would hate to start running in the rain, then at the 7 mile mark have it stop raining and I am stuck with a nice rain jacket for the last 6 miles...Is there something I should be looking for at the expo?

TIA!

 

[cewait]

Ok, with the chance of rain a possibility for the 1/2, I need some advice for rain gear. Obviously, we will all be running with wet shoes and sock, but what do people wear on top? Do people run with ponchos? I would rather pick up a nice rain jacket, but would lit be worth it? Also, I would hate to start running in the rain, then at the 7 mile mark have it stop raining and I am stuck with a nice rain jacket for the last 6 miles...Is there something I should be looking for at the expo?

TIA!

I think what you wear really depends on walker versus runner. Then moderate verses cold.

Avoid non breathable fabrics is a best rule to follow. OK if you are a walker and it is in the 30's low 40's I would back off the rule and go for comfort. Just understand that you are putting off a lot of humidity at 99-100F and it will condense in the poncho and you will get wet and hot; then cold as a result.

Other than that if you are headed out for running rain gear then you need to spend a little to get good gear. Gore-tex is a leader in this field but there are other manufacturers. Look for a large back vent, under sleeve (i.e. arm pit) vents and dual zippers to allow you to tune air flow through the jacket.

Being a little old school, I will just head out with a tighter weave tech fabirc for the run. I am a very heavy sweater and i overpower any fabric out there.

You do need to think face. A billed cap or billed visor is in order on a rain run. If your face is not feeling the rain you will feel 1000% better.

In you fanny pack you will need a tech type lense wipe if you wear glasses. This will remove the spots for a little while.

I do nothing for the legs other than what the temperature requires.

For standing our pre-race a trahsh sack or park poncho will work well.

When running in the rain you need to look for puddles. The parks puddle badly. Another puddle source are the lane lines in the roadway. Due to the way paving equipment works, the lane line is flat and will collect a little puddle. You are destined for a little more cmaber than expected if you traditionally run the laie line.

 

[syko]

If you wear glasses this stull if fantastic: http://www.oakley.com/pd/2104

 

[cewait]

If you wear glasses this stull if fantastic: http://www.oakley.com/pd/2104

Oh, I forgot to mention that I will wear my light amber/orangy shaded glasses in the rain to minimize the squints. It was the Oakley connection. You pay a premium for their gear, but I have never been disappointed.

 

[skfulkers]

Other than that if you are headed out for running rain gear then you need to spend a little to get good gear. Gore-tex is a leader in this field but there are other manufacturers. Look for a large back vent, under sleeve (i.e. arm pit) vents and dual zippers to allow you to tune air flow through the jacket.

Being a little old school, I will just head out with a tighter weave tech fabirc for the run. I am a very heavy sweater and i overpower any fabric out there.

You do need to think face. A billed cap or billed visor is in order on a rain run. If your face is not feeling the rain you will feel 1000% better.

In you fanny pack you will need a tech type lense wipe if you wear glasses. This will remove the spots for a little while.

I do nothing for the legs other than what the temperature requires.

For standing our pre-race a trahsh sack or park poncho will work well.

I second everything Charles said above. Especially about the billed cap or visor. Keep that rain off your face and you will feel so much better. I also don't wear rain gear unless it is really pouring. Usually just a LS tech shirt. I find that it usually doesn't get any wetter than it would from the sweat on the run anyway.

I also agree that you should focus on staying dry prior to the race. Garbage bags, grocery bags for the feet, whatever it takes to stay dry. You do NOT want to start the race already wet.

I'm not sure how much running you've done in the rain, but it actually isn't too bad. Sometimes very refreshing depending on the temps. Just watch out for those puddles to try to keep your feet as dry as possible!

Steve

 

[cewait]

I second everything Charles said above. Especially about the billed cap or visor. Keep that rain off your face and you will feel so much better. I also don't wear rain gear unless it is really pouring. Usually just a LS tech shirt. I find that it usually doesn't get any wetter than it would from the sweat on the run anyway.

I also agree that you should focus on staying dry prior to the race. Garbage bags, grocery bags for the feet, whatever it takes to stay dry. You do NOT want to start the race already wet.

I'm not sure how much running you've done in the rain, but it actually isn't too bad. Sometimes very refreshing depending on the temps. Just watch out for those puddles to try to keep your feet as dry as possible!

Steve

I am about to get FLAMED


I LOVE running in a light rain. Hate downpours but a light showerey type rain is almost pleasant. That is unless it's 37F with a 20 mph wind. Brrrrr.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Right now my favorite pair of running shoes is a pair of Gore-tex trail shoes. I will be all set from the dry feet standpoint. I have a GT jacket, but I think I will skip it in favor of a disposable poncho. TIP To keep the hood up on a disposable poncho, wear a ball cap and get a binder clip to attach the hood to the cap. Helps keep you from fighting to keep the hood up all day.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I live in Seattle, so if I didn't run in the rain, I wouldn't run...oh.... 10 months of the year. I never wear a rain jacket while running, but either just wear a long sleeve tech shirt (light rain) or a tighter weave but still breathable and wicking long sleeve top over a short sleeve tech shirt (heavy rain). The heavier layer mostly just keeps the cold and wind out a bit more, but doesn't do anything to keep me dry. I can also roll up the sleeves easily if the rain stops and it warms up - I've done 90% of my long runs like this. Like everyone else suggests, I also wear a hat with a brim to keep the water off my face, and wear my contacts instead of my glasses to get rid of the fog issue.

I'll also admit that I like running in the rain! I don't even mind the soggy shoes, except for that first awful feeling when you drench a shoe and it's suddenly puddling with cold water. UGH! But I find that after that, my socks (I swear by Thor-lo's) do a pretty good job of making my feet feel warm and dry, even when they're not.

 

[cewait]

I'll also admit that I like running in the rain! I don't even mind the soggy shoes, except for that first awful feeling when you drench a shoe and it's suddenly puddling with cold water. UGH! But I find that after that, my socks (I swear by Thor-lo's) do a pretty good job of making my feet feel warm and dry, even when they're not.

IT's alsways that first puddle you find.... hit it with one foot but the other gets drenched from the splash....go figure.

 

[Duanerice]

Another puddle source are the lane lines in the roadway. Due to the way paving equipment works, the lane line is flat and will collect a little puddle. You are destined for a little more camber than expected if you traditionally run the lane line.

I'll have to keep that in mind as once we get out of the crowds I like to run on the flattest part of the road which is usually the lane lines.

I'm OK with the rain if that is the way it is What concerns me the most is that if it never warms up and we run in wet cold temps.

I like the tip about securing your poncho to your hat. Nice tip.

enjoy,
Duane