Tips for Running 13.1 in the rain?

[cloudnut220]

Ok, I know this is going to sound silly, but does anyone have any tips for doing a half in the rain? After a full week of glorious weather, the pattern looks like its going to shift just in time for my half on Sunday. I had high hopes of PRing in this race, but now I'm not so sure. Why? Because I've never really run outside in a steady rain. In a mist/drizzle yes, but steady rain, no. I've always been blessed with good weather during events or gone inside when the weather was really bad.

Does anyone have any tips for surviving a half in the rain?

 

[ludari]

Ok, I know this is going to sound silly, but does anyone have any tips for doing a half in the rain? After a full week of glorious weather, the pattern looks like its going to shift just in time for my half on Sunday. I had high hopes of PRing in this race, but now I'm not so sure. Why? Because I've never really run outside in a steady rain. In a mist/drizzle yes, but steady rain, no. I've always been blessed with good weather during events or gone inside when the weather was really bad.

Does anyone have any tips for surviving a half in the rain?

I have a 12K this weekend and they are predicting rain as well. Anyway, I've run 4 miles in the rain with a rain coat on a few occasions and after about a mile or so I tend to get really hot. Maybe you can run with a plastic trash bag and toss it later but that will trap the heat like a rain coat, however the good thing is you can toss it at some point. If the temperature is decent and not too cold I just prefer to run and get wet. If it's cold I will add a long sleeve compression top. I do wear a hat which keeps the rain out of my face. I hope this helps, good luck with your half.

 

[rubato]

When I run in the rain, I make sure to wear a hat with a brim to keep the rain out of my eyes. The rest of me can be drenched, but not my face. Your shoes and socks will get really soggy. Be prepared with a change of footwear and a towel after the race. Don't wear a white shirt! Be careful on down hills. I've fallen before.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I agree with wearing a tech hat if you have one.

Also, be careful of puddles. Wet socks are gross.

Good luck! My first HM was 2:20:00, and my second was 2:20:28 (two weeks later), and then I PR'ed with a 2:14:xx and then a 2:10:28. You're going to do great.

 

[FFigawi]

One of my marathons this past winter was in the rain, and the most important thing that got me through it was a positive attitude. If you go into your race telling yourself that this sucks, rain sucks, I'm not having any fun, etc., you'll have a miserable race. Viewing the conditions as just another challenge to be dealt with will make your race go much better. Other tips: wear a hat, use lots of Body Glide on your feet, lace your shoes tight to help keep your feet from sliding around.

 

[fashionista311]

I've never raced a half in the rain yet (knock on wood) but I have run in rain before. If it's cool enough, waterproof jacket is great - but only if it's a cold rain. Otherwise, normal tech gear.

I think everyone has covered mostly everything too - Definitely a hat to block the rain. I also have these fabulous tech sunglasses with interchangeable lens, and I put in a pair of clear lens for the rain. The glasses really helped keep the water out of my eyes. Even a pair of normal lightweight sunglasses would work - as long as it's not too dark so you can't see. Bodyglide is a savior, and absolutely no cotton socks (not that you should be using those to begin with!). Also if you are going to be standing around a bunch - I covered my running shoes with shopping bags and tight them off, so at least my shoes weren't soaked BEFORE I actually started racing. And definitely have some warm, dry clothes waiting - you'll heat up pretty fast when you start running, and it will take you a few minutes to cool down when you finish - but when your body temp drops to normal, it hits you hard

Good luck! I'm sure you will be just fine and have a great race!

 

[cloudnut220]

thanks guys!

Why the BodyGlide for the feet? I've actually never used BodyGlide anywhere, because I've never had a problem with chaffing or blisters (I just have one toenail that gets a black spot whenever I run longer than 10 miles). Is there a place I should put it in particular on my feet? All over? I never run in anything cotton (My soon to be brother in law works for Under Armour, so he keeps me well stocked in the magic polyester apparel).

I know I can run in the rain. Now I can just obsess about the big hill at mile 4...

 

[kim3339]

A couple more tips~ bring extra garbage bags for the pre-race. You can put your feet in them to protect your shoes from getting wet before the race starts. Plus, you can cut holes in the bottom of one to protect yourself.

Another would be don't wear a loosefit top, wear a close fitting one if you don't already. The extra material will absorb the water and just get heavy on you. Good luck!!

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I live in Seattle, so running outside from October to May... it's rare to NOT be running in the rain.

The hat is definitely good advice, make sure you have good socks that "feel dry" even when they're drenched (I like Thorlos for this... but I wouldn't go out and buy new socks at this point... that's only asking for blisters if you've never tried them before), and dress one step warmer than you would normally dress for the same temperature but dry (ie. if I would normally wear a short sleeve shirt for the temperature, I would wear a long sleeve if it was pouring).

Other than that, I don't bother about keeping dry at all. As long as you're moving, you'll be warm. I actually run my fastest in the rain - I've never PR-ed on a dry course, but I seem to always PR in the rain.

 

[FFigawi]

Why the BodyGlide for the feet? I've actually never used BodyGlide anywhere, because I've never had a problem with chaffing or blisters (I just have one toenail that gets a black spot whenever I run longer than 10 miles). Is there a place I should put it in particular on my feet? All over?

I only use it on my feet when it's wet too. You want it on and between your toes to help prevent blisters. Wet shoes and socks, even tech socks, can rub and chafe more than expected, and there's nothing worse than blisters in the rain halfway through a race. Body Glide is cheap and easy to apply, so I always feel it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[cloudnut220]

I only use it on my feet when it's wet too. You want it on and between your toes to help prevent blisters. Wet shoes and socks, even tech socks, can rub and chafe more than expected, and there's nothing worse than blisters in the rain halfway through a race. Body Glide is cheap and easy to apply, so I always feel it's better to be safe than sorry.

thanks! going to pick up my packet at the running store soon, so I'll pick some up.

 

[hops&dreams]

It rained a little during my first half last weekend, but I kept thinking to myself "Hey, this is better than it being 90° outside!" A little bit of optimism goes a long way!

And I was super glad I wore my hat and Under Armour socks. My friend (who did the half with me and had on c9 socks from Target) wishes she had put body glide on her feet and tied her shoes tighter. They stretch out a smidge when wet.

Good luck! you'll do great!

 

[cyberjoek]

One little warning: if you're running on a well traveled road that hasn't gotten rain in a while for the first half hour or so after it starts to rain it will be more slippery than you would expect. It only matters if it hasn't rained in a while and the road sees some car use (it's a buildup of gunk issue). I twisted my ankle quite badly because I wasn't careful on a newly slick road (the joys of California Running).

Other wise I agree with the rest of the thread. You will get wet, there is no avoiding that fact. If you expect it to be a cold rain then those throwaway handwarmers are your friend.

-Joe Kavanagh

 

[cloudnut220]

Thanks for the tips! I haven't made a decision on whether I should wear slightly warmer clothes or not. Race day temps are supposed to be in the 60s for the duration of the race, so I'll probably go with a tech t and shorts. If it was going to be sunny, I would do the sleeveless thing.

The race folks were funny at packet pickup. They told me they had rented lots of tents (I guess it rained last year and they didn't have tents), so they were certain it WOULDN'T rain. Here's hoping they're right!

 

[J3nn78]

I have a 5k today and it is raining. I have not run in the rain yet. I have been lucky the last 1.5 years I guess.
I am toying with backing out as it is just a 5k, only was $10, and I am nervous to take any chances with my knee (had surgery in January)
On the flip side, it is my DHs first race ever. I don't know what to do. Maybe I will just be his cheering squad or run slow with him.


I don't have any body glide as I have never had a blister or chafing problems, even in the full. Anything that I can use instead? That I might have laying around at home?

 

[cloudnut220]

So after all of this, it didn't actually rain during the race. It's was super humid and thicker than pea soup, but no actual rain

 

[Princess Roo]

So after all of this, it didn't actually rain during the race. It's was super humid and thicker than pea soup, but no actual rain

That's great! A reward for being prepared. I hope you had a great race!

 

[cloudnut220]

I had a fantastic race. I PRed by 11 minutes!

 

[hops&dreams]

oh my, you smashed your old PR to teeny tiny pieces!

Great job!

 

[cloudnut220]

Thanks! I am really really happy about it! I'm already hoping this means I can do something even better at Rock n' Roll Philly in September!