How to encourage myself to run in the rain

[MoliJ]

Decided to run today to beat the deluge that is forecast for the next few days as I hate running in the rain. I am really trying not to be a fair weather runner but I really hate rain and wind. Unfortunately I am not going to be able to avoid them as I live near the coast in North Wales. I keep reading posts about running in the rain but they do nothing to encourage me to embrace wet runs 😂. I ran 8k today in just over an hour which is good for me. My best pace was 6.10km. My fitness age (I am taking it with a pinch of salt) is falling and is now 52. This is 12 years below my actual age. What I am really please with is I have now run over 100 miles since the beginning of July considering I only ran 3.9k in August due to injury. If anyone had told me I could have run that distance when I started C25k in March I wouldn’t have believed them. I am supposed to be running 5k with damienair on Saturday in the (not) park run but the local forecast is for strong winds and heavy rain Thursday , through to Tuesday. Come on all you lovely runners, tell me what to do to get me out in that rain on Saturday please.

[Hidden]

Firstly, I really like your pace and secondly it's very similar to mine! Your progress is just terrific too.

I just think that running in the rain or elements is so liberating and you feel bullet proof after. The hot shower and food after are real reward. For me, I have set days to go and just go whatever it is outside. I personally prefer running in the rain and hope you grow to like it too.

As long as you're consistent then that's the absolute key so don't let the weather dictate your run, you dictate to the weather!

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Good mindset. GTFC I was religiously running Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday but since the weather turned my running days have been all over the place. You are right I really should get back to a routine else I will always be making an excuse not to run.

[Lookslikejames Graduate10]

I wish I could advise but I already love running in the rain! I consider big puddles a treat, as I can soak my feet and legs as I run through them. Personally I prefer cold weather as I run very hot, summer is where I struggle so I have to get out very early.

Hopefully you learn to enjoy rainy runs though, but if not then I guess it’s just a case of being as adequately clothed as possible.

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Lookslikejames]

Thanks, I prefer running in the cold, I too struggle with the heat and also get out early. I do hope I can enjoy rainy runs. Perhaps I need to buy some new running clothes to motivate me. 🏃🏻‍♀️

[Lookslikejames Graduate10 in reply to MoliJ]

To be fair I need to practise what I preach, I still run in shorts and a T-shirt. As winter draws in it would be a good idea for me to get some proper clothes

[StarTwink]

Oh I’m so with you on not liking running in the rain. I can cope with it raining a little, once I’ve started to run. But I can’t bring myself to set off in the rain. I know I won’t dissolve 🤣 but I hate wet feet. Puddles are great in wellies but NOT in running shoes. My running shoes are starting to tear because they have got wet and I stuff them with newspaper’s to dry out. I can do cold & dull but my feet don’t like running in the rain. Good luck with finding a solution.

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to StarTwink]

Glad I am not the only one to not want to run in the rain 😜

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

I only like running in the rain if my torso is warm & dry-ish. I have a very light, waterproof & breathable cycling jacket that does the trick. It is lined with a super thin fleece material, so really comfy. I once went on holiday & forgot it - that was not a happy rainy run!😱

I wear glasses, so I also have a running cap to keep the raindrops off them.

It also helps to have an attitude of “once you’re wet, you’re wet.” It’s no big deal if you are warm enough. 😄

If all this encouragement fails...

you could try cycling in the rain - then you will realise how MUCH nicer running in the rain is!😂

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Elfe5]

😂😂😂, I don’t fancy cycling in the rain. Cycling in strong winds is a nightmare. I once did that along the sea front. I had to get off and push it was so scary. What jacket have you got? Luckily I don’t wear glasses. The cap sounds like a good idea.

[Elfe5 60minGraduate in reply to MoliJ]

Yup! I cycle lots, but detest strong headwind or rain - too many experiences of rain or sleet driving into my eyes. 😖

The jacket make is Marmot - it was a gift from my brother, sent from the US many years ago. I don’t know how available that brand is now, but there must be similar things on the market with all those modern breathable weatherproof fabrics. 😄

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Elfe5]

Thanks x

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

I'm one of those rainy run lovers🤣🤣

From the very start of c25k the day dictates my run not the weather and I've stuck to it. I will also be running on Saturday which is strong winds and heavy rain . Just go for it . 😊😊👍👍

[MoliJ Graduate10]

I will be thinking of you on Saturday and if I can steel myself I might join you. Will post if I am successful 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[colinla Graduate10]

I'm like GTFC . Love running in the rain. You do feel more alive after the run. I'll take the rain over a warm sunny day everytime. I don't have much choice so as I stay on the east coast of Scotland and rain is quite often the norm 🤣

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to colinla]

I will let you know if I think you are that mad man on Saturday or Sunday when I next go out 😂

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10]

Well I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who hates running in the rain! I’ve read all the stuff about feeling alive and only being wet and I’ve had three or four goes at it. Like you I live in north wales so rain in winter goes with the territory! I have tried. I have a very lightweight waterproof which is good but it really does not work for me. I’ve decided I’ll have to do a mixture of running every time it’s dry and occasionally just resigning myself to getting wet. I can do it but I don’t have to enjoy it!

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

Hi, glad you are in the hate wet running club too.😂 It’s going to be incredibly difficult to avoid the rain and keep up the momentum of regular running in Wales . I have a running jacket but I hate it as it makes me so sweaty 🥵. I am retired so I don’t have hundreds of pounds to spend on the high end jackets. I think I am going to buy a second pair of shoes to avoid running in wet trainers. Happy running x

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to MoliJ]

Second pair of trainers is a good idea! I'm retired too so I try to use that flexibility to pick my times to run. I manged to keep going over last winter and I'm very determined not to stop. It would be lovely to feel like roxdog below and find it refreshing but I doubt it's going to happen! And I would rather have light rain than really hot sun so that's a start!

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

I am determined to carry on running too. Hope to see you on runs and organised events when COVID is over if it ever is.

[Roxdog Graduate10]

I don't generally like rain, but have learned that running in the rain (not driving, freezing rain) is very refreshing. I would take a deep breath and go for it, you may surprise yourself! I did a long run in the rain this morning and it was just lovely!

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Thank Roxdog, planning to go out Saturday I will be posting how I get on x

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to MoliJ]

Look forward to seeing your post

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That’s a brilliant pace, especially with this grotty weather, we ran in the rain the other day and apart from hardly being able to see through wet glasses it was better than expected,

My fitness age is 55 so not bad, big pinch of salt

Keep running and being an inspiration

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

The fitness age makes me feel fab even if we do have to take it with a big pinch of salt 😂😂😂😜

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MoliJ]

Mine was down to 49 a few weeks ago

Back in January i was very ill with breathing problems and recovery running was slow, i worked up to 8k in April 1 in hr 26 mins and my fitness age was 79 then over the months it’s crept down again, then since I pulled both calf muscles and run slower while they healed it’s crept up again but today went down a year, our next run on the magic plan is 8 k and hoping to get through that in about 1hr 25 min so your time is awesome