Running in the rain?

I honestly don’t know if it was a good idea to start my running career when the weather gets rainy and cold. Does the weather affect your training?

[FlyByMe99 Graduate]

I've had 3 C25K runs in the pouring rain and I love it. Whether it's the cooling effect or a mental distraction from any niggles and soreness, I always feel a greater high after the run.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Unless the rain is literally horizontal or it's dangerously icy under foot, then...

... nope.

[Hidden]

I find it really nice to layer up and head out for a run in the rain and cold. You soon warm up and there's such a feeling of relief when you come home and can grab a hot shower and warm up again...rain is such a good distraction and much easier to run in than blistering heat. 😁

[Wordsearch in reply to Hidden]

Thats good to know as its really raining here and its my week 5 run 2 today.

[Hidden in reply to Wordsearch]

I‘ll join you tomorrow in the w5r2 club. 🥳

[Wordsearch in reply to Hidden]

👍🙂

[Wordsearch in reply to Hidden]

Good luck😃

[Wordsearch in reply to Wordsearch]

Thanks 🙂

[Minimoose Graduate in reply to Wordsearch]

I did my week 5 run 1 in the rain yesterday, was the first rainy run since starting but went OK and I am glad to have made it as now I won’t be put off as the days shorten and the weather gets colder and wetter! Well done on your run and good luck for the rest of the challenge!

[Wordsearch in reply to Minimoose]

Thanks 🙂good luck to you too.

[Djboom Graduate]

I’ve had 2 runs in the rain recently and I enjoyed them both. I guess this is because it’s been wet but not really cold once I got going. My view may change as the temperatures get lower.

[Buzzbeebh Graduate]

Yes!my Thursday run didn’t happen on Thursday or Friday due to the rain. Prefer running outdoors, but with the weather getting worse, I’m now thinking I might have to join a gym to run on the treadmill instead. I work full time & cant keep waiting for the weather to turn nice to spend an hour exercising

[Fitbit50 in reply to Buzzbeebh]

The trouble with the Gym is you don’t get the variation of angled road running, like up or down a hill which is good for strength building

[Buzzbeebh Graduate in reply to Fitbit50]

Yes very true. I managed to run in the light rain this morning, but that’s because it’s a Saturday, no work, and I could run when there’s light. Would have to see if I can run when it’s not light and raining (I have a chest torch). Really enjoyed the morning run. 😃

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Yes it does - the winter months make it much better! I started just over a year ago and graduated last November, so I ran right through last winter, even through the flooding. I didn't experience any real weather-related problems until the sun came out. I seriously struggled in the hot weather.

Good luck on your journey, you've made a great decision. 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

Once you get wet you can't get any wetter.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Madge50 Graduate]

Running in the rain is fabulous - as long as it’s not hoofing it down.....I wear a baseball cap as I’m a specs wearer, to keep the rain off my glasses, otherwise I would wear what I normally would for the temperature- e.g there is a guide that recommends dressing as though the outside temp is 10 degrees hotter - because you will get warm......skin is waterproof, rain won’t hurt you....once you’re wet, you’re wet.

The only time I’ve worn several layers and kept them on (a jacket usually comes off fairly quickly as I get warm...so I don’t tend to bother....) was when it was about -3 with an extra wind chill (that was running cross country - not roads...)

Go on, get out there! It’s great!

Mx

[HappyNoodle Graduate]

I like running in the rain apart from soggy feet. Need to invest in some gore tex runners 😃

[Hidden in reply to HappyNoodle]

And I thought it‘s a cheap hobby 🙄😂

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh my.....you wait.....you will be adoring running shoes in no time, and let’s not get started about the running gear you could collect from all manner of retailers.....especially those that have ‘special buys’....😉

I have more faff about deciding what running gear to wear than my everyday clothes......😂......

Although, it still is one of the ‘cheaper’ past times....no gym membership for one..

Mx

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That's your first mistake 😉

[bubblebird123 Graduate]

I adore rain running....unless there is a gale blowing or it's torrential. I started C25K in May and found the heat was more problematic.

I try to do a bit of a warm up before I head out and the brisk walk is brisk to keep the heat.

[mrrun Graduate]

Unless you're an elaborate hairdo afficionado like me, rain in these mild temperatures will not harm you. Running in late January and getting drenched is a bad call though. Weather is what it is, neither good or bad, what's potentially bad is the clothes we wear. Here I've written and commented lots about all things weather but if you need more elaborate answers you can visit my website and read an article about it (too long for this humble post). Hope you find some useful tips!

runmrrun.com/essential-runn...