Wet weather running... help please!

I admit I'm a dry weather runner! There's not been much of that about recently in my neck of the woods.

I went out today and in 10 minutes I was getting very damp, so headed for home. My feet stay nice and dry, but it's everywhere else that gets a good soaking.

I'm not just a wimp... I'm recovering from a few bugs, sniffles and sneezes and don't want to risk another!

I have a 5K race coming up, and looking at this wet winter, the chances are it is likely to still be raining in early March. I want to run, but what should I wear to stay dry?

Or, do I run on regardless, getting wet and rely on the heat I generate after 15 minutes to not care?

Or, do I layer up my three kagouls, one on top of the other and peel off one layer at a time?

What do you wear? Any tips gratefully received! Thank you

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

I wear a lightweight running cap (not waterproof) to keep the rain off my face. I also have a lightweight, water- resistant running jacket - again, doesn’t keep me totally dry but I don’t like getting too hot on a run, so it’s slight breathability works well for me. If it’s not raining heavily, I most often stick with just the cap. As for feet - I don’t mind getting them wet anyway, as I run a lot on muddy bridleways so wet feet is something I’m used to!🙂

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you! I'll get a cap, wear one kagoul and brave it! I run on trails and pathways so I can avoid mud and my running shoes seem to be waterproof enough for where I run. I did wonder if I kept going past the 15 minutes, I probably wouldn't mind or get too cold. Who knows - it may help me run the 5K faster!

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Get all your gear on and do some warm up exercises before heading out 🙂

You do get used to the weather the more you run in it 👍

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

I'll do the warm ups and work on not avoiding the rain in future!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

That could be me! x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

I just accept I’m going to get wet. My main piece of kit is a sandwich bag to keep my phone dry! I like my cheapo, light windproof jacket which isn’t waterproof. The trouble with waterproof is you get the boil in the bag effect which is often worse than being wet. I hear the expensive ones are better for this!

If you’ve got the facilty available, clean dry clothes for the end of a wet race will feel wonderful!

[misswobble Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

my fave run jacket was £6.99 from Aldi. I got the matching cap with light in the brim 😀

I have a waterproof jacket but I use it only rarely, eg 32 km run last November in pouring rain on my last training run before a marathon It was from Decathlon.

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

A cap is a good idea. I'm not intending to train for anything longer than 5k (yet!) The light water-resistant is probably enough for 40 minutes, once I get over my irrational fear of being wet.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to misswobble]

I love decathlon! And Aldi! And any bargains generally!! My jacket is karrimor via Sports Direct sale…£5 and it’s ideal for what I want. Sometimes cheap and cheerful just works!

[Hidden in reply to MissUnderstanding]

That is a bargain! I'll take a look at Sports Direct. Thank you

[misswobble Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

My husband bought me a Karrimor X-Light hooded run shower-resistant jacket one Christmas. It’s got two side zipped pockets, a zipped phone pocket at the shoulder and a huge zipped back pocket. It’s got reflective detailing all over it and a large reflective piece on the back. It’s ventilated at the back too. I got various X-Light headbands and gloves too. Good idea to be visible from Mars when running in the dark 😀

[Hidden in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Sandwich bag for my phone is a great tip. Thank you! I already come home feeling like I've been boiled in the bag I generate so much heat! I'll be driving over, so I'll change in the car if needs be. Good idea - thank you

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏Such a good question as many will feel as you do. Many years ago when we first went caravanning and I was having a good moan about putting up the tent in the wind and rain, the lady in charge of the campsite said to me “Annie, make friends with the weather or you will never enjoy camping!!”The first time I had to run in the rain I remembered her words and decided then and there I wouldn’t miss a run because of rain. To be honest I have missed plenty or at least put them off but generally speaking I embrace the rain and have come to love rainy runs. I too wear my normal gear, protect my phone & if it’s winter wear my windproof jacket. Absolutely essential is my peaked cap 🧢 to keep the rain off my glasses! Have you listened to Coach B on NRC App Rainy Day Run.. worth a listen! Hope your 5K training is going well.

[Hidden in reply to Annieapple]

"making friends with the weather" is such a great tip - thank you! I have been dodging wet runs all winter and I need to get over it and change my mindset. Unfortunately I don't have access to the apps as my phone is so basic.

I was on target for my 5K up until a month ago, but after some low level infections I've been struggling. It feels as if my fitness has gone back two months. I feel weary right from the start and I can't manage the inclines again. So I've gone back to doing 20-30 minutes of slow, easy runs and walk when I need to. There's three weeks to go, so if I don't have any more set-backs, I'll be OK if I keep going.

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to Hidden]

🍏You are so doing the right thing listening to your body! Every time you get out and run you are a winner & you are setting yourself up for another run! Do what feels right and comfortable for you at the moment. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Annieapple]

Ah, thank you for that. I have felt disappointed with myself, but yes, doing something, and struggling, is better than doing nothing. 😘

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

I’ve listened to all C ‘s weather related runs 😍. They’re very good 👍🏃‍♀️

[Susiepaul Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Have you found a way to stop your glasses steaming up? A sweaty face and cold rain are not a good combo!

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to Susiepaul]

I always carry one of those glasses cloths with me but generally if I wear a peak they don’t seem to fog up. (I know some runners pay for anti fog glasses when renewing prescriptions.)

[Madge50 Graduate]

Hi there, I love running in all weathers, well I draw the line at ice and a monsoon…..but I love it, it makes me feel alive!

I too use a cap, as a glasses wearer I can’t stand rain getting on my glasses, means I can’t see….😂….I also get hot, so I look at the temperature more so, as a rule of thumb, I add 10 degrees to whatever the outside temp is and dress accordingly…..if it’s windy I might add a light layer….

However, skin is waterproof and I don’t mind a spritz from rain - cools you down….

I have been caught in monsoonish down pours, I just had to laugh at myself and keep going….no point in stopping, I’d only get cold! Once, I came past a guy in what looked like a full sou’wester outfit….he gave me a bit of an odd look, I just grinned, said good morning and off I went….😂

Key thing for me - especially during the winter - is to get out of wet/cool clothes as soon as possible on return, your body will cool down rapidly once you stop

So, have a go, you never know you might like it…….oh, one thing I have learned, if you run near or next to roads, keep an eye on roadside puddles and passing cars…..an impromptu shower can take you by surprise - drivers rarely give any thought to pedestrians when driving over or through puddles…..

Mx

[Leotigris Graduate in reply to Madge50]

and some drivers drive through puddles on purpose. They seem to delight in drenching pedestrians and will swerve and speed up in order to do so as spectacularly as possible.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Madge50]

I’ve been tsunamied often ☹️🌊. Sticking to trails away from traffic is the way to avoid it but that brings you into more mud and puddles. Lesser of two evils 😀

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Today's run involved mud and puddles... negotiating those is definitely better than a tidal wave! 😬

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Hidden]

indeed 🙂. I was doing fast intervals on the muddy trail yesterday. Allegedly 😁. There was so much mud and puddles that I was zig-zagging all over the place. Fun though 😁🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to Madge50]

Thank you - great advice. I don't mind getting wet, it's getting wet and cold. I suppose my mindset is still pre-running, when getting wet outside in winter inevitably meant getting cold. I'll try out a rainy run and see how it goes!

I can take a dry change of clothes in the car for the 5K race.

I'm lucky to live near several trails and parks so I don't have to run along roads for long and these stretches are all on slopes so there's nowhere for puddles to form! However, I'll remember this in case I run on roads in future.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Hidden]

wet and cold is the pits, so avoid that scenario if at all possible. I love a merino base layer but not if rain looks likely If it looks rainy I go for a technical run top that will wick moisture

It’s not always possible to get it right every time. In poor weather I try not to stray too far from home 🙂.

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

I've just bought some of the wick fabric leggings and tops from Regatta, who've very kindly got up to 70% off sale on at the moment! I'll will wear these under a kagoul if it's wet. Plus try all the other tips suggested on this thread.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

There are two issues wrapped up in this; cold and wet, and warm and wet. Cold and wet I deal with by having a thin waterproof running jacket. This sits on top of two layers (an under layer and a running shirt). It wasn’t cheap, but I bought it six years ago and it looks as though it will outlast me.

Warm and wet requires either my very thin nearly waterproof top over a shirt, or if it is really warm, I often just get wet!

The main thing is don’t be cold and wet! I don’t like to let the weather stop me running. Once I am out of the door, I usually forget the rain and just focus on the run. But; we are all different 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes, that's so true. I don't mind getting wet, it's getting wet and cold. I suppose my mindset is still pre-running, when getting wet outside in winter inevitably meant getting cold. However I know I generate so much heat when running, so this shouldn't put me off. I'll try out a rainy run and see how it goes!

[Jell6 Graduate]

I'm just about to go out now and it's raining. Once you're wet through you're not going to get any wetter. I tried a lightweight running jacket, but it got so soaked it just seemed to stick to me. So that was a no.

I do try to avoid puddles as I hate squelchy trainers, also they conceal potholes!

It's mild today, so I might do my first shorts run of 2024🌦🌦🌦🌦🌦

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Fail for me today….(didn’t adhere to my own advice …e.g add 10 degrees…🙄) .it was boiling! Should have gone out in vest and shorts! 🥵😂…..

Mx

[Tasha99 Graduate]

embrace the rain and get wet. For 5k, you’ll be fine. Just take a change of clothes.

[Hidden in reply to Tasha99]

Yes! Thank you I suppose my mindset is still pre-running, when getting wet outside in winter inevitably meant getting cold. However I know I generate so much heat when running, so this shouldn't put me off. I'll try out a rainy run and see how it goes! And I'll take a change of clothes for the 5K.

[Week7 Graduate]

So long as you can avoid getting cold a splishy splashy rainy run can be fun! I tend to get very hot when running and find rain to be brilliant for cooling me . Once I reach that "can't get any wetter " stage I frequently find myself giggling as I run through puddles. Then returning home soaking wet- wet clothes straight to washing machine, warm shower, hot drink... perfect. Getting dry quickly is the key. I find that I get cold very quickly after a wet run.-and the plastic sealable sandwich bag for the phone...

Good luck in the 5k!!! Dry clothes (and a towel) in the car , and maybe a flask of coffee?

[Hidden in reply to Week7]

Thank you! I'm now reassured that I won't dissolve! 😂 I must just give it a go.

Taking a towel and warm drink is a great idea - thank you!

[Week7 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Can't guarantee you won't dissolve but odds are against it!!Embrace the sogginess!!😊

[Hidden in reply to Week7]

😬 😂

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Week7]

yes it’s fun isn’t it 😁. Like being a kid again 👍