Run in the rain?

76thrasher

Question for all the runners...I prefer to run outdoors. I have a treadmill at my house but I'm no longer an enthusiast. When it's raining out, but you have a scheduled run, do you throw on a hat and run in the rain--if it's reasonably safe? Or go the treadmill route? Or go back to bed?

zdyb23456

I am not a fan of running in the rain especially if it's cold. I don't like getting my feet wet in my socks.

If my run is 5 miles or less I would do it on the treadmill. Now that my runs are longer I might have to rethink running in the rain...

scorpio516

Dry, wet, hot, cold, rain, snow, sun, outside every day.
There are only three times "rain" is dangerous. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and lightning.

Legs_McGee23

Sometimes I don't even bother with the hat.

MeanderingMammal

76thrasher wrote: »

Question for all the runners...I prefer to run outdoors. I have a treadmill at my house but I'm no longer an enthusiast. When it's raining out, but you have a scheduled run, do you throw on a hat and run in the rain--if it's reasonably safe? Or go the treadmill route? Or go back to bed?

Get wet, or use a treadmill...

Skin is waterproof

mandabeth34

Heavy downpour? Nahhh, that's a treadmill run. But a nice, light rain is refreshing to run through.

KayHBE

I love running in the rain.... I don't melt. The treadmill is so boring.

cforsyth617

I live on the rainy west coast, if I didn't run in the rain, I would never run

N6314P

There's nothing wrong with running in the rain if you can do it safely and don't run for a long time in wet shoes or socks. I've gotten some pretty nasty blisters from wet socks so I am a bit more cautious.

Ready2Rock206

I live in the pacific northwest. Half the 5ks I sign up for end up being in the rain! Really improves run time. If I was just running for the heck of it though I'd probably do the treadmill instead depending on how hard it was raining. Now I just wish I had a treadmill for my dog - raining or not he always needs a daily walk. I haven't melted yet...

MobyCarp

scorpio516 wrote: »

Dry, wet, hot, cold, rain, snow, sun, outside every day.
There are only three times "rain" is dangerous. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and lightning.

You left out hail. Lightning might or might not strike you, but hail *will* beat you up.

fitin50s2

Super heavy downpours I turn to something else such as Spinning. Regular rain. . Outside it is.

MobyCarp

76thrasher wrote: »

Question for all the runners...I prefer to run outdoors. I have a treadmill at my house but I'm no longer an enthusiast. When it's raining out, but you have a scheduled run, do you throw on a hat and run in the rain--if it's reasonably safe? Or go the treadmill route? Or go back to bed?

I have been known to pick my time of day to avoid rain, and I'm not terribly fond of running in a cold rain. THBS, I've had a couple major runs in the rain recently. My last 22 mile run this training cycle was done at 39º F (3º C) with a 10-12 mph ENE wind and rain. It wasn't too bad when I had my pace group with me for the first 18 miles, but the last 3.7 solo (I wimped out by 0.3 mile) were not fun. What kept me going was the thought that even if it's 35º with rain and a 15 mph ENE wind in Hopkinton on April 17, there will still be a Boston Marathon.

Later, I had my last hard tempo workout on a day when it rained all day. It was warmer, in the mid 40s; but it was raining a bit harder, and the rain is suckier if I'm trying to hold T pace (lactic threshold) than if I'm running easy (as I was with the pace group).

So I can say with confidence that I am able to run for over 2 hours, almost 3 hours, in the rain. I am not at all certain that I could stand running more than 30 minutes on a treadmill.

And yes, the ability to quickly get to a warm shower and dry clothes after running in the rain is important to me.

SoleTrainer60

I love exercising outdoors. I walk or jog in the rain or snow. I have a treadmill , but only use it if the weather is unsafe.

76thrasher

You all are inspiring! I need to toughen up. The temp is such that it shouldn't be too uncomfortable if I can just remember the dreaded alternative: the treadmill!

Asher_Ethan

Running in the rain gives me a special high. I LOVE running in the rain. I prefer it.

Djproulx

A few members of my tri club did a marathon last month, so that meant lots of run training in cold, wet (and dark) conditions over the winter. It really wasn't too bad most days.

I don't mind the treadmill for shorter runs, but I "hit the wall" at the 9 mile mark on a treadmill run this winter. Don't want to do that again.

ActivatedAlm0nds

Asher_Ethan wrote: »

Running in the rain gives me a special high. I LOVE running in the rain. I prefer it.

Me too! It's much better than running in the heat. I just make sure to take my waterproof bag for the phone and wear a hat to help keep my glasses from getting too wet.

Op, just make sure you aren't running in a thunderstorm and pay extra attention to the surface and your surroundings.

TimothyFish

I'm more of a "wheel runner". I never start a bicycle ride if it is raining, unless I need to get somewhere at a certain time, but I don't quit if it starts.

Sol_Determine

I run in the rain you just have to dress up accordingly. I live on the east coast so the weather is unpredictable. If the rain is bad to a point where I'm unable to run in I'll just run indoor at my local gym.

VioletRojo

I put on a visor to keep the rain out of my eyes and run. The only weather I won't run in is extreme heat or lightning.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

I live in Durham in the NE of England. If I didn't run in the rain I'd get about 4 runs a year.

Only ice stops me running. I have even ran in lightening storms.

WakkoW

I just don't do extreme weather. I won't go out if it's pouring, but I won't come in if it starts pouring.

Last week we had terrible wind, on garbage day. Branches were taking down power lines. I ran on the treadmill because I didn't want a branch falling on me or being sideswiped by a trash can.

But normal, light rain, yes.

rybo

Depends. If I'm training for something and can't skip, I run. If it's just a random run, depends on the temp & how hard it's raining & my mood.

AmyOutOfControl

Depends, I love running in the light rain. I live in Central Texas so it is usually a relief from the heat and humidity. We do get some wicked storms here (hail, flash floods, tornadoes). Anything more than a light gentle rain I stay indoors for safety.

I actually schedule my daily workouts around the weather report - lol. My runs are scheduled for days with less than 50% rain. The other days I schedule yoga and strength training.

genpopadopolous

I love to run in the rain!

Not a deluge or anything, but a nice refreshing run in the rain is invigorating.

I usually have a kick *kitten* time in the rain.

BruinsGal_91

I went for a six mile run yesterday in 87 deg F heat. It was vile. I'll take a cool rainy day over that every time. But my route took me up and down Heartbreak Hill so I was able to have a good look at how the preparation for Monday's marathon is going. The barriers and signage are ready to be installed.

jgnatca

I live in a cold, dry climate. Rain is rare. I hate running in heat the worst, as I have trouble cooling down. I won't run on ice.

Nearly all weathers are better than the treadmill.

MobyCarp

BruinsGal_91 wrote: »

I went for a six mile run yesterday in 87 deg F heat. It was vile. I'll take a cool rainy day over that every time. But my route took me up and down Heartbreak Hill so I was able to have a good look at how the preparation for Monday's marathon is going. The barriers and signage are ready to be installed.

I think I'd rather have a light rain Monday than 87º F heat. But whatever the weather is, the race isn't going to be canceled.

And that's the argument for running in all weather. Would you run in it on race day, or would you forfeit your entry fee and skip the race? If you'd run in today's weather on race day, run in today's weather today.

oocdc2

Pro-tip: get yourself merino wool socks. Not only are they super comfortable and stink-resistant, they also wick away water/sweat. I only run in merino socks, but I've found running in the rain to be quite comfy since I started using them. They can be expensive, but a lot of times you can find them on clearance at the end of seasons.

I also wear brimmed hats to keep the water out of my eyes.

I'm right there with everyone else, though, that I won't run in tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, or hail; *kitten* that.

MobyCarp

oocdc2 wrote: »

Pro-tip: get yourself merino wool socks. Not only are they super comfortable and stink-resistant, they also wick away water/sweat. I only run in merino socks, but I've found running in the rain to be quite comfy since I started using them. They can be expensive, but a lot of times you can find them on clearance at the end of seasons.

I also wear brimmed hats to keep the water out of my eyes.

I'm right there with everyone else, though, that I won't run in tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, or hail; *kitten* that.

Caution: Get the real wool socks that are designed to be running socks. They aren't 100% wool, they're a wool-synthetic blend. The cheaper 100% wool socks you can find at Sam's Club or similar places don't work as well for running. Smartwool is good, Darn Tough is good, the pair of Feetures wool socks I have seems to have worn out too fast. But then, the Feetures socks were free for finishing 2nd in my age group in a race.

If you buy Darn Tough brand, they come with a lifetime guarantee. $18 or $20 a pair seemed steep in 2011 and 2012; but then I only spent $7 to mail in 5 pair of socks with worn soles and get 5 pair to replace them in 2016. I put an awful lot of miles on those socks before they wore out enough that mailing them in for replacement was more reasonable than just continuing to use them.