Run in the rain?

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.