Running in the rain
Rain always seems more impressive from your cosy cocoon, in the warm and dry. The most difficult thing is to motivate yourself to get out through the door, but unless you’re made out of sugar, it's really not so bad once you’re out there. Just follow these few tips to get the most out of any damp training sessions…
Running in the summer rain doesn’t involve much change in the way you dress for your training session. Just avoid thundery rain! However, if it’s rainy AND cold, you will need a few well chosen layers to avoid hypothermia. The most important layer is the one closest to your skin: don’t wear a cotton T-shirt but rather a technical fabric (such as polypropylene or Coolmax®). It will prevent the rain from getting to your skin whilst allowing your sweat to be wicked away from the body through evaporation.
Opt for a waterproof or breathable coat or jacket. If there’s one common mistake to be avoided, it’s being overdressed in terms of the number of layers. More layers aren’t synonymous with less moisture, quite the contrary in fact! The rule: dress according to the temperature, as if it’s dry outside, and then add a water-resistant jacket offered in a matching set by the main running brands. Save the Gore-Tex® for the winter…
Another essential element for running in the rain is the hat or cap. It will become your best running partner as it protects the head, the face and the eyes from the downpour, which is safer and more practical. Thanks to a hat or cap, you’ll be able to see everything around you, but you mustn’t forget to be highly visible yourself. Rain leads to poor visibility: go for a light-coloured jacket with reflective strips on it. As for shoes, avoid puddles to keep your feet as dry as possible and don’t forget to dry your shoes out once you’re back at home. The best way to do this is to stuff them with newspaper. This helps the shoes keep their shape, and the paper draws the moisture away from the shoes.
A final tip: don’t wear cotton socks, as they will cause blisters, but go for an acrylic or polypropylene fabric.
And now you’re ready to go running! Once you’re in the rain and warmed-up, you’ll find that you actually enjoy these slightly damp conditions. In any case it's good preparation if you have to run an official race in the rain and the shower afterwards is something
