Long time running, marathon, and running-in-the-rain veteran here.
But I’ve never run an entire marathon in the pouring rain. I’m sure I’ve run dozens of long runs in the rain, PREPARING for a marathon.
Something struck me today, while a driving rain/headwind soaked my vest today…
It there any way to keep my base layer dry, under a vest? I have several windbreaker vests (cycling jackets), several fleece vests, and a Performance rain jacket (the clear non-breathing type). Today I was in a wicking tee shirt with a cycling vest. The headwind soaked them both through. I run in compression shorts, arm warmers, and gloves. These areas seem to be fine.
But the wet/cold torso froze me in a matter of moments, as a result of the rain hitting my chest directly. I was hardly able to use my hands when I returned home. This was a simple four mile run.
Any tips for a windy, pouring marathon? Weather predictions are for just that:** downpours**.
Give me your tips. anything. I’m comfortable and happy running in the rain, and have for over a decade. But this might be a little more…
Maybe make a vest/poncho out of a hefty trash bag and go for it. I did IMLP in 2008 and it rained cats and dogs from start to finish. I was okay in one of those non-breathable clear plastic jackets for the bike and part of the run in that.
I actually like to run in arm warmers in these conditions. You can always take them off and wring them out while running. The key for me is to get to the start line dry, so garbage bags or quick change just before gun time (get a good sherpa). Starting a race wet is the worst.
Let me guess- you are doing CIM? I was wondering the same thing. I was told duct tape the nipples and spread vaseline on the shoes from an ultrarunner buddy!
I had a rainy marathon last year in 35-40 degrees. I wore my regular shorts, a wool baselayer, Smartwool socks, and a water-“proof” convertible vest-jacket. I overheated pronto, took off the jacket, and accepted that I’d be soaked. I don’t know how wool does it, but I was never chilled. It was awesome.
Really, I’m specifically wondering if there is any way to keep my torso dry, without wearing a hard-core rain jacket like my clear cycling rain jacket. You sweat in that thing just looking at it wrong.
Cut a head hole and arm holes out of a garbage bag. If you get too warm, do the hulk thing - the crowd will go wild. Duct tape on the nipples and more vaseline between the toes and over the feet than you ever used before. Cap with a long beak pulled down low. And most of all, thank every volunteer you see - they are having an even worse day than you are.
Headsweats full ball cap. Pull the visor over your eyes.
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I use a normal running ball-cap and pull a skull cap over it. I can roll it up on my head or tuck it in my compression shorts, same as gloves.
what happened today…literally ten minutes after a headwind soaked my torso, I became cold. I’ve heard stories of marathon runners in the rain who freeze and can’t recover. I’m thinking something like that may have happened if today had been longer than a four mile run.
and I run in Smartwool socks, and carry one-shot packets of Butt Buttr. My strategy is to “re-goop” at mile 10 with vaseline found at the aid stations, protecting hot areas.
Cut a head hole and arm holes out of a garbage bag.
John
You know, I may just do that if it’s nasty at the start. Do you think you could wear short sleeve dri-fit and removable arm warmers under a garbage bag, and be ok? That sounds somewhat flexible to be honest. Ditch the bag halfway or if it stops raining, normal clothes remain.
It depends on how cold it is. When it is above about 40 degrees I wear a tight fitting wicking shirt under the garbage bag and keep the bag until I get too warm. As long as I am running and have gloves, I don’t need arm warmers. A couple of other tips - unless it is below freezing, wear shorts, not tights - and regardless of temperature, if is is raining, wear the thinnest and shortest socks you have. Tights and socks soak up a lot of water and add weight - especially below the knees.
Cut a head hole and arm holes out of a garbage bag. If you get too warm, do the hulk thing - the crowd will go wild. Duct tape on the nipples and more vaseline between the toes and over the feet than you ever used before. Cap with a long beak pulled down low. And most of all, thank every volunteer you see - they are having an even worse day than you are.
I wear a tight fitting wicking shirt under the garbage bag and keep the bag until I get too warm. As long as I am running and have gloves, I don’t need arm warmers. A couple of other tips - unless it is below freezing, wear shorts, not tights - and regardless of temperature, if is is raining, wear the thinnest and shortest socks you have. Tights and socks soak up a lot of water and add weight - especially below the knees.
I like arm warmers because they’re easy to ditch in the early miles, and I could actually roll them around my wrist if I’m feeling like I want to keep them. I have friends and family around the 13 mile mark so I could drop them here. My arms tend not to overheat.
Definitely no tights for me, compression shorts. The start has idling buses you can stay in until fifteen minutes before the start, so we have the luxury of staying warm.
Thanks for the info. I will goop up my feet and toes like never before.
Garbage bags to stay as dry as you can before the start, wicking clothing is the best, I am a fan of layers on top in colder/wet temps so if running in the 40-55 degree range I’ve got on an under armour heat gear long sleeve, with a UA short sleeve over the top. A full hat is a must for me in the rain. My hands tend to get cold in the rain so I’ll wear light/tight gloves that I don’t mind tossing later on. Good luck!
It depends on how cold it is. When it is above about 40 degrees I wear a tight fitting wicking shirt under the garbage bag and keep the bag until I get too warm. As long as I am running and have gloves, I don’t need arm warmers. A couple of other tips - unless it is below freezing, wear shorts, not tights - and regardless of temperature, if is is raining, wear the thinnest and shortest socks you have. Tights and socks soak up a lot of water and add weight - especially below the knees.
My chiro commented on the number of injuries he saw at the 2011 Seattle Marathon, which was wet even by Seattle standards. Wet shoes, socks and tights over all those miles did a number on folks. Made me wonder whether it would be worth it to stash a pair of dry shoes along the course if those conditions were expected.
I had a rainy marathon last year in 35-40 degrees. I wore my regular shorts, a wool baselayer, Smartwool socks, and a water-“proof” convertible vest-jacket. I overheated pronto, took off the jacket, and accepted that I’d be soaked. I don’t know how wool does it, but I was never chilled. It was awesome.
What kind of wool base layer are we talking about? I’m desperate to figure this out before CIM on Sunday. Temps mid 50’s with heavy rain and wind. Considering a trash bag versus a brooks LSD lite iii jacket, but I’ll be pissed to throw away a new jacket. I’m not sure if just letting myself get wet early is the key or wear the barrier until it soaks through or I’m sweating too much.
It depends on how cold it is. When it is above about 40 degrees I wear a tight fitting wicking shirt under the garbage bag and keep the bag until I get too warm. As long as I am running and have gloves, I don’t need arm warmers. A couple of other tips - unless it is below freezing, wear shorts, not tights - and regardless of temperature, if is is raining, wear the thinnest and shortest socks you have. Tights and socks soak up a lot of water and add weight - especially below the knees.
My chiro commented on the number of injuries he saw at the 2011 Seattle Marathon, which was wet even by Seattle standards. Wet shoes, socks and tights over all those miles did a number on folks. Made me wonder whether it would be worth it to stash a pair of dry shoes along the course if those conditions were expected.
I just looked at a website where a runner detailed how they fixed shower caps to each shoe, actually tucking it under the laces, then duck taping on the bottom. It would have to rain pretty friggin hard…
Would cycling shoe covers work in this situation? I have plenty, some are actually old and have had a good life, wouldn’t be heartbroken losing them. The TOASTIE type covers?