Racing in the rain?

[Wines Not Whines]

The current prediction for my half marathon on Saturday morning is low 40s, overcast, and 60% chance of rain. I have raced in the rain before, but I probably could've planned better for it.

What would you wear for these conditions? 

Any tips for staying dry before the start? I'll be taking public transit, and if it's raining, I don't think there will be anywhere near the start line to stay out of the rain. I know about wearing a garbage bag, but that doesn't help with my head. Would it be crazy to wear a light rain jacket with hood and then stuff it in my gear bag right before I check it? Any other ideas?

[joenali]

Garbage over your clothes while you wait, lots of body glide on your feet.

[grk2012]

I ran a pouring-down-rain half once, after they delayed for 2hr so the lightning would stop. I got WICKED awful blisters, depsite BG on my feet. Use a LOT of it. Everywhere. Have a dry change of clothes double-bagged in your gear check for after. Don't forget dry shoes!

[kams]

If you can wear a rain jacket with hood that you can check, I think that's a good idea. I would also be sure to wear a hat with a brim & to body glide every potential problem area (sports bra seams, under arms, feet, thighs).

Good luck to you!

eta: and yes! Dry clothes to change into!

[JayTea]

I'm running this too - I'm going to run in a rain jacket and have a colleague meet me around mile 7 with extra body glide, socks and shoes.  Not looking forward to it anymore.

[mrshandy]

Boooo!!!

That's what I have to say to this. I'm so bummed. H and DS were going to meet me after the race. Now, I don't think I'm going to tell them to come.

I'm sick with a cold too. I thought it was just allergies. But now I'm thinking it's a cold.

I'm planning on bring a garbage bag and poncho. I'll check the poncho since it wasn't cheap. I need to go out tonight to buy a running jacket. I have one, but I don't really like it much. I'm hoping to find something on sale.

[Deleted]

If you have a hat, wear that and wrap it in plastic until race start. I use a headsweats hat.

Someone also said to wrap your shoes in bags so they stay dry or take old tennis shoes/socks to wear and switch at the start of the race so at least you don't start with soggy feet.

[Wines Not Whines]

Those of you running it - what are you planning to wear? I'm trying to decide if I should wear capris or thin tights.

[SuziSaysDa]

I did a race in pouring rain a few years ago - it was surprisingly one of my better times for that period of my running life. I think the rain was a great distraction.

My hat was a must, I did a trash bag for the start and my DH met me about half way with fresh shoes, socks, and hat. It gave me an extra boost mid-race, even though they did not stay dry for long. But, by then I had learned to skip the puddles, so they were not the heavy buckets my first set of shoes had become.

I've got nothing for keeping dry before, maybe a plastic shopping bag for your head - it will be super cute.

[JayTea]

Mar 14, 2013 9:28:59 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Those of you running it - what are you planning to wear? I'm trying to decide if I should wear capris or thin tights.

I was going to wear capris, but I'm going to wear tights, a sports bra, nike dri fit shirt and a rain jacket.  Possibly a hat depending on what I can find.

Is anyone going to the expo today?  I'm wondering how they are going to enforce the "only picking up your own packet + 1 or it's 20 dollars" rule.

[CallingAllAngels]

I ran a 10 mile race last month in the rain. It was pouring for the the start, and then it pretty much stopped until mile 9. I didn't do anything different except put my phone in a plastic bag. I figured it was just postponing the inevitable. I was soaked for the start, but my feel actually dried pretty quickly (at least until I stepped in the next puddle). Good luck!!

[katinthehat]

A hat and sunglasses. Even if it's cloudy and darkish, the sunglasses will keep the rain from getting in your eyes if it decides to come in sideways.

I might even be tempted to run in just a lightweight breathable rain jacked and sports bra if you could take it. Although, strike that. You're going to get wet no matter what.

Take a sample of BG and stick it in a spi belt or pocket if you can. Also, baby powder at the finish line will help you dry your feet quickly.

[ebeth]

here is my plan for Saturday. still in formulation stages. this is the steady rain plan. may scale back some of the clothes if it's looking more drizzly.

to race: capris, ls compression shirt w/ short sleeve layered atop, baseball cap thingy, gloves, lots of aquaphor
to metro+stand around: race wear + pants, ls, jacket (water proof), gloves, knit hat

in bag to check: dry pants and long sleeve in a plastic grocery bag (gloves to race will also go in here and be removed pre-checking) with 1-2 more plastic grocery bags. potentially wet jacket will go into one plastic bag. wet gloves, hat, and ls in another.

I live near the finish so I'll probably just put on my dry shirt and waterproof jacket and slog it home. after I drink my chocolate milk.

[mrshandy]

jaytea - I'm headed over there today. I'll probably leave pretty soon. Only picking up my own packet.

I think I'm wearing capris, but I'll double check on the temperature closer to the race to confirm.

[ebeth]

Mar 14, 2013 9:22:19 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Boooo!!!

That's what I have to say to this. I'm so bummed. H and DS were going to meet me after the race. Now, I don't think I'm going to tell them to come.

I'm sick with a cold too. I thought it was just allergies. But now I'm thinking it's a cold.

I'm planning on bring a garbage bag and poncho. I'll check the poncho since it wasn't cheap. I need to go out tonight to buy a running jacket. I have one, but I don't really like it much. I'm hoping to find something on sale.

check the clearance bins at the expo!  they are probably littered with 2012 NY marathon gear for rock bottom prices! 

my waterproof running jacket is a score from MCM expo clearance bins.  it's a 2010 NYCM jacket.  I got it for $60! and it just so happens that I ran NYCM in 2010.

[ebeth]

I'm being a PW, but whatevs.

keep in mind that the gear check bags will probably not be waterproof. they gave us reusable backpack thingys for gear check last year.

[gt7301b]

I'm just running a 5k so I am planning to go with shorts, drifit top, waterproof jacket, and a hat. If it isn't raining that hard I'll ditch the jacket. The only must have is the hat to keep the water out of my face.

[mrshandy]

I'm back. The t-shirts are a nice blue. I think I like them better than last year. The gear check bags are most definitely not water proof.

[JayTea]

Mar 14, 2013 11:52:17 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

I'm back. The t-shirts are a nice blue. I think I like them better than last year. The gear check bags are most definitely not water proof.

Was it crowded?  I'm about to metro over there.

I got my t-shirt in the mail back in January.  Not really sure why??

[Wines Not Whines]

Mar 14, 2013 11:52:17 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

I'm back. The t-shirts are a nice blue. I think I like them better than last year. The gear check bags are most definitely not water proof.

Thanks for the report. Was there a line to get in? I'm going to head over tomorrow morning.

[JayTea]

Mar 14, 2013 15:21:21 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Mar 14, 2013 11:52:17 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

I'm back. The t-shirts are a nice blue. I think I like them better than last year. The gear check bags are most definitely not water proof.

Thanks for the report. Was there a line to get in? I'm going to head over tomorrow morning.

No lines today and everything was moving fast.

[ebeth]

No lines when I went after work. Bring a CAC if you have one. Much less screening

[spunkypenguin]

It might be raining for my half on Sunday too  I'm just planning to wear my regular clothes, putting on extra body glide and rolling with it.

[zoidberg]

I did a much shorter race (5 mile) in those conditions and honestly it was great. I just wore running tights, a t-shirt and a light jacket. I also just went ahead and got wet while I was waiting (no option really) because I figured I would be soaked soon enough anyway.

Nothing feels better than the hot shower you will take when you get home.

[Wines Not Whines]

Mar 14, 2013 18:10:16 GMT -5 ebeth said:

No lines when I went after work. Bring a CAC if you have one. Much less screening

Sorry, what is CAC?