How do you run in the rain

I used to fear cold/rainy/windy conditions for training and racing.

But then I did the Surf City Half earlier this year and I don't fear it any more

I figured out that running in the rain is no different than running in cool weather. I never felt cold and regardless of precipitation, I am usually wet for most of my longer runs anyway. I did notice my shoes were a little heavier than normal but I wore thinner socks so they would not absorb as much water during the race.

The only bummer was that I had to take a shuttle back to my car and I got quite cold soon after the race was over:

I wore a tech shirt, fleece arm warmers over a Tri Suit with pockets so I had a place to stash my warmers if I got too warm in them. And my trusty Gu Throw away gloves that I actually did not throw away.

You can try making a poncho out of a hefty trash bag to keep you somewhat dry in the early miles but I tend to overheat in them and usually toss it by the first mile

Embrace the bad weather as an opportunity to train in conditions you might very well find yourself racing in. Any race you can be better prepared than the competition is a good one

Thanks guys. I'm not afraid to run in inclement weather....I've run in a t-storm before (not on purpose) and got thoroughly drenched and lightning only struck just as I got back to the car!

My concern is the length of the run, my first 12 mile long run, and what I can do to prevent blisters and chafing while running in those conditions. I don't mind getting wet, afterall, I do triathlons and I can swim if it does flood.

Since I'm a girl, I can't very well go shirtless. I plan to wear my regular tech material tank and running shorts, don't have gore-tex for shoes, so I'll settle on my running shoes. I don't have time to run out to buy fancy socks, nor do I know if there are any stores here that sell the dri-fit ones. I will use Bodyglide on my feet though, I've never done that before and as for trash bags or whatever to keep dry....unless it's already raining at the start, I'll probably take my chances since I heat up easily. I think I'll stay with the cap to use the bill as shelter from the rain should it pour.

Anyone with any ideas? No, I'm not wearing goggles on the run.....

Don't overlook the mental boost of training in the rain.  I always liked training/ racing in the rain because I felt like my competitors were probably taking the day off or were complaining more about the weather than focusing on their race.

Also, when you get home, stuff your wet shoes full of newspapers to dry.  I wouldn't put them in direct sunlight but definitely newspaper.  They may even be ready to go the next day.

If it is going to be a really hard rain, I will use more BodyGlide, especially where my HRM strap hits my chest.  I might also wear a baseball hat to keep the rain out of my eyes for as long as it holds out.  Other than that, no change.  Rain running is really not bad at all.

x2 on the wool socks. I love Smartwool socks and wore a pair of those during the 10-miler that I ran where it rained/was pretty wet basically the entire morning. After the race, my socks had definitely gotten wet, but wool doesn't absorb water the way other materials do. I had no blisters and my feet were comfortable during the whole race - even stepping in a couple of ginormous puddles.

Funny, I just went for a 14-miler yesterday and it POURED from mile 8 to 11, cars pulling over to the side of the road and everything.  Like you mentioned, I had a hat on which allows you to see well and secondly, I thought about all the boys and girls who just did Lake Placid and it poured all day!!  Mentally I said to myself, "If my BT friends can do a full IRONMAN in the rain, I can do a two hour run in the rain."

After my long runs I always take an ice bath, and I sware (at least for me) it helps with the blisters.  I also put lotion on my blisters after I take a shower and dry my feet.  I just use regular Asics running socks and for the most-part they keep me blister free and dry pretty quickly.