I’ve got some questions!
Posted on May 2nd, 2008 by AndrewE
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I’m participating in the Runner’s Lounge Take It and Run Thursday session. This week we have to post questions on our blogs. So here are mine:
Winter is looming for us Southern Hemisphere types and if I want to continue running outside I’ll have to run in the rain.
What wet weather gear do you recommend?
And for those runners who are optically challenged: How do you stop your glasses from steaming up?
My cold wet running hear is the treadmill at the YMCA. I’ll run in the rain at 48°+ but not colder. A ball cap helps with the rain sometimes.
I’ve had my glasses frost over when it’s really cold but never had a problem with fogging. If it’s raining when I start a run, I leave them at home. If it starts raining while I’m running and it gets to where I can see better w/o them than with them, I just fold ‘em up and carry them in my hand. Same for frosting over.
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:24 am:
Wow! I don’t think we get cold enough here for my glasses to frost over.
I suspect that if the rain is heavy I’ll be following your example and running in the gym.
Having said that I’m fairly sure one of my races will be in the wet so I want to be prepared.
AndrewEs last blog post..Mental note to self
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So glad winter is over here. Sorry can’t help, winter here was so darn cold I just hibernated for about 5 months. Can’t believe I didn’t gain anything.
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:25 am:
I’ve got great admiration for people who run in the snow. Legends.
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Getting through the winter can be challenging. I find that I just have to accept that I’m going to be cold and/or wet during my run. I also try not to let the weather interfere with my training too much.
I found that by February I enjoyed logging in my pre-work run while the city was still completely dark and it seemed like I had the place to myself.
Smartwool socks are great for running in wet conditions. Even when they get wet, they kept my feet pretty warm. Also, don’t put on too many layers. I was always surprised how much heat I could generate after 10 minutes of warmup.
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:26 am:
That’s a great tip. I’ll invest in some good socks. Thanks!
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Buy a lightweight running jacket that you can take off and tie around your waist when you get hot.
Make sure you’re running in technical fabric or a woollen thermal. Cotton is out - it gets very heavy and chills you off very quickly. Watch for chafing.
If you can’t get under a shower immediately after stopping, have a full change of dry clothes to swap into. Don’t stay wet.
Glasses steam up. Complete PITA. I don’t wear mine when I run.
I love running in the rain! Don’t let it stop you.
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 6:58 pm:
I think that don’t stay wet advice is very sound. As well as all the rest.
Thank you very much.
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Anything by Northface, the Flight Series is excellent, but we don’t really have a Winter where I live!
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:26 am:
I’ll check it out thanks!
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Auckland showers more often than rains. So you will get wet but not too bad. Besides you are all wet after the run anyway
Glasses… don’t wear them, or wear contact lenses.
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:27 am:
I’m really not comfortable not wearing my glasses for some reason. I guess it’s psychological.
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Sally
reply on 4 May, 2008 7:54 pm:
Wear one without the lenses? Then they won’t fog up.
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AndrewE
reply on 4 May, 2008 8:59 pm:
:p
AndrewEs last blog post..Mental note to self
I love running in the rain, but not so much if it really heavy rain, or really cold. I just have a lightweight plastic type jacket I wear, and I agree with the poster above who said layers are important for warmth. I usually wear my long sleeve Skins top, with a tech fabric t-shirt then the plastic jacket. I never have a problem with warmth, but the plastic jacket does make me sweat a fair bit, but for me this is a positive - a good sweat out always make me feel good as long as you are well hydrated.
I too am optically challenged and have no good answer to the glasses question. If the rain is heavier than a light shower, I just choose not to wear them, as I can see better without them than I can with them covered with rain drops. Just run a well-known course and avoid traffic.
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:27 am:
Great tips thanks Andrew. I bought a long sleeve skins top so I’ll give that a go.
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I don’t know if I can answer this because I’m so upset that you have rain, and we have snow! lol. just kidding. I say a technical shirt, either long or short sleeved. Then a waterproof jacket that can breath to let out the heat you are producing. Technical socks.. ahem the “socks of gold!” . A hat always works for me in the rain. I don’t have glasses, but sometimes wonder if that should change! Also, google cold weather running, and you’ll get a surplus of awesome answers
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:28 am:
Thanks Nancy. I need to go have a look at some running jackets.
AndrewEs last blog post..Mental note to self
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Go get some contacts. My glasses got all sweaty and slimy from my runs. I finally decided it was worth the effort to not use them on the run. As to rain, I just go with it. Perhaps your rain is a little more severe and cold?
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:30 am:
I had contacts and I just hated them. I couldn’t get them in quickly even after a few months of wearing them.
I want to get my eyes lasered but it costs about $5000 here so will have to wait a bit.
I don’t think our rain is more severe or more cold - I’m just more soft.
AndrewEs last blog post..Mental note to self
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Rob
reply on 5 May, 2008 12:00 pm:
My brother had the surgery and has been very happy.
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Personally I haven’t ever really had any problems with being cold. When running your body heats up like crazy anyway, so even when it’s freezing I don’t wear much more than a tshirt and a light rain vest.
Fact of the matter is, I like running a lot more when it’s a bit cold then when it’s hot as hell. Especially when it has just rained, the air is so pure and fresh! Amazing, don’t you think?
Nicos last blog post..16 Straight To The Point Fat Loss Lessons
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:30 am:
I suspect you may be right Nico. I went out this morning just after it had been raining and it was fantastic.
AndrewEs last blog post..Mental note to self
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I’m pretty much a wimp when it gets too cold (below mid-40’s F) and too wet. Then it’s indoors for me.
I do have a lightweight running jacket, which I’d recommend. Has lots of pockets, place for an ipod and weighs less than a pound.
As for the fog — I usually suffer through it.
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 10:32 am:
I think the lightweight jacket sounds like a good idea. I don’t think we get that cold here. Even in the middle of the night it very rarely approaches 40 degrees or so.
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I love running in the rain in any clothes that are close-fitting enough not to be a drag when they’re wet, and a cap to keep the rain out of my eyes.
No idea about the glasses problem - run a route you know well so you can run without them??
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AndrewE
reply on 3 May, 2008 6:59 pm:
I much prefer running without a cap but 90% of the time when I run I wear my cap otherwise sweat gets in my eyes. Such is life.
AndrewEs last blog post..Mental note to self
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