running a marathon in the rain

[Tri Girl]

So I've run 6 marathons, and so far they've all been dry as a bone. This Sunday's marathon has a 60% chance of rain, with chances increasing every day. I'm pretty sure it's going to be wet. I don't mind, since we are in a severe drought, I just don't know how to prepare since I can't remember the last time I ran in the rain. I've run in the snow, but that's different.

I'm wearing my camelbak (just so much easier for me during a marathon, I don't know why), so I plan on putting an extra pair of dry socks in a ziploc bag to maybe switch at the halfway point. I also body glide the heck out of my feet for long runs/marathons so I'll have that done. I'll be wearing a rain jacket since the starting temps will be in the upper 40's/lower 50's with the high only 59.

Do you running gurus have any other tips?

[zoom-zoom]

Better than Bodyglide is Sport Shield roll-on...it's silicone and lasts longer. Their sister product, Blister Shield powder is great in socks. I rarely had more than minor hot spots during my marathons or wet races. I also swear by Smartwool socks.

[OakLeaf]

I would put Compeed pads wherever you're prone to blister. That stuff is great.

[teigyr]

Tri Girl

After Body Gliding (or using whatever) do it again and make sure your toes and everything are covered. I Body Glided what I thought was ALL of my feet and missed a bit of a pinky. So much for those white-ish shoes, I came in with a big rust colored patch on them. Also take care to Body Glide any possible chafing areas with your clothes because that will rub a bit worse than usual too.

Do you have a way to ditch your rain jacket? Depending on the rain, I think you'll find it won't be that bad and those temps aren't too terrible. I suppose you could find a way to crumple it in your Camelbak or something.

One last thing, that has nothing to do with preparation and maybe you've experience it riding, is it is MUCH harder to get clothes back on if you have to use the porta-potty. I was wearing run tights and it was next to impossible to pull them up as quickly as I wanted to and even then I ran the final distance with them being slightly askew and not all that comfortable.

What race are you running?

[jessmarimba]

I don't know if you've ever run in arm warmers, but I've found in chilly wet weather the smartwool arm warmers work well to keep me warm when I need but are easy to stash once I warm up (and then re-find as I slow down again later). Personally I prefer them to rain jackets, but that's just me.

The marathon I did was damp but not wet - I came out ok (weather-wise, anyway), but a friend had a blister that covered the entire bottom of her heel, which popped at about mile 20. So body-glide (or whatever-glide) your feet like crazy and also consider something like double-layered socks (wright socks, or a thin sock liner and a wool sock, or something).

Good luck! You'll do great

[limewave]

I've run exactly one marathon and it happened to be in the rain.

It really wasn't too bad. I did not have a change of socks--that's probably a good idea. Body Glide--definitely!!!!

I also wore a hat to keep the rain off of my face.

I wore the garbage bag while I waited for the race to start but ditched it immediately.

Good luck!