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!

[Tri Girl]

Thanks, ladies! I'll try to see if I can find any Sport Shield around town today (maybe they'll have some for sale at the expo). My rain jacket is my cycling one, so it folds up very tiny and will cram in my Camelbak (I have a larger one that I use for ultramarathons, so it can handle extra stuff on board). I've done races where I just wear a long sleeve shirt and toss it at one of the aid stations when I get too hot- I guess I could do that, too. It's not like it's going to be frigid, although cotton may make me colder if it's wet...maybe I'll just wear my l/s smartwool shirt instead... it will get wet, but it will keep me warm. Hmmm... suddenly I'm re-arranging my running outfit. And yes, I'll be wearing tights, so I know I'll have a dastardly time getting them back up after I stop (which I know I'll have to do).
Oh- and a hat. I always wear a hat because I have just awful hair.

I wear five finger running socks, as my toes tend to blister less that way. I'll throw a lighter weight pair of smartwool on top of those to help with the wetness. Great idea- I didn't even think of that!

Thank you!!!

The good news is that we're supposed to have a 20 mph headwind for the first half, then it will turn to a tailwind for the second half (I'd much rather fight the wind when I'm fresh than when I'm already tired).

Thanks for all the advice!!

I'm running the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. I've done the half or the full for the last 6 years down there. It's an incredibly meaningful race. It's also my first full in 4 years and I haven't run in almost 3 weeks because of a possible stress fracture in my shin. I'm undertrained, but I don't care about the time (at least I got in most all my long runs, including a 20 miler 3 weeks ago).


Teigyr- so nice to see you. I was thinking about you the other day, wondering if you were still around since I hadn't seen you in a while.

[indigoiis]

I have run two halfs now in poor weather. Both times I wore a baseball cap (to keep the rain off my forehead/out of my eyes), an underarmour shirt (the tight weave seems to repel water and keep things dry) and smartwool socks (warm and wicked well, even through ankle-deep puddles.)

I am running a half on Sunday, and the forecast is 75 and sunny. I have no idea what to wear for that.

[Tri Girl]

that was the most miserable race I've ever done- but I'm SO glad/blessed that I have the ability to do it. I body-glided the heck out of my feet and every place I had a seam. It worked well. Only one big blood blister on the bottom of my baby toe. The rain came down in sheets from about mile 7 onward. It even hailed the last mile or so. It was tough, but I'm glad I did it. Every muscle below my knee seemed to cramp all at once the last 13 miles, so I walked the last 13. It was 45 degrees and rainy- but still a blast! Thank you for all your advice!
I had on two wool shirts, a hat, gloves, and two pair of socks. I ended up in the med tent for hypothermia issues at the end. Brrr cold- but still fun!
The rain chances went from 70% to 30% the night before the race, so I thought we were in the clear. So much for thinking.

edit: Even my friends who are super fast and never get sore during or after a race are hurting today (the day afterward). I think the cold rain had a lot to do with it. I'm glad I'm not the only wimp out there.

[OakLeaf]

Oh man ... glad you had fun!!! I don't think I'd have been able to in those conditions!

[colby]

Hardcore, Tri Girl, as if we had any doubts Congrats on your race.

I've raced and trained a bunch in the rain, it totally takes a "bring it on" mentality.