Question:Does anyone have any suggestions for good gear to wear while running? I've
found that I've been missing too many days to rain. If you can help, I'd
really appreciate it.
Answer:
running stores, both online and regular have stuff called gortex
(I think) that is waterproof. Basically though, just suck it up
and run in the rain (but not lightning). If you live where it is
cold rain then buy the rainproof stuff and wear it over your
regular running clothes. As for what to do about keeping your
shoes dry, I am stumped. Maybe they have booties for runners
like they do for cycling?
Rain is only a problem when it is 30-40 degrees (0-5 C) outside.
Above that it is refreshing. Below that, snow.
I think gortex can help at for cold rain.
A hat with a brim keeps it out of eyes.
Well, during this time of year it's pretty warm so just take off your shirt
and run. Of course, women might be stopped by the local police, but your
name is Tom so I'll assume this won't be a problem for you.
Yeah, your shoes might get wet but a day or two every once in a while won't
destroy them. Just be sure to dry them out afterwards (completely dry
before you run in them again). I find stuffing newspapers in them overnight
does the trick.
I have seen waterproof trail shoes, maybe Reebok?
Or wear plastic bags over your socks... mom's solution when we went out in
the snow as kids.
In this vein, does anyone have experience using clothing made with
Activent? I'm thinking of buying a jacket made from it.
As others have said, it's July, which in the Northern Hemisphere means
it's hot enough to run in the rain without doing anything special.
But I'll add my favorite "trick" - a bicycle jersey. Cycling jerseys
are made of the same kinds of high-tech fabrics running clothes are and
they have the added advantage of three nice big pockets with elastic
holding them closed. They're also designed for riding in more wind,
which means they aren't quite as cool to run in, which seems to work
well in the rain for me.
When I run in the rain, I find I tend to do things like start out with
glasses and a hat but take them off half-way through, and those pockets
are great to have. They seem to make running jackets with pockets but
not running shirts that way. Also for me, I don't own many high-tech
short-sleeve running shirts - they're all either singlets or long sleeve
- so the added coverage the cycling jersey gives is welcomed in the
rain.
Although cycling jerseys can be $50-75 in the stores, you can find them
on closeouts and other places for about $25. Try, e.g.,
http://www.parktool.com/cgi-local/shop.pl/page=jerseys.htm/SID=PUT_SI...
(The second one down the page is $25 and it's what I wear alot - nice
bright yellow.)
and
http://store.yahoo.com/pedrosusa/pedteamjer.html
Right now, my shoes get as wet from the sweat as they would if it were
raining - which it isn't. We're in a severe drought, but it's been so
d*mn hot and humid that my shoes fill up with sweat. I've had to wash
them every week just so the wife will let me keep them inside.
I haven't found that gortex is any better than cheap water proof stuff,
in both you will sweat like a pig if you are working hard, especially in
the rain. In the cold rain, rain gear is more to keep you warm than dry.
If the jacket has vents is helps a little.
If you run in the rain you will get wet, water when it is warm, sweat
when it is cold.
