subject: Running Tips - Running In The Rain On Race Day [print this page] One of the things that you can't control for a road race is the weather. Unless the weather is extreme, races are not cancelled because of weather. And, rain is something that many runners worry about for race day. Here are some tips for when it rains on your race day.
First of all, make sure that you are wearing a cap. A cap to me when I'm running in all types of weather is a must. When it's sunny, it helps to protect your eyes and face. When it's a rainy day, a cap becomes even more important. The brim on a cap will keep the rain off of your face. This helps in many ways. First of all, keeping the rain off of your face just makes you feel better. And, if you wear contacts or glasses, it helps you to be able to see better.
A big mistake that runners will make is to overdress if it's raining. This will cause you to be very uncomfortable during your race - especially after you start and get warmed up. If you put on several layers, they'll all get wet due to the rain and sweat and you'll be carrying around that extra weight. See what the temperature is and dress accordingly, as if it were a dry day.
However, you can wear a garbage bag while you are waiting around the starting line to keep the rain off you. Get a large size bag and make holes for your arms and head. Wear it around the start - then take it off once you get moving and warm up. Make sure that you throw it to the side of the road so that you don't cause someone to slide and fall on your discarded garbage bag.
Many runners that don't usually have a problem with chafing will if it's a rainy day. To prevent this, use Body Glide or Vaseline where you may chafe - your inner thighs, underarms, etc. Also, make sure that you put some on your feet. This will help prevent blisters from the extra moisture of the rain.
Make sure that you have dry clothes waiting on you at the finish line. You're may be warmed up from your race, but you can still get chilled easily. If you have family or friends with you, you can leave your dry clothes with them. If you are at the race by yourself, most races have a drop off and pick up spot for clothes.
Most of us don't like to run in the rain. But, if you can do a few training runs in the rain, it will help you to know how to handle rain on race day.
