It’s raining, should I skip the jog?

Rain is a constant issue for me when I run. When it rains, I usually skip my jog rather than gear up and endure the downfall of raindrops.

I have tried running in a rain jacket before, but found I go too hot and sticky which made me turn around and go home anyway.

Some people really embrace the rain and seem to do just fine. I saw a woman running in just a sports bra and hat in the pouring rain and she seemed to be having a good run.

This week when it  rained, I tried running with a ball cap and a compression top with a long sleeve shirt over it. It was a bit chilly, so I figured I’d be okay. I ended up being pretty hot, but relatively dry underneath. The one thing that wasn’t the most amazing feeling was the fact that my shoes ended up getting soaked.

I later read that more layers will not help you in the rain because realistically, you’re just going to get hot and won’t keep you from getting wet. This makes sense since realistically, unless you are running in a garbage bag or poncho, your clothes are going to get wet.

The ball cap was a good choice though since it kept my face from getting wet. I felt sort of silly wearing a hat when it wasn’t sunny but I saw a couple of others doing the same so I guess I wasn’t out of place.

Some people really enjoy running in the rain. I personally, think it’s a bit crazy to “love” it but I did find this pretty funny, yet kind of true, list of reasons why running in the rain can be fun:

1. The shower afterwards feels really good.
2. It’s good for your skin (is it really?).
3. It makes you tough.
4. Nobody else is out there.
5. I like jumping into puddles.
6. People think you are crazy.
7. The air feels purified.
8. You don’t cheat and start to walk.
9. You can test how long it takes before you get hypothermia.
10. You run faster to stay warm.

I think when it comes to running in the rain, it’s really something we just have to suck up and endure. We can’t run with an umbrella or with bags on our feet. Fashion is not an option when it comes to running in the rain. Stay as dry as you can, be comfortable, and get that run in!

Does anyone have any tips for keeping dry/comfortable while running?