Good morning! Although we’ve had sunny skies in Boston lately, this post is about running a race in the rain. Don’t let wet weather discourage you from getting out there!
A couple of years ago, some girl friends and I decided to meet up for a destination race. We chose Nashville, and weren’t disappointed with this choice. The Rock and Roll marathon was held at the end of April, and we signed up for the half marathon.
The race started downtown Nashville on Broadway, and curved around the city past all of the main sites, including the Country Hall of Fame, Music City Center, and down Music Row. The forecast called for rain so we came prepared with plastic bags and extra layers. Unfortunately, cold rain did not let up throughout the entire race, which was particularly challenging since the course was full of irregular rolling hills. Through trial and error, I have come up with a list of tips for running in the rain.
- Wear a trash bag or poncho to the start- something that you can toss when the gun goes off.
- Make sure any electronics are sealed.
- Wear a hat or visor to keep the rain out of your eyes. I always opt for waterproof over cotton materials.
- Wear darker colored shorts and shirt instead lighter colors/white, as white can become see-through. For darker times of day, bring out the neon/reflective gear. I purchased my neon vest and jacket here.
- Wear wicking socks and apparel to minimize the chaffing. Wearing tighter tops also helps.
- Use more Body Glide than normal, and apply it more than once prior to the start.
- If you are checking a bag at the race, pack dry socks, a long sleeve and a jacket. I would recommend hand warmers as well if you plan to be out there for awhile.
- Know that waiting for the start might be a bit miserable, but once you start running your body will heat up and you might start to have fun out there!
Despite the difficulty of the race, I was happy to end up with a half marathon PR, crossing the finish line at 1:43. Post-race we rested and then re-grouped for a night in Downtown Nashville- which was an absolute blast! The rain had also run its course, and the sun came out as we headed out. We headed to Broadway to purchase cowboy boots, and then proceeded to bar hop the city’s variety of country western and modern bars.
I hope to run Nashville again, but will aim for the marathon distance next time!
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Photo credit: Meredith Ruth
Photo credit: @alalehc
Finish line photo with our half and full marathon medals! I am so grateful to have such a wonderful, supportive running buddy :)
Jane Runs Wild 