Rainy Race

Les Stewart said:

I will be trying to finish the Houston half-marathon
in about 10 days.

10 days? That's slower than 18 hours/mile. They'll keep the roads clear
for you for that long?
No wonder traffic stinks in Houston. :-)

Quoted message said:

It ill be my first race ever at age 52. I don't think I
I will have any problem finishing but I am worried about
cold rainy weather.

Worst case scenario is 35 F and pouring rain. ACK!

That would be bad, but not likely. The forecast calls for sunny and
50F.

Quoted message said:

I have never run in the rain.

Hats? Raincoats? Tips? Ideas? Thanks!

If it does rain, I'd go with a running hat, short sleeve running
T-shirt, cover with a long-sleeve that you'd be willing to toss when
you get too hot. If it's cold and rainy, a lightweight pair of tights.
If you've never run in any of these items, try a test run to make sure
they'll work for you because YMMV.

tkb (former Houston babe)

Les,

I'm in the same boat. Even worse, since I'll be running the Rock N Roll
Marathon in AZ this Sunday. The forecast varies between a few showers
and showers all day, and believe me, when it rains here in AZ it's not
usually a drizzle, but hard rain. The temps are supposed to be around
low 50s all day.

While I've run a few shorter races in the rain, this will be my first
marathon in rain (unless we luck out and the weather clears). I did get
caught in a short downpour a few years ago while running the Disney
marathon.

Here's what I'm planning:

1. A big plastic garbage bag to stick my head through and wear as a
poncho until the race starts. We'll be in the corrals for about 1/2
hour and if it's raining then it will be really miserable since we're
not even moving.

2. A running hat with a long brim to keep the rain off my face.

3. A long sleeve shirt over a short sleeve shirt. I'll peel them off as
the weather (or I) warm up.

4. Gloves for before the race, and maybe into it as well.

5. But except for the start, I plan on running the race wearing what I
usually do - a singlet and shorts. Anything else will only get wet from
the rain (or make me too hot and sweaty if a Goretex type jacket) and
absorb and hold the water.

Good luck to you.

Quoted message said:

I will be trying to finish the Houston half-marathon in about 10 days.

IMHO if it takes you 10 days to run 13 miles, you need to train more before
entering.

"Les Stewart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I will be trying to finish the Houston half-marathon in about 10 days. It
will be my first race ever at age 52. I don't think I will have any problem
finishing but I am worried about cold rainy weather.

Worst case scenario is 35 F and pouring rain. ACK!

I have never run in the rain.

Hats? Raincoats? Tips? Ideas? Thanks!
--
Les <SlowFoot> Stewart
Beaumont, TX

I would also suggest using plenty of skin lubricant (BodyGlide,
Blistershield, etc.) anywhere you think you might chafe or blister. Chafing
and blistering can be bigger problems in the rain.

Jim Johnson

I've never run a half marathon but I routinely do 10k's in the rain and a
couple in absolute downpours. My only advice is a goretex jacket, a cap or hat
won't do much good as once it gets soaked its worthless unless of course you
had a goretex cap I suppose.

I've never run a half marathon but I routinely do 10k's in the rain and a
couple in absolute downpours. My only advice is a goretex jacket, a cap or hat
won't do much good as once it gets soaked its worthless unless of course you
had a goretex cap I suppose.

It's rain, buttercup. If I were you. I'd worry about real
difficulties.............like how much time off work you're going to
need, to recover from the massive chest grabber on mile 5.

"Les Stewart" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I will be trying to finish the Houston half-marathon > Hats? Raincoats?
Tips? Ideas? Thanks!

Thanks all for the advice.... looks like it will be cold and windy (for a
Texan!) but I can deal with that... at least no rain.
--
Les <SlowFoot> Stewart
Beaumont, TX