Running a Marathon in the Rain - Tips for a Rainy Race Day

#RnRDC Marathon Forecast*

66** % Chance of Rain

*Update as of Wednesday, March 11

Forecast by The Running Weatherman

I've been checking the weather forecast for the Rock 'n' Roll DC Marathon for the past few weeks thanks (or no thanks) to Accuweather.com. Now, it's very likely that it's going to rain. In theory and in training, I'm not opposed to running in the rain. I have also raced in some freezing rain and drizzle. However, I never ran a marathon in rain. So, needless to say, I'm beginning to panic. When I'm not in panic mode, I've been scouring the internet for rainy day race tips.

Do you have any tips for racing in the rain?

Here are some rainy day race tips I found that I plan to use:

* Wear different pair of shoes before race

* Wear GORE-TEX running shoes during race

* Dress in tight, water-resistant, moisture wicking layers

* Wear gloves and brimmed hat during the race

* Use anti-friction cream to prevent chafing that can occur when running in wet clothing

* Seal iPhone inside a Ziploc bag inside water-resistant hip carrier

* Cut hole in bottom of garbage bag to wear prior to race and remove just before start

* Stay indoors or under covered space for as long as possible before race

* Stay with group if it's windy and avoid puddles whenever possible

* Change into dry clothes, socks and shoes as soon as possible after race

* Dry out shoes by stuffing with newspaper

If you are looking foor more rainy day race tips, visit these blogs & websites:

10 tips for running a marathon in the rain, cold and wind

runningoncrosswalks.com/2013/05/02/10-tips-for-running-a-marathon-in-the-rain-cold-and-wind/

What if the weather is really bad on marathon day?
coachjoeenglish.wordpress.com/2007/10/03/racing-what-if-the-weather-is-really-bad-on-marathon-day/

Marathoning in the Rain
camilleherron.com/2011/06/09/marathoning-in-the-rain/

Running a Marathon in Bad Weather (@Runners_Connect)
runnersconnect.net/running-training-articles/running-a-marathon-in-bad-weathe/

Rain Racing (@RunnersWorld)
runnersworld.com/races/rain-racing

Top 10 Tips for Running in the Rain (@50by25)
50by25.com/2013/07/tips-for-running-in-the-rain.html

Racing in the Rain: 7 Tips from Runners (@rUnladylike)
runladylike.com/2012/10/26/racing-in-the-rain-7-tips-from-runners-2/

Lessons from Running a Marathon in the Rain - Successes and Failures (@RunToMunch)
runtomunch.com/lessons-from-running-a-marathon-in-the-rain-successes-and-failures/

21 Tips for Running a Marathon Under the Rain (@thebullrunner)
thebullrunner.com/2013/02/21-tips-for-running-a-marathon-under-the-rain/

How to Run Your Best Race in the Rain (@SaltyRuns)
huffingtonpost.com/jason-saltmarsh/running-rain_b_5297060.html

Rain on Marathon Day - Tips and Tricks (@RunAndJumpBlog)
runandjumpblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/rain-on-marathon-day-tips-and-tricks/

Running in the Rain (@MarathonsAndMacarons)
marathonsandmacarons.com/2013/05/10/fitness-friday-running-in-the-rain/

Marathon Training in All Weather (@WorldRunningCom)
worldrunning.com/articles/marathon-training-in-all-weather/

Running in the Rain (@WomensHealthMag)
womenshealthmag.com/fitness/running-in-the-rain

8 Tips for Running in the Rain (@lafenske)
minneapolisrunning.com/8-tips-for-running-in-the-rain/

Prepping for Rainy Weather Conditions (@IRun4Wine)
irunforwine.net/2015/03/prepping-for-rainy-weather-conditions.html

Rain Tips (@NYRR)
nyrrc.org/nyrrc/mar01/training/raintip.html

Tips for Running in Rainy LA Marathon

westcoastmiles.com/2012/03/tips-for-running-in-rainy-la-marathon.html

Rainy Marathon Checklist - The Night Before
limetreelife.com/2012/12/01/rainy-marathon-checklist-the-night-before/

What to Wear - Running in the Rain
fleetfeetchicago.com/blog/wear-running-rain

Running in the Rain
runningcoach.com/tips/raintrain.html

** Normally, I love to see the number 66 since it's one of my favorite songs by The Afghan Whigs. So, while I mentally prepare myself for a rainy attempt to BQ, I will console myself by watching as many versions of this song as possible. ;-)