Outdoor exercisers and bad weather

[Teenytoona]

I think there are a fair amount of people who exercise outdoors here. I'd LIKE to do so, but I always wimp out when it's raining or snowing or something like that.

Tell me your strategies for outdoor exercise! I'm going to start taking advantage of the excellent towpath trail not far from my work on my lunch hours, but I need to remind myself that less than perfect weather is STILL walk-in-able.

[GoBecGo]

I run with a babyjogger.

TBH i LIKE the crazy weather. I do speeds or hills when it's raining because it keeps me cool, and one of my nicest runs was this spring when it was snowing. I was running slow through my park and DD was all cosied up in the jogger and it was so quite and muffled with the snow falling. I saw a fellow runner coming the other way and we both grinned in joy of seeing another person, equally keen to run, out in the snow..

I think for me the key is i never think "i'll run this afternoon if it's nice" i think "i'll run this afternoon". And then i do it.

[sunnysandiegan]

I walk my DD to school every day, rain or shine. Other parents always comment. I just wear a raincoat with a hood and boots and make sure DD has the same. I LOVE walking in the rain!

FWIW: I find umbrellas pretty useless for a real walk in the rain. They work well for short car trips out in the rain, but are completely ineffective for more than that, IME. You just end up soaked and/or chasing down a blowing umbrella and/or a broken umbrella. Even with our raincoats and boots, we do end up with wet pants in the thigh/calf areas depending on how hard it is raining. DD has real rainboots and brings a pair of regular shoes to school in her backpack. I use my waterproof hiking boots.

Enjoy!

[tjsmama]

It's all about having the proper gear. I run in the rain, and I run in the cold. Running in the rain is actually nice as long as it's not too cold, and I'd much rather run in cold weather than blazing hot any day!

I find that the keys are layering and head/hand protection. For rain, I wear a baseball hat to keep the water off my head and face, a water-resistant light jacket (with layers underneath depending on temperature), and gloves if necessary. I don't worry too much about the legs since they don't seem to get as wet. For cold, either a hat or earwarmer, gloves, and LAYERS. On a really cold day, I'll wear as many as 4 layers on top (long underwear, long sleeve tech shirt, fleece, and a light jacket). That way I can take off or add as necessary. I hate hate hate running on a treadmill, so unless I can't push the stroller outside (like if it's recently snowed and the sidewalks haven't been cleared), I bundle DS up in his Chariot (completely enclosed) and off we go!

[jighead]

I'm wet and shivering in my office right now because I ran 5mi in the pouring rain today, then walked to the farmer's market afterward. When running, I really don't find the weather too much of a factor until it's over 80 and below 20. Wind is far more miserable than rain any day. And some of the most beautiful runs are after a fresh snow. There's really nothing you can do in the heat but pass out, but in the winter with a decent pair of pants, a windbreaker, and some gloves, you can usually get a decent run in.

[greenbeing]

I am a big wimp when it comes to exercising in the snow or rain. The big thing for me is having decent clothes to keep me dry and warm. What do you recommend for pants? I've seen many for $60 and up. Is there anything I could wear that would do the job and is cheaper?

[ameliabedelia]

I love walking in the rain too...well in the summer anyway. :

The funny part is when I have people stop and ask if I want to and I am always like "uh no, I ChOSE to go out in this, I don't mind, really "

[jighead]

Originally Posted by greenbeing

I am a big wimp when it comes to exercising in the snow or rain. The big thing for me is having decent clothes to keep me dry and warm. What do you recommend for pants? I've seen many for $60 and up. Is there anything I could wear that would do the job and is cheaper?

Ugh, don't get me started on the cost of athletic gear. I usually wait until the end of a season and try to scoop up things in my size when the clearance sales are on. Target has Champion gear that is acceptable, and Dick's has a house brand that is also decent as long as they are clearance priced.

Rain gear for running is a tough one because the more water proof it is, the less it breaths (don't believe the claims that GoreTex or anyone else makes). The less it breathes, the more you sweat. Either way you end up soaked to the bone if you are out long enough.

My DW absolutely hates that I own spandex pants for running, but they are actually pretty good for rainy days and aren't that expensive. Any type of wind pants I've tried end up sticking to my legs and the swishing and chafing are just annoying.

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by greenbeing

I am a big wimp when it comes to exercising in the snow or rain. The big thing for me is having decent clothes to keep me dry and warm. What do you recommend for pants? I've seen many for $60 and up. Is there anything I could wear that would do the job and is cheaper?

I wear layers, and I don't hope to stay dry in rain, just warm. In the cold, I wear at least 2 layers on the bottom and usually 3-4 or so on top. Always choose technical fabrics over cotton because the cotton will get sweaty and cold, while the tech fabrics keep the moisture away from your skin. A cap with a brim is perfect for the rain.

Some of my best runs have been in the rain. I always end up running much faster on rainy days. Go figure !