How do you keep running when the weather gets bad?

[ErrolTheDragon]

I've been doing a bit of 'running' over the last few years, currently trying to build up properly by doing c25k - just so slow otherwise. Anyhow, so far so good, interruptions for hols but just finished week 3. Trouble is.... I've never managed to persist when the weather gets bad. The only place I can run is the canal towpath, which is grassy - I cant run on hard surfaces, buggers one of my hips. This has been ok till now but this morning I just couldn't face the thought of wet feet. Later in the year there will be a couple of very muddy stretches too.

I think I could tolerate running in the rain (though might need more questions on clothing) if I could solve the squidgy feet problem. But the only waterproof shoes I've ever come across are too heavy, designed for walking not running, and also I overpronate quite badly (think Ive got that the right way round) - my running shoes have the right design and are very light....

Are there any running shoes which would cope?

I just wear the same in winter as summer. A new development this summer was shorts (shock horror! my legs on display) but in winter I stick to my below- the-knee Nike capris.

I wear a s/s running top and if it is cold I may use a light nylon jacket. It has to be v cold tho. Or I also have a l/s Nike top that is nice. If it's really really cold I wear my long leggings (also Nike) - wore those about three times last winter. Really only for a 10pm run on a cold night. But that's just me - I hate being too hot.

Oh - DS2 had some running gloves (just light nylon) which are good (tho he's lost one) - I wore those on the snowy 10k at Easter - but even then I took them off half way round (luckily DS was watching and caught them). I often think about discarding clothes as I run and going back for them later but it's not really practical.

I have to walk about half a mile to get to my canal, which is a nice warm-up if its not too cold but may be more of a chiller if its really cold and/or wet. I did go out once wearing a fleece by accident when it was nippy, and left it on a bench where I start the run; it was still there when I got back. Cant imagine many people would want an old fleece so I may do that on purpose in future.

More Mile thermal running kit, probably designed for seriously cold places but I'll start using it as soon as we have single digit temperatures. Brrrrr!

If I am going for a run where I know I will get wet feet in winter I wear my Sealskinz waterproof socks. They have heavy and light ones and work pretty well. I don't mind getting wet feet but I find if The track is persistently wet my normal socks can get so wet that they start to slip and move. I used to have Salomon speed cross shoes with goretex which helped a bit, but the toe box was too narrow and caused bad toenail trouble!

Agree with the buff to keep ears warm, plus a cap to keep the rain out of your eyes. I find I am usually hot when running, even in the depths of a Scottish winter, so rarely wear a running jacket. My feet do get wet, but can't say it bothers me when I am moving!

You could look for microfibre socks, or the dense but thin socks that cyclists wear.

more thanks - will google for sealskinz and other socks.

I love the rain - I am a fair skinned celt for whom the summer months are murder... Asics definitely do stability trail shoes - can't remember which at the moment and they aren't much heavier than my usual kayanos. They have a more moulded grip which is what adds the weight but they were brilliant on muddy cliff paths when you really don't want to slip... Sportsshoes.com stock lots of trail shoes but you might want to get the first pair fitted properly in a specialist running shop.

FOr running in the rain I find a wicking top works fine for me but if you feel the cold then a lightweight running jacket - Ronhill Asics Nike Adidas and New Balance all make them. GO for one that has lots of reflective tape etc on it. TKMaxx may well have a reduced version from a previous season so if there is one near you it is worth a look.

Finally a pair of SKINS compression tights will keep your legs warm and help with the running/recovery after long runs - I've been missing mine all summer as its been too hot to wear them. They are expensive but worth it.

I find that even in winter it is rarely cold enough for long tights, or long sleeves
I find it fun and a bit surreal to be outdoors in shorts and a t shirt while everyone else is wrapped up against the cold.
i take a very light waterproof smock with me in the event of cold and rain but wet legs/feet dont really bother me

I was cold in long sleeves today but I think there is something wrong with me. I did warm up but not until I sped up at the very end.

Oh I love cold wet winter runs! I don't really notice my feet getting wet to be honest. I find it hard to motivate myself more in the summer.

Never mind cold & wet, I ran thru a field of muck today!
Just hoping my trainers don't get banished outside by DH or one of the teenagers.

My winter layers vary depending on the temperature and conditions. Race t-shirts are good as a light over layer as I find them too baggy on their own anyway. A cap against rain. Gloves with a clip so I can hook them together and onto my running belt. Thicker leggings- my muscles whinge if they're cold. A bright, shower proof hooded top.

Thin hat and gloves - both get discarded after 2 miles. Gortex trainers and merino wool snood and winter running tights, layered wind proof tops.

If you're doing C25k, there will be a fair amount of walking as well as running so I don't think you'll get as hot as more experienced runners. I certainly didn't & spent my first winter running in some fleece lined tights from Decathlon & then, depending on the weather, either a "shell" wind proof, waterproof (or at least resistant) top or a thicker, slightly fleecy top.
In the early weeks, I was of C25k, I was running so slowly & doing so much walking (as that is part of the programme) that I didn't get that hot.

Just to update that last week I got some asics goretex trail shoes - £75 which was less than I thought it would be for goretex. Just got back... feet warm and dry, the rest of me damp despite 'showerproof' jacket. But nowt wrong with damp so long as not cold with it.

I got to week 6 of c2k and decided that I don't really like continuous 'running' much - I get too ploddy. So at the moment I'm using a tabata timer for 90s/45s run/walk intervals... I think theres other threads on run/walk so I'll have a peruse for wisdom on that.

Anyway - thanks for the advice!

I think you just have to accept it's going to be cold, wet and (if like me you run very early or after work) dark.

There really is no way around it.

I comfort myself in the winter by the fact I am keeping fit for the summer when I love running so much more in the sun and the dry.

And in my opinion even the wet and dark are a million times better than the boring old gym!

Is anyone else nervous about the dark? I started running at the end of May and loved a greenway. This is unlit and I'm nervous of the pitch black (you know because of the lurking rapists that want sweaty 40 something plump women).
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I wouldn't run in the dark anyway because the towpath is unlit and you need to be able to see if the surface isn't smooth (not to mention dodging the occasional dogshit or abandoned fish). Fortunately because I work from home with flexible hours I should be able to wait till light in the mornings.