I planned to do my run workout at lunchtime today.  When lunchtime came around, I looked outside and it was raining.  I had the option to do my run on the treadmill, but a little rain has never stopped me from running outside before, and it wouldn’t today.

I am a big believer in the saying that, “there are no bad running conditions, just bad clothing choices”.  In other words, if you dress appropriately, you should be able to comfortably run outside, in almost any conditions.  I think the only conditions, where this doesn’t apply is when it is extremely cold; I mean frostbite cold.  The other thing that stops me running outside is ice; I won’t run outside when I don’t have good traction underfoot.

I find the biggest challenge in choosing what to wear, is avoiding over dressing.  If I dress too warmly, then I sweat a lot, my clothes get damp and then I risk getting severely chilled, if I try to shed layers too late.  It is far better to be a little cold at the start of the run, than to sweat heavily for most of it.

I got my clothing close to right today.  I did get a little warm by the end of the run, but not too bad.  I had on a long sleeved shirt, long run pants and my lightweight waterproof jacket.  I wore a beanie, which I removed part of the way into the run, and gloves.  In hindsight, I think I could have gotten away with running in shorts.  This would have kept me cooler overall.

Like I said above, wearing the right clothing allows you to run outside, in most weather conditions.  You won’t always get it perfectly right, but experience and a little trial and error, will get you close on most days.