Rain running

Question
Hello: I have been out of running since 1995,and am slowly getting back into it.I was wondering if there has been any progress in rain protection since I last ran.I have an ancient lime green 100% polyester shell that doesn't keep me dry in rain.I need something that repels rain,but lets perspiration escape.Thanks!

Answer
Personally, I don't mind running in lite rain.  If I know I'm going to get wet, the main thing I try to prevent is wet feet and socks, which can lead to blisters.  A dry head is nice, but not necessary when the weather is warm.  Either way, an ordinary rimmed baseball cap can help keep your head warm and the rain out of your eyes.

A simple technique for keeping your feet drier in the rain is to wear extra-long socks and then fold them back down your ankles so that they fill in the little ledge made by your shoe's rim and your ankle.  The extra length of the sock helps absorb water running down your legs, and filling in this little ledge ensures water doesn't run down the inside of your shoes.

Of course not everyone feels the same as me.  If you can't stand getting wet in the rain, the main challenge during running is to find strike a balance keeping dry and keeping cool.  This is because most water-proof fabrics do not breathe, and just like running in a "sauna suit", you will quickly overheat unless the outdoor temperature is cold.

Gore-Tex fabric is, in theory, supposed to allow moisture (and heat) to pass through, while at the same time repelling droplets of water.  I've used this while hiking, and it is better than other rain proof fabrics.  But I don't have any experience wearing it while running to tell you if it would be appropriate.