Running in the dark?

[Texas84]

I'm thinking of doing my weekday runs in the dark, early morning. I just don't have the energy after a long day at work. What do you all do for running in the dark? I'm looking at reflective vests and even the dreaded headlight which looks stupid but is probably a life-saver. Thanks!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I know it's not practical for the rest of the world but waaaay back when I was training for the dreaded PT test (for a job) I often ran at night. We lived in a sorta rural area at the time, the roads were narrow & curvy and people in the area drove pretty fast since it was just woods. Me being a girl and all, hubby was protective and insisted on escorting me. I'd run and he'd stay a little ways behind me in our truck with the headlights illuminating the road for me and 4-way flashers blinking away. Generally he rode 1/2 on the shoulder so he wasn't taking up the whole road. It worked pretty good. I never got ran over or abducted. One time the light from the headlights saved my butt when I spotted a snake just on the edge of the tall grass coiled up in a strike position. I took air when I spotted it. Scared me to death. Hubby pulled up to let the boys look at it out the windows.

 

[Donald Duck]

I'm thinking of doing my weekday runs in the dark, early morning. I just don't have the energy after a long day at work. What do you all do for running in the dark? I'm looking at reflective vests and even the dreaded headlight which looks stupid but is probably a life-saver. Thanks!

Don't knock the headlamp! It's required equipment for my ultra marathons and midnight training. Check out Petzl, they make great lamps.

 

[dreamfinder]

I have a Amphipod Xinglet for nightime/dark running. Not a full on vest, but pretty good reflective coverage, without being overly cumbersome
while running. Heck, even worked good when I took the dog out for some night time snowshoe runs in the winter with winter coat on.

I just wasn't a fan of the full vest design. Some of those do have lights on the back for more visibility, but I have read mixed reviews on their durability.

A headlamp is a must. Vastly easier and more effective than carrying a flashlight. I second the vote for Petzl. I have an older Tikka (now Tikka 2) that works great. Only downside to that model is the lack of a red led, but thats not something I use frequently unless I'm with the dog. (Full on bright white light seems to mess with her night vision)

Definitely look for one that has varying brightness levels. The blinking isn't so important for running in my opinion.

 

[anc33]

I've got the Petzl Tikka Plus 2 and it is actually fairly comfortable. I also have a Saucony Vizi Pro vest that is bright neon orange. It is a little warm to wear it now but I am thinking one of the Amphipod vests for summer.

 

[JillC LI]

I'm thinking of doing my weekday runs in the dark, early morning. I just don't have the energy after a long day at work. What do you all do for running in the dark? I'm looking at reflective vests and even the dreaded headlight which looks stupid but is probably a life-saver. Thanks!

I try to avoid it myself, if at all possible. Putting aside whether cars can see me (which I always assume they cannot), it scares me too much not to be able to see whether the ground ahead of me is level or not. I've had too many ankle injuries and one surgery (none due to running in the dark) to take the risk or re-injury. Sometimes, however, when following a disciplined training schedule, though, it cannot be avoided. Just be extra careful.

 

[Texas84]

Thanks everybody! I'll be running through my neighborhood so lighting won't be too bad and people shouldn't be too fast. I mostly worry about the early shift workers reaching for their coffee while driving drowsy.
:wave:

 

[Phonedave]

I know it does not help your decision, but I can run a 3 mile loop on all park paths by my house. In the winter I run them after work, in the dark. I don't use a headlamp or light, and it can get pretty dicey, especialy if it is icy out.

I do have to cross a road to get there, and most of my running gear (from RRS) has some sort of reflective stuff built into it, so it serves the purpose.


-dave

 

[joel_maxwell]

I'm thinking of doing my weekday runs in the dark, early morning. I just don't have the energy after a long day at work. What do you all do for running in the dark? I'm looking at reflective vests and even the dreaded headlight which looks stupid but is probably a life-saver. Thanks!

I LOVE running early enough in the morning that it is still dark out. My neighborhood has enough street lights that I dont need a headlamp, but I wear a Firefly from RoadID.com. It is very bright. I wear it on my waist near my tailbone. It just clips on my shorts waist band.If I see a car coming, I just go ahead and stop, get in the curb and watch it go by.

http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=12