Running: how late is too late?

ishepelska

Is there a time of day/night that you find inappropriate for running outside?
Or, maybe, any other situations where you see a runner and go "why on earth is he/she doing this"?

gaelicstorm26

I don't think it matters as long as you have appropriate safety gear for hours when the sun is down or running in snowy/icy/extreme conditions.

jacksonpt

gaelicstorm26 wrote: »

I don't think it matters as long as you have appropriate safety gear for hours when the sun is down or running in snowy/icy/extreme conditions.

Agreed. As long as you can be reasonably safe, no time is a bad time, IMO.

Pinkranger626

Same as above... although i did have that reaction when I saw a runner running in the middle of the street during a snow storm last year. I mean, its one thing to be dedicated and get it in when you can fit it in, but it's another thing to be completely reckless about it

adnamalegna

For me personally I never think anything but "Man, way to go!" no matter when or where I see someone running. LOL
I personally like going in the evening after work, before it gets too late but after the traffic dies down- around 6-7pm. I'll have to adjust after the time changes but Evenings work best for me. I cannot persuade myself on weekdays to get up any earlier to go run..lol I like my teensy bit of rest I get entirely too much!!!

HASWLRS

I could run up and down the main street of my small Ontario town (15,000 people) all night long because it is well lit. I wouldn't do that in Toronto, no matter how many lights were on. I think the question should be where and when, not just when.

ishepelska

workoutgrl87 wrote: »

Same as above... although i did have that reaction when I saw a runner running in the middle of the street during a snow storm last year. I mean, its one thing to be dedicated and get it in when you can fit it in, but it's another thing to be completely reckless about it

I cannot understand how people run in freezing temperatures in general. But yeah, that runner went a little overboard, haha.

ishepelska

adnamalegna wrote: »

For me personally I never think anything but "Man, way to go!" no matter when or where I see someone running. LOL

I bet not everyone is as positive as you about this

brightsideofpink

The only time I've ever questioned (judged?) someone is if they are clearly being unsafe. Riding/running on the road after dark with no illumination or reflective gear, or running in the road during a big snowstorm when conditions are bad for everyone and the shoulders are gone from the piles of snow. But I go to the gym at 4:00 in the morning and often see well-lit runners and cyclists and think nothing negative of it.

jemhh

I admit that when I see a person running in the afternoon on a hot day, my first though is "crazy!" But that's because I'm not much of a hot weather fan and don't really like being out in the sun a lot. I don't actually think that the person is being inappropriate, I just cringe at the thought of doing that myself.

ishepelska

HASWLRS wrote: »

I could run up and down the main street of my small Ontario town (15,000 people) all night long because it is well lit. I wouldn't do that in Toronto, no matter how many lights were on. I think the question should be where and when, not just when.

I feel quite safe in TO, but I do live in a nice neighbourhood.

ishepelska

jemhh wrote: »

I admit that when I see a person running in the afternoon on a hot day, my first though is "crazy!" But that's because I'm not much of a hot weather fan and don't really like being out in the sun a lot. I don't actually think that the person is being inappropriate, I just cringe at the thought of doing that myself.

Haha, that's my boyfriend's reaction to those who run in hot weather. If you are on a trail in the park, though, it's not that bad.

questionfear

I am always impressed with night runners. If you're fitting in the miles, that's all that matters.

Personally I can't do night runs. I will happily head out before sunrise to run, though. I once went for a run before dawn at my parents house, and when I came back in I still had my headlamp on. My mom said I looked like a lost coal miner.

But I echo what others said-reflective gear, lights, mace if it makes you feel safe, phone, and you're good to go.

And fwiw, I love running right when it's starting to snow, or in the rain...it feels invigorating.

ishepelska

Personally, I cringe at every person running on the streets of downtown Toronto.
There is no fresh air!
There is crazy pedestrian traffic!
But it's a norm in big cities.

ishepelska

questionfear wrote: »

I am always impressed with night runners. If you're fitting in the miles, that's all that matters.

Personally I can't do night runs. I will happily head out before sunrise to run, though. I once went for a run before dawn at my parents house, and when I came back in I still had my headlamp on. My mom said I looked like a lost coal miner.

But I echo what others said-reflective gear, lights, mace if it makes you feel safe, phone, and you're good to go.

And fwiw, I love running right when it's starting to snow, or in the rain...it feels invigorating.

You are one of the runners I am always impressed with Running before sunrise? I can hardly make myself get out of bed before 8 am! Running in rain or snow? Looks so cool, but the thought of getting soaked in the middle of the run scares me!

jrline

have a flashlight, wear bright clothing, and always run towards traffic

gobonas99

workoutgrl87 wrote: »

Same as above... although i did have that reaction when I saw a runner running in the middle of the street during a snow storm last year. I mean, its one thing to be dedicated and get it in when you can fit it in, but it's another thing to be completely reckless about it

I frequently ran in the middle of the street during snow storms last winter - and in the dark, at that. granted, it was on the streets in my neighborhood where there is next to no traffic (if I saw two cars during a 30-45 minute run, that was a LOT) - there was one run where I did a half mile loop like 7 times...it was pretty cool to see my footprints from earlier loops disappear with the falling snow. I also always wear reflective gear, blinky lights (on my front and back), wear a headlamp or carry a headlight, and wear clothing appropriate to the conditions (including yaktrax on my running shoes for traction in the snow).

ishepelska

gobonas99 wrote: »

I frequently ran in the middle of the street during snow storms last winter - and in the dark, at that. granted, it was on the streets in my neighborhood where there is next to no traffic (if I saw two cars during a 30-45 minute run, that was a LOT) - there was one run where I did a half mile loop like 7 times...it was pretty cool to see my footprints from earlier loops disappear with the falling snow. I also always wear reflective gear, blinky lights (on my front and back), wear a headlamp or carry a headlight, and wear clothing appropriate to the conditions (including yaktrax on my running shoes for traction in the snow).

Wow, that's dedication.

I am a beginner, so doubt I'll be running in colder months at all, haha.

cheshirecatastrophe

ishepelska wrote: »

Or, maybe, any other situations where you see a runner and go "why on earth is he/she doing this"?

Yes, I think that about myself every day I run.

VioletRojo

The only time I think people are crazy for running is when it's extremely hot, but that's my personal peccadillo as I hate the heat. As long as you're dressed appropriately and running in a safe manner, go for it.

I will grumble to anyone one I'm with when I see runners at night wearing all black with no reflectors or lights. That's irresponsible and stupid.

ishepelska

cheshirecatastrophe wrote: »

ishepelska wrote: »

Or, maybe, any other situations where you see a runner and go "why on earth is he/she doing this"?

Yes, I think that about myself every day I run.

Hahaha

mbaker566

cheshirecatastrophe wrote: »

ishepelska wrote: »

Or, maybe, any other situations where you see a runner and go "why on earth is he/she doing this"?

Yes, I think that about myself every day I run.

ditto.
but dog needs to run and so do i

slimzandra

THIS --> "i did have that reaction when I saw a runner running in the middle of the street during a snow storm last year. I mean, its one thing to be dedicated and get it in when you can fit it in, but it's another thing to be completely reckless about it." ditto.

In New England, the snow banks were extremely high this past winter and driving conditions on unplowed roads were difficult enough to navigate for drivers. If you seemingly jump out from behind a snow bank into traffic on your winter run, please expect to get hit with no apology.

I run at the high school track days/early eves/ & nights. It is well lit and very safe. I'm at the gym and on my treadmill in the basement in the winter. Run any time, but please stay off the roads. Be safe.

rsclause

I wear bright clothing during the day. I usually run at 4:30 AM but must admit that I am a bit lacking in reflective material. Shoes hat and arm band have reflective and some shirts. I always face traffic which is almost non existent at that hour. I am in a small town and stay on the sidewalk unless the road is very wide or a back road. My worst moment was this past weekend during the day. I was in Philadelphia suburbs and miss read the map when I headed out thinking I would be on the main road for only a short time. That turned into four miles on a tight curvy hilly road. By the time I thought this is stupid I could not turn back do to the urgent need to find a bathroom at the park I was heading to. I asked a ranger if there was a better way back but he said the only other way was just as bad. I headed back as it started to rain and started shaking my head thinking that I am a dumb *kitten*. That when the ranger pulled up and offered me a ride, Thank You!

gobonas99

Run any time, but please stay off the roads.

If I had to stay off the roads, I would NEVER be able to run. We have very limited options for trails/tracks here (and good lord, who the hell wants to do a 6+ mile run on a freaking track??). And dreadmills suck, lol (they actually cause hip/knee issues for me, because they force me to change my natural gait, so I won't use one).

Share the road, please.

VioletRojo

gobonas99 wrote: »

Run any time, but please stay off the roads.

If I had to stay off the roads, I would NEVER be able to run. We have very limited options for trails/tracks here (and good lord, who the hell wants to do a 6+ mile run on a freaking track??). And dreadmills suck, lol (they actually cause hip/knee issues for me, because they force me to change my natural gait, so I won't use one).

Share the road, please.

Same here, plus the lack of sidewalks means I WILL be on the road.

gaelicstorm26

We don't get too many runners on the road with snow storms though as a driver it does make me a bit nervous. I'm always a bit concerned with what would happen if I lost control of the car but I have faith that those running in poor conditions are also being extra vigilant.

mwyvr

No such thing as too late. Be well lit and go.

In the winter most of my runs are in the dark... it doesn't much matter if it's 1800H or 0200H, it's dark. I'm well marked, carry a small flashlight (streets) or headlamp (trails), my dog has a flashing light on her - and off we go.

jemhh

I prefer running in the dark at night. My neighborhood has lots of sidewalks and streetlights. I wear light colors but I'm not in the street so I don't worry too much about how much I'm seen.

dawniemate

I prefer early morning but not in the dark. ..not too safe the route I do so much happier if it's daylight. In the uk so 7 am is the earliest. ..last month it was 6am which was perfect! ! Happy running ☺

ishepelska

Of course, running in the dark is unavoidable when the sun goes down at 7, and that's when you get home. But if I see a runner after midnight, I cannot help but think it is odd to be running at such hour. No idea why, because I often feel like going for a run/walk late at night myself!