Running: how late is too late?

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Replies

  • ishepelska
    ishepelska Posts: 59 Member
    Aside from what others have said (light/headlight, reflective clothing, avoid high-crime areas, run against traffic if you can't avoid roads,etc.), I would also suggest being cautious not just about motorists being able to see you, but also about what can see you and you can't see it. Specifically, depending on your area, you may need to be aware of bears, wolves, moose, cougars, etc. Having bear spray works for human or animal predators.

    ETA: Moose obviously wouldn't eat people, but you could inadvertently get too close to a calf or something and get charged by the cow. In that case, taking cover behind a tree works well.

    Had an image of a moose chewing on grass in the middle of Toronto, with a bear slowly running beside me :smiley::))). I did see a fox near my building though.
  • SuggaD
    SuggaD Posts: 1,369 Member
    My schedule is crazy, so I run at all hours. I do prefer early mornings or really late at night and hate mid-day runs, especially in the heat (aka, HAR - hot *kitten* run).
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    ishepelska wrote: »
    Aside from what others have said (light/headlight, reflective clothing, avoid high-crime areas, run against traffic if you can't avoid roads,etc.), I would also suggest being cautious not just about motorists being able to see you, but also about what can see you and you can't see it. Specifically, depending on your area, you may need to be aware of bears, wolves, moose, cougars, etc. Having bear spray works for human or animal predators.

    ETA: Moose obviously wouldn't eat people, but you could inadvertently get too close to a calf or something and get charged by the cow. In that case, taking cover behind a tree works well.

    Had an image of a moose chewing on grass in the middle of Toronto, with a bear slowly running beside me :smiley::))). I did see a fox near my building though.

    Well... some of us live in rural areas. Where I live, the worst are coyotes and the occasional cougar. Some others live in rural areas with bears, moose, and other dangerous animals. I do a lot of hiking, and I'm very aware that moose injure and kill more Americans than bears, cougars, and wolves combined.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    Heading out now at 2330H, probably won't be back until 0130H if these new shoes feel delightful.
  • patrikc333
    patrikc333 Posts: 436 Member
    ishepelska wrote: »
    patrikc333 wrote: »
    as long as it's safe, you don't run in the middle of the motorway or in the dark, never.

    I was out once at 3 am and was actually impressed about how many commuters were out to catch a bus/train, and the reason was that I had to catch a flight at 6am, so haven't done because I'm crazy, but because it was the only time I could fit in the day something I am committed to do (and wanted to enjoy looooooooots of Italian food afterward :smile: )

    3 am! That's commitment :).
    But you see, you mentioned not "because I'm crazy", so the assumption is that running at 3 am is odd.

    well, it is a bit just because the majority of people sleep during the night

    but for runners, it's not because someone want to show off for example, but because they love to do it and - at least personally - running is something that needs to be done during the day, that is seen as a 24h window opportunity :smile:
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    Running at night is very peaceful. I would never run during the day a route along major streets like I did tonight -- too crowded, too much traffic. At 0130... nice and peaceful. Did not spot any coyotes (we have plenty here in the city, yes we do).
  • SpleenThief
    SpleenThief Posts: 293 Member
    I find that after I've eaten at Chipotle and stopped off at Cold Stone Creamery on the way home, it's much to late to run.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    my fav time is 4 am in the dark and in the winter and in the snow
    so so looking forward to this. well, i think i am. we'll see when it actually happens
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    mwyvr wrote: »
    Running at night is very peaceful. I would never run during the day a route along major streets like I did tonight -- too crowded, too much traffic. At 0130... nice and peaceful. Did not spot any coyotes (we have plenty here in the city, yes we do).

    Back when I was running a lot I'd do it on farm roads in the wee hours of the morning around the small town where we lived at the time. I would always report 2 things in my running log. How many shooting stars I saw (avg 4) , and how many critters.

  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    edited September 2015
    ishepelska wrote: »
    Aside from what others have said (light/headlight, reflective clothing, avoid high-crime areas, run against traffic if you can't avoid roads,etc.), I would also suggest being cautious not just about motorists being able to see you, but also about what can see you and you can't see it. Specifically, depending on your area, you may need to be aware of bears, wolves, moose, cougars, etc. Having bear spray works for human or animal predators.

    ETA: Moose obviously wouldn't eat people, but you could inadvertently get too close to a calf or something and get charged by the cow. In that case, taking cover behind a tree works well.

    Had an image of a moose chewing on grass in the middle of Toronto, with a bear slowly running beside me :smiley::))). I did see a fox near my building though.


    In your picture it looks like your laying down relaxing on a treadmill.

    Back on topic what ever time works best for you. I am fortunate I work at a facility next to some nice parks I get my run in during my lunch hour. I do not mind running in freezing weather (32F) but once that arctic wind sets in (- anything) I am pretty much done running outside. 18 degrees is great no one around very quite in the middle of the day a light snow on the ground talk about peaceful.
  • ishepelska
    ishepelska Posts: 59 Member
    mwyvr wrote: »
    Running at night is very peaceful. I would never run during the day a route along major streets like I did tonight -- too crowded, too much traffic. At 0130... nice and peaceful. Did not spot any coyotes (we have plenty here in the city, yes we do).

    I should just try it.

    It's a good point about coyotes. Definitely won't be running in a park at night. Brrrr...
  • ishepelska
    ishepelska Posts: 59 Member
    I find that after I've eaten at Chipotle and stopped off at Cold Stone Creamery on the way home, it's much to late to run.

    LOL
  • ishepelska
    ishepelska Posts: 59 Member
    edited September 2015
    belgerian wrote: »
    In your picture it looks like your laying down relaxing on a treadmill.

    Isn't this what treadmills are for? :hushed:
  • SuggaD
    SuggaD Posts: 1,369 Member
    Ran last night between 11 and 12:15. Perfect temp and peaceful! Had an awesome run!
  • aarar
    aarar Posts: 684 Member
    I've been out as late as 1:30am and left the house as early as 3:30am. So I'll say that between 1:30am-3:30am is definitely too late to be out running :p

    Seriously though, days can be so busy; sometimes late nights are the only time I can fit it in.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    ishepelska wrote: »
    belgerian wrote: »
    In your picture it looks like your laying down relaxing on a treadmill.

    Isn't this what treadmills are for? :hushed:

    Yes, better to lay on a treadmill than to run on a dreadmill.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    back in the day I worked odd hours...I used to run anywhere between 11 PM and 2 AM. wear the proper safety gear and understand your environment.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I'm an early morning runner and run outside all year 'round.

    I've seen bear prints in the snow but the black bears around here are pretty shy around people (even though I wouldn't recommend getting between a mother and her cubs....), my biggest concerns are actually dogs (I haven't had a problem but a couple of friends have been bitten), geese (they're just jerks) and skunks.

    The only people I think are crazy are the ones who seem to think they're ninjas (cyclists too), I'm not sure if they're suicidal or just oblivious. Even with my reflective gear and petzl headlamp I run defensively and assume every motorist is out to kill me.
  • ishepelska
    ishepelska Posts: 59 Member
    Oh wow, if I saw bear prints, I would definitely keep running...for my life.
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