Is it safe to run outside when it's dark?
noobletmcnugget
Posts: 518 Member
I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
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Replies
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What do you think? Trust your instincts. I can't imagine running without headphones (well I can't imagine running in general), but I suppose it would be a bit safer. I live in NYC and would not be afraid to run alone in the dark...I just avoid certain streets or neighborhoods.0
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I am not comfortable doing that but that's just me.0
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Depends. I run all the time in the dark. I don't use headphones because I don't like them anyway, but I also like to be able to hear what's around me. Situational awareness is king. I'm far more worried about cars not seeing me than anything else. So I have blinky lights and reflective gear.
If I'm trail running I use a bright headlamp.0 -
depends where you live. I could run at 3am in my neighbourhood and be pretty sure that nothing would happen apart from a dog barking at me - if that.
I personally wouldn't listen to music though, even though I know my neighbourhood is safe.0 -
I wouldn't do it . I had a guy come up to me once and started running with me and he didn't seem right, running in shorts with a big scarf on and it was freezing out. He stopped when I started down a busy road. On my way back a lady stopped me and told me there was someone in the bushes flashing others, I am sure this was the guy!0
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If there's a chance you'll encounter a car, it doesn't matter what time of the day it is, listening to music is a big no-no. You need to pay attention to the roads.noobletmcnugget wrote: »I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?
Thoughts?
How do you feel walking around your neighborhood? Personally, there were a lot of stray dogs in my area that would bother me. I stopped running outside after having to use pepper spray on four different dogs, on four different occasions.
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I run fairly regularly in the dark and I am more afraid of tripping or of cars not seeing me than I am of people. I use reflective gear and blinking lights to increase my visibility. I also carry a flashlight to light up areas that aren't lit well by streetlamps. I do listen to music, but I keep the volume low enough so that I can hear what's going on around me.0
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I'd let someone know you are going out for a run before you do. It seems a little tedious, but safe > sorry.0
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I'm from Chicago and I go on runs at night.. but I don't have headphones in and have mace with me at all times lol! It really depends on your area. I would just be very cautious and let people know before.0
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Get a reflective vest and/or a flashlight of some kind (you can get a handheld one or a head lamp).
The vest is REALLY important - helps cars see you. People are very invisible in the dark. With all the gear I have on, you can see me coming from a long ways away, lol. Reflective vest, flashlight, two blinking lights on the back, and my jacket is quite vibrant.
If you feel safe in your neighborhood, go for it. I recommend bringing your phone with you if you weren't planning to and, if you wish to listen to music, get some sport earbuds/headphones that still let in outside noise. I picked up a pair of Yurbuds recently and I can hear my music as well as hold a conversation with a running partner/hear vehicles coming.
Oh, and seconding telling someone you're going out - and, if you have a route planned, pass that on to that person. My boyfriend is my go-to & I'll let him know what route I'm doing and how long I expect to be out. I try to text him once I've finished the run - so he knows I'm all good
~Lyssa0 -
I run late at night after my daughter is asleep; but nothing ever happens in my neighborhood and the neighbors are super nosy, so I feel safe. The biggest risk around here is getting skunked. There isn't much traffic around, but I use earbuds with one bud in and one hanging so that I can hear what's happening around me. I also use an app called Glympse which sends a map to my husband so he can track me on GPS--but that's more in case something happens (I'm a klutz) and I can't make it home. I think if the neighborhood is safe and you plan ahead for conditions, there's nothing wrong with running at night. I honestly prefer it.0
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Nope. Nope. Nope. Crazy people (even if they don't want to hurt me, they will make me a jumpy mess)! Tripping hazards! Cars! Skunks!!!!!
Don't do it.
(voice of experience)0 -
A grue might eat you.0
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I would say use your best judgement and take as many precautions as possible ( bring a flash light, wear reflective gear, have a cell phone on you at all times and stay aware of your surroundings) if something feels wrong, it probably is .0
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Only if you have a gun. I assume in another year you can get a concealed carry permit?0
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noobletmcnugget wrote: »I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?
Thoughts?
When my husky was alive, I felt safe walking in the dark with him.
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kshama2001 wrote: »
Stun gun.0 -
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noobletmcnugget wrote: »I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?
Thoughts?
I used to jog at 4:00 am, now i do it closer to midnight. I don't feel unsafe, but I'm quite disconnected from my surroundings, general.
My female friends have talked about feeling unsafe late at night being out on the streets. Other contributors to this thread have offered advice I'd pass along to my female friends who would be considering exercising alone outdoors at night.0 -
I do it all the time -- either run home from work after dark or run in the morning before it's light (it usually gets light while I'm running, which is cool). It depends on where you live, though -- only you can make that judgment.0
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I do it all the time. I wear this:
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Tried it. Tripped over uneven pavement.0
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kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.0 -
noobletmcnugget wrote: »I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?
Thoughts?
I'm a guy but totally comfortable with it. Grab a light, maybe some reflective/visible clothing, make sure you run on the side of the road that would be the wrong side of the road if you were driving.
I listen to music all the time even if I do run at night. I can see all traffic coming at me, and I guess I've just acceptable the very low probability that if a car were to drift all the way from the right lane, into the left lane and off the road into me I'd be taken largely by surprise.
Of course with a light you can just go on trails and not have cars to worry about whatsoever.0 -
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noobletmcnugget wrote: »I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?
You have to do your own assessment based on the locale.
The biggest risk to me would generally be some cage dweller sitting in their air conditioned box, listening to the radio and not paying attention to what's going on outside. The answer to that is avoiding running in a situation where they might actually hit me, and using high viz and lights to draw attention to myself.
If I'm trail running the biggest risk is tripping over a tree root or something - So a head torch
I have had a situation where a pedestrian startled over me running behind and then past them, and had a go at me with something they were carrying for self defence. The threat there was their own fear.
Take a look at the stats, make your own judgement
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Depends on how fast you can run0
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totally depends on how you feel about your surroundings and the vibe you get. I live in Johannesburg and go to the gym at 4:30am when its still dark, feel safer than I did back in Manchester, UK that's for sure..0
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women prob wouldnt feel as safe running at night0
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