Anyone run at night?

I run at night all the time. Only you can judge how dangerous your neighbourhood is crime wise. The biggest danger is not being seen by cars a lot of areas I run don't have street lights. I wear a reflective top a head torch and a red led as well. You can never be too lit up.

Agree with what others have said - headlamps, lights, and reflective gear will be your new best friends. I, personally, do not feel completely safe running late at night in my neighborhood (not that it isn't safe, I am just a worrier) so I unfortunately get stuck at the gym running on the dreadmill sometimes... but it's the best I have to work with.

Just be safe and stay on the sidewalk when you can. Always make sure someone knows where you're running and how long you'll be gone, and all that.

I have gotten ice grips for my shoes in the past that really help when there is some ice on the ground that have helped a lot to prevent slipping and sliding all over the place.

I have been running at 4:30 in the morning at least once a week lately, and yes it is dark. I make sure to wear things with reflective strips, and I run on the road, facing traffic. I also have a modified route for these runs, but it works out because I have made this run one of my shorter runs of the week, 4~miles.

I'm thinking of investing in a headlamp, or something similar.

I sometimes run in the morning before the sun is even close to coming up. My suggestions: take your phone, take pepper spray, wear a reflective vest/belt, wear a headlamp or knuckle lights, and walk/run your course in the daylight before your first night run. Also, try not to run with music so you can be aware of your surroundings. I run around my subdivision on the sidewalk. I ran my route a few days before my first morning run to find any uneven/dangerous spots that I didn't want to find the hard way in the dark.

I run at night especially when it is hot out during the day in the summer. As it gets darker earlier, I imagine I'll be still running in the dark even as it cools down. My neighbor hood is quiet and there isn't a lot of traffic. So far I'm just running in bright clothing. My biggest dilemma about running outside is what will happen if we have as cold a winter as we did last year. I already plan on running in all the snow and mix we get, but if it gets dangerously cold again (-20 to -40F wind chills), I don't have a back up.

I run at night because it's a nice compromise between a) not having to wake up early and b) still being pleasantly cool outside. I overheat really easily and it's one of my biggest workout barriers. The fitness room in my apartment building is set for 74 degrees and there are NO FANS, so it's torture for me to be in there. I'm running outside until it gets too cold (I refuse to bundle up because then I'll just sweat), and then I'll move to the fitness room and open the windows so it can be nice and cool in there.

As far as safety goes, I live in a goofy little neighborhood that's brand-new and surrounded by cornfields. I can't leave the neighborhood because there are no sidewalks outside of it, just narrow country roads with no shoulder. So, I do laps. There aren't many streetlights but it seems like every house has a security light that comes on when I get close, so I don't bother wearing a headlamp. Traffic is almost nonexistent past 7 pm and I run around 8. I don't wear headphones, but I do carry my phone so I can get cues from my C25K app.

ETA - somebody higher up mentioned not being able to see obstacles. The contrast between "stuff" and sidewalk is usually high enough that I can avoid rocks or clumps of dirt, but the biggest problem I've had is TOADS! There's a wet meadow in the middle of the neighborhood and the toads just POUR out of it starting at dusk.

I deal with personal safety in my day job and one of the key bits of advice is NOT to wear headphones! This is reiterated by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust which might be worth a gander for some practical advice on personal safety.

It does all depend on the neighbourhood though. I'll happilly go out where I live and run in the dark with headphones (it's populated, off-road on dedicated pathways in populated areas). I do have particular routes that I use at night. Going running and watching the sun set is a most awesome experience.

Edit - If I do run in the dark it is generally early evening, never after 8pm. Just because I like to be tucked up on the sofa by that time of day! :yawn:

I don't run at night, but I do run in the mornings before the sun comes up. I just make sure that I have light clothing and wear reflective accessories. I actually find that people are happier to let you cross the road when its dark out then when they can see you clearly in the daylight. Figures.

Lots of great advice already! The other thing I adjust while running outside and especially at night is the volume of my music. At the gym, I'll crank it up to tune out any ambient noise, but while outside, I definitely turn it down or often just put one ear bud in.

Most of my running is during the day, but I do like running at night. More relaxing I think.

Make sure you carry pepper spray or a knife.

I go out at night too. I live in Hawaii and the part of the island I live on is in the 80's+ pretty much year round during the day.

Along with what others have suggested here think about not going at the same time every night, switch your route up some if you can (I do a loop around the neighborhood sometimes & zig zag thru the streets in the neighborhood other times), carry pepper spray & get a good quality one! My stepdad works in security and sends me Fox Labs Five Point Three Pepper Spray. He has also sent Mean Green, which has a green dye added to it.

In addition to what has already been said, be careful of cars coming in/out of their driveways and get a whistle that you can easily grab and blow if you run into a bad situation.

I run at night all the time. Only you can judge how dangerous your neighbourhood is crime wise. The biggest danger is not being seen by cars a lot of areas I run don't have street lights. I wear a reflective top a head torch and a red led as well. You can never be too lit up.

true dat! lol :drinker:

infrared googles, a flak vest, and locked and loaded. That's the only way I run at night. #creepycreepersBcreep'n

I love running at night. Safety wise, I feel fine in my neighborhood. I have a vest but hate wearing it. I need to get different relfective gear.

I have a simple belt that you wear around your waistline it's stretchy as crap too so you hardly notice it. it's pretty handy