Running when it's dark

I actually have a race at the end of the month that is in the dark called Moonlight Dash Pajama Run.. I have yet to do this training in the dark. It is still very very hot and I am conditioned for the very early a.m.

Have you thought about getting something that glows or led lights for the wrists, neck?

edited to add: if you carry your phone (use it for music, etc) have you considered downloading an flashlight app on your phone?

AigreDoux wrote: »

Thanks!

I do carry my phone but in a flip belt and hate having stuff in my hands while I run. Some of the streets I run on have streetlights but not all. That's why I thought a head light might be good.

My husband jokingly said I could borrow his head light lamp, and as he was seriously not serious as I really did not want to look like a coal miner running down the street!

There are glow in the dark patches you can also buy for your clothes. I have found some, but the designs were not my liking. We have very very dark streets where I like to run, and I just do not run that route unless it is a later in the morning or day time.

I run at 5am. I love running in the dark. I tend to run on the road and then move to the sidewalk when a car approaches. I try not to take too many small side streets with limited street lights, but do have to take a few. I also wear reflective clothing no lights though. Your eyes adjust to the darkness and you can actually see better and further if you don't have a light.

I run in the dark, and wear a reflective vest and a blinking light on my shirt. This one. https://www.nathansports.com/strobelight-led-clip-5071n

I feel safe that cars will see me, and there are enough street lights for me to see as I run.

It's bright enough here that I don't have to worry about seeing things. But in the dark, I do have a blinky light I put on my ankle. It's from RoadID.

I probably should wear something for visibility, but I don't. I live in a very small town and I rarely see more than a half dozen vehicles on my one hour 5am runs, and one of them is usually the city police officer making his rounds.

I do play it safe by running a route that I am very familiar with, I know pretty much every curb and sidewalk crack on that route! About 1/2 of my miles are on the high school track where I only have to worry about "traffic" if there's an early football practice. Normally, I don't care to run circles, but in the dark it's kind of meditative and relaxing.

i have a reflective vest and arm and leg bands
i also have a hat with LEDs on it

I use knuckle lights as well, more so for visibility to other cars, along with a bright Diamond Icon headlamp. They also make good fill lights for my headlight, and the multiple lights at different angles helps to pick up bumps and dips better. The knuckle lights I can point in the direction of vehicles as I cross so they can see me well. Even at dusk, the knuckle lights REALLY make a difference in how vehicles react to me.

I do, on a dedicated run/walk/bicycle trail, usually between 10pm and 2am. I have to go about 1/2 mi to get there.

The whole way is pretty well lit (think twilight) with house lights, street lights, and some lighting for the trail. I can see people at least 1/2 mi away and distinguish colors as long as I stay on the near side of the lake. The far side is very poorly lit and I've gotten into trouble there with not being able to see where I was going.

I do wear typical reflective gear (stripes on the shirt, etc) although I don't think they're terribly effective. Someone running/walking has plenty of light to see me a long way off without. The only ones that are a problem are the bicyclists that don't use lights on their bicycles (illegal in my city). Problem is that without more than the ambient light, the reflective gear doesn't reflect very well. I should wear small lights so it doesn't matter, but haven't picked any up yet.

I do run with my phone. I've injured myself running and know better than to head out without one.

Yes, headlight, reflective clothing, my phone armband has some reflective surfaces, and my water bottle has reflective material on the hand-strap (Nathan brand).

This isn't a direct answer to the above question, but since two runners were hit by cars in my area just in the last day, I do want to remind everyone who runs or walks on roads without sidewalks, to FACE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. That means always walk/run on the LEFT side of the road with the traffic coming at you. This is the law in many states and strongly recommended everywhere else. That way, if a car is coming at you, you will know it and can get out of the way. While light colored clothing, reflective tape and lights are helpful, and necessary, for safety, they still are no guarantee that drivers will notice or see you. Be extra cautious when going up hills and around curves, as it is very hard for cars to react fast enough to avoid you. Good luck with your weight and exercise journeys and be safe out there!

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

dahliacats wrote: »

This is the law in many states and strongly recommended everywhere else.

It always amuses me that in the so-called land of the free there are laws about so many things like this. It's almost as one can outlaw stupidity.

I'm a big fan of darwin awards

Traffic regulations aren't overregulation. If you want to be on the road with everyone else, it's good to have rules.

As someone who drives at night, please wear light colors and reflective clothing. I don't want to injure anyone, and seriously appreciate runners and bikers who take extra steps to make themselves visible! I try to wear light/neon colors when I run in the early morning before the sun is up, and also avoid running through intersections until I'm certain I'm visible and not obscured by parked cars, shrubbery, trees, etc.

(I can see not wanting a headlamp too, but maybe a hat, visor, or reflective headband?)

laur357 wrote: »

As someone who drives at night, please wear light colors and reflective clothing. I don't want to injure anyone, and seriously appreciate runners and bikers who take extra steps to make themselves visible

As someone who's been hit by a cage dweller whilst wearing hi viz, head torch, body lamps and facing the correct direction, I have a lot of sympathy for those who see that as a complete waste of time.

Notwithstanding that I do agree that one should do as much as possible to minimise the risk.