These dark evenings; how can you stay safe?

[Sweatyfaced]

So I am relatively new to running (five months in!) which means that largely I have had lovely light evenings to run in. But September has arrived and hubby said to me today; "you can't go out, it's too dark and not safe". And he's right; I get home from work just after 8pm and it's too dark to be heading out for an hour of running on unlit lanes (I live in the sticks). Mornings will be dark too soon, as I leave for work at 7.15am and anyway, running before work would mean a 5.30am start and I would literally die!!!

How do you all run and stay safe over winter? My kit is light coloured and reflective but even so....

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

I ran country lanes and fields when I did C25K.. the winter of 2015....high viz gear... flashing belt...alarm watch...(some folk also have head torches..) I run early all year round....rain or shine... darkness and light.... Most folk who run on here, are lit up like Christmas trees

So... you either get up early... ( yes you can) I got up at 5, when I worked....or you go out evenings.... choose routes you know and go slower and steadier than ever

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Any recommendations for lights??

And I know people do get up in the morning but I am really not a morning person... I am definitely an owl!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sweatyfaced]

You may find you like it though.... gives you a real head start on the winter days

I will trawl through some posts and see if I can find recommendations

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sweatyfaced]

I know JoolieB1 has one ...

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Sweatyfaced]

This is mine ...(I personally hate wearing head torches!)

decathlon.co.uk/run-light-r...

[Millsie-J in reply to Sandraj39]

I have this too😃😃😃

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

I guess it depends on where you run and how safe you feel - sounds like you are quite isolated. Once the nights close in I keep my country trails for the weekend. On weekdays I run after work (but usually earlier than you) on the quiet residential roads where I live. I do run on a couple of unlit lanes so have a running chest light from Decathalon which lights my way beautifully. It also has a red flashing light on the back (like cyclists often have) so I am easily seen by cars from behind too. I did feel a little unsure when I first ran in the dark but know my area is pretty safe and really enjoyed my quiet evening runs in the dark last year. Bottom line is you have to feel safe though, so will be interested to read the other replies. Could you drive to somewhere you feel safer and that is better lit etc? 🙂

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

I run in the mornings, very early, about 6 am and it really is very dark! I have a head torch, but am not too enthusiastic about I as it doesn't seem to fit properly, no matter how I tighten or stretch the straps. So I tend to run around my local streets, on the pavements, lit by the street lamps. Munich is one of the safest cities in Europe, so I don't feel threatened, but I don't run through the patches of woodland and country tracks near the local sports fields, or in the park, just as a precaution. The pavements can be uneven though and I have landed on my knees on a number of occasions. I can run along busy streets, if I want, or really quiet residential areas. But they're not as good as my beloved woodland tracks. I miss the summer already!

[skysue16 Graduate10]

I have a chest light too, which is very good and has a red light at the back. I haven't used it much as I am lucky enough to be able to run during the day.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Oh, I can't wait to wear my chest light again! Won't be long now...!😀🏃🏽‍♀️

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

Is it possible for you to run during the day? Does your work have showers? I know I could never have run during the day because it takes me about an hour to return from being so beetroot-faced, but there are people who don't 'glow' as much as I do and you may be one of them

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to Anniemurph]

I am not only a beetroot but also a sweaty beetroot!!! Yes we have showers but I just take ages to cool down!! 😂

[SC1472 Graduate10]

If you can't run during the day - have you thought about a run immediately after work but before you go home? I don't know where you work or what the roads are like.

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to SC1472]

Central London; it's very flat and and really bad Air Quality!! Plus even that won't work come October when it will be dark before I leave the office!!

[SC1472 Graduate10 in reply to Sweatyfaced]

That's a shame - it was just a thought. If you want to be seen (and they aren't cheap) have a look at provizsports.com as they do a reflect 360 range which includes a running gillet and running jacket that completely lights up in car lights. I have a cycling jacket and a cover for my rucksack as I have to cycle half a mile along a 50mile an hour unlit road to get home from work.

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to SC1472]

Will check them out; it's my birthday soonish and i know someone I can twist round my little finger! 😂

[misswobble Graduate10]

Night runner here too, all year round. I have a very small, neat LED Lenser running head torch, it has a rear red light. Both lights flash if reqd to do so. Mine was about £18. It was recommended by Teafairy on here 🙂🏃‍♀️👍✔️

I think road running with no pavements is dead risky and unpleasant. Your off road trails sound more promising but you will need more lumens if there is no street lighting.

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Hmmm, no off road trails used at mo although there are footpaths i could try... my favourite hill which i used to run up through a field has just been ploughed for autumn making the going impossible underfoot!

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10]

Yeah, I run on unlit roads/ lanes with no pavements cos that's all there is round here.

There are showers at work but I generally work through lunch and am a sweaty beetroot after a run for ages too! Plus I work in central London and am asthmatic so I would worry about sucking too much pollution in!

Sounds like lights on my head, chest and back will be the best idea. I will go overboard no doubt! I did go out at 5.15am this morning to try it out and haven't felt too bad today (defo better than i thought i would) but it was dark. Lovely sunrise as i was doing my cool down walk though!! I will give it one more go on Friday to see how it is... you are probably right, I could get to love it... plus I feel like there was less traffic and it was slower....

[MarkyD Graduate10]

I live in a village with no street lights and limited pavement, so have a similar problem. I sought out a running route in a nearby town - Thatcham - where there is a 10km loop, 100% on pavements and very wide pavement/cycle-track all well street-lit. I have convinced myself that the town planner was a runner. There is always a steady stream of runners at all times of the evening. So I head over there with my hi vis gear in the evening and can run any distance that I want, in safety. There are several side roads to cross, but that is the nature of running in town.