Out just after 5.30 this morning for my first trail run in the dark. Pouring with rain so considered a change of plan but decided to go for it.
As promised in another post, these are my first thoughts on using a head torch. I tried my new head torch on in the house yesterday and found the plastic unit at the front a bit uncomfortable so I wore my buff as a headband and had the head torch over the top. Worked a treat.
Did my warm up walk over a bit of the park that is always dark, to check if the headtorch would be bright enough. It was so I ducked down the footpath between the trees and out towards the fields. There was no problem with visibility (the torch I’ve got is pretty bright) but I did find it helps to know you’re route. You only realise how often you look into the far distance for way markers when you can’t see them.
Did the last km on country road. Encountered five or six cars. All saw me from a distance away though I stepped onto the verge just in case.
Head torch I’ve got is a Petzl Reactic. My first thoughts on it:
Pros: very bright and adjusts to light conditions - good for trails and roads, comfy to wear; torch can be angled up or down a bit for best coverage
Cons: heavy (thought I didn’t notice once running); bit bulky; expensive; no tail light (I’ve ordered a separate one)
As others posted on my original post yesterday I reckon for roads and dark pavements a cheaper, lighter torch (possibly with a tail light) would do the trick. Time will tell on whether the automatic brightness on my one is more than just a gimic. But overall very happy that it’s done the job - I can go on dark routes and can see well enough to run at normal pace without fear of tripping.
By the way - I do use Live Track when I run so my other half can see where I am, just in case. I did love running in the dark and will do so again but definitely worth giving safety some thought if heading onto the trails in the dark.
🦉 “Running wise” 🦉 change is good
Running in the dark?
Running in the dark
5k!
