Enter the dark Side

[ju-ju-]

As we draw close to the darker months I have seen a few posts on motivation to run in the dark, so I thought I would share mine in the hope it might get you going!

1. No one can see you so you can look as daft as you feel obliged ( I like a bit of random dancing)

2. wearing a head torch makes you feel like a professional ( or a minor!!)

3. you can startle cyclists and drivers alike with your beam of light

4. The rain looks like glitter and you can pretend you are on a spaceship going through space ( or is that just me?!!!)

5. You can get all smug about it

6. watching the sun rise is therapy for the soul

7. If you run in the dark it burns more calories*

8. You can pretend you are a panther hunting its pray ( or is that also just me?!!!)

9. You can take interesting pictures of unknown objects for this montht beyond C25k Facebook challenge

So- go on, get your head torch on and go for it

Happy Panthering

Juicyju

[Hidden]

My husband runs early in the mornings when it is still dark, through the local woods. He says the worst thing is when his head torch catches the foxes eyes and all he can see is these bright lights moving towards him through the trees !!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Wow that sounds scary! When ive run to work before the rabbits eyes look pretty scary too!!!

[simonwilliamstutor Graduate]

I startled a few dogs this morning with my headtorch.

I like to pretend I'm one of the Minions when I have my headtorch on!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to simonwilliamstutor]

Well done! And I love it... Minions are the best

[Ugifer]

After the number of puddles I ran through last night, I'm seriously considering this!

That and the panther thing!

Ugi

PS judging from the picture, you are a miner rather than a minor!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Ugifer]

Hee hee I can't spell either 😜 Excellent, get panthering and enjoy yourself....

[runswithdogs Graduate]

#5. Fully agree. Applies to very cold weather as well.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Exactly 👌🏽

[ajwyld Graduate]

Yup - I'm now doing 2 runs a week in the dark and really like it. (But am looking forward to tomorro morning's daylight run as well...) I run where there are streetlights so don't bother with a headlamp.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to ajwyld]

Well done, and yes I'm looking forward to running in daylight today although it's pouring and blowing a hoolie!!!

[davelinks Graduate]

Thought you were digging down the coal mine there jj😁

Great post!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Thanks... 😜

[roseabi]

Yayyyyyy! Awesome post. Happy Friday!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to roseabi]

Happy Saturday 😎

[Vixchile Graduate]

Great tips!!!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Vixchile]

Thankyou!!

[sarah469 Graduate]

I need some more motivation so this post was very welcome!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to sarah469]

I'm so pleased, hope you got out there??

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Ha ha! Love some of those juicyju! Especially the one about the rain looking like glitter! I am going to have to dig out my camping head torch and throw caution to the wind! (You honestly look a lot better in a head torch than I do!!😧)The last couple of runs I've had have been just before it get dark, but it was pretty gloomy running down the old railway line and I was really aware that I was struggling to see what was on the track in front of me at times. Not a good plan! Anyway, it really is going to unavoidable if I want to increase my distance...so here's to the (runnning) creatures of the night!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Yes get your head torch out, it's so easy to get an injury running if you can't see anything! And I bet you look just fabulous X

[Sharonb9999 Graduate]

I've never used a head torch but I need to increase my distance this winter so I'll be out longer & trying different routes. On Thursday my route took me by the local grave yard. It's on a main road that is has lights and they were all on except the couple by the grave yard main gates. Queue Thriller sound track playing in my head!! It boosted my pace for a while ☺☺ I'll be consulting Amazon later today for a suitably bright head torch - we're talking Wembley Stadium /Las Vegas here!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Sharonb9999]

Very sensible I don't like the idea of running around graves in the dark!! 👻👻👻

[sneezingpanda Graduate]

I went for my first run in the dark and dense fog this week, had been nervous about it all day and nearly didnt go but SO glad I did - sonething liberating about knowing no one could see how red my face might be

felt less self conscious than running in daylight...

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to sneezingpanda]

Well done, and it has its plus points doesnt it?!!

[Theziggy Graduate]

So a head-torch takes years off - that's what I've been looking for JJ

[Purple_faced_woman Graduate]

I just bought myself one of those hats from Aldi with the really bright lights on the front.

I ran in the dark by mistake recently on an unfamiliar ex-railway line on the Trans-Pennine Trail. It was lovely when I set off running along under the trees, setting myself goals of reaching the next bit of light where there's a clearing.

And then it became night. There are no streetlights. There are no buildings nearby. Nothing but me and the track with my newfound inability to see the puddles and avoid them. Worse than that was the occasional pile of horse poo - I stumbled several times but fortunately didn't fall. And then I began to notice noises in the music - the sound effect of pieces of pipe being banged together by wasteland mutants as the drive the heroine into a trap... do you know, I ran for longer and probably faster than I've ever done before on the way back to civilization!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Purple_faced_woman]

That must have been terrifying!!! I am not surprised you ran so fast back!!!

[1968u Graduate]

I ran last winter in the dark with a head lamp without a second thought. This year I'm a complete scaredy cat and completely spooked. Last year I ran mainly 5ks and its the longer distance in the dark that terrifies me. I live in a rural area with very little street lights. Any tips guys?

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to 1968u]

I have to admit I stick to shorter runs in the dark but I did occasionally run to work where daylight appeared which was lovely!! Were you scared even with the head torch? Have you a dog??

[Tattoojunkie30 Graduate]

Also when the dawn is just right you look like your running through a tim burton film so in my head i hear "whats this?" And "halloweentown"