How much light do you need to run by? - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,413 members158,564 posts

How much light do you need to run by?

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperGraduate
14 Replies

I'm trying to plan ahead as the nights draw in...

I do all my week day running after work and live semi rural. I have a lovely route along a lane through the woods. Not a lot of traffic but a bit rough under foot in places.

As the light starts to fail, I'm not sure what to do. I run with my 14 year old son and he said we should just wear head torches and we'll be fine. I'm not convinced. My 48 years of experience tell me I'll be tripping over pretty quick.

Realistically, do I need to head in the other direction along a B-road (with pavement) and infrequent street lights but frequent car lights?

The other option is get up early and run before work on my own, but eventually I won't have enough morning light either. I'm also on medication which makes me drowsy in the mornings.

Are there running torches bright enough to run by?

Help!

Written by
Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-Loper
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
14 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Yep, they are.. high viz vests and head torches...and you will be surprised how much peripheral light there is out in the countryside:)

I graduated in the Winter of 2015..all early morning, dark runs... it was fine.. apart from a couple of scares, one with an badger and one with a ghostly presence:)

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Judging by the appearance of my road, I need to avoid hedgehogs (do they have NO road sense) and horse poo piles as no. 1 priority. Potholes and sticking out brambles joint second.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Langley-Loper

All makes for an interesting run:)

I'm wondering the same thing. My key issue is safety but I usually run with my husband. We have run round the nearby football pitch and there are enough street lights to see where we're going and the path is smooth. This sounds less likely to be a possibility in your location but I reckon your son is right - I've seen other runners with head torches.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Head torches do a pretty good job and come in a range of powers. I run across fields with one and have never tripped. Make sure you get one that fits tight to the head, not projecting too far or they can wobble, which is annoying.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

You buy by lumens according to purpose my run torch is ok or running on lit roads, to be seen, but it would he no good in a dark wood

I think on the a lenser website they have all this stuff explained. I have a Lenser. PETZL ones look good too

You run slower in these circs but that's OK

jo4t15 profile image
jo4t15Graduate

I have a body- worn torch from decathlon which you wear on your chest and it has a back flashing light too. It's very bright and I run on country roads with no pavements and no lights and it did me fine last winter. Sometimes I use a head torch as well. In mist and cold days I found just a head torch lit up the air in front of my eyes and I could t see past it. The body torch was better for that, though I had to get used to it wobbling around when my chest moved, which is I think unavoidable. I'd recommend it.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to jo4t15

Agreed, these are great!

This is the one I use

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

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperGraduate in reply to Millsie-J

Looks like a beast of a light! Thanks for sharing the link.

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperGraduate in reply to Millsie-J

Ordered two (for me and son or daughter) and they arrived yesterday. On charge ready for their first outing. No more needing to rush home from work to get the run done before the light fails!

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperGraduate

Thanks for all the replies. Seems a head or body torch will be sufficient as long as I get one powerful enough to see as opposed to be seen by.

Plus one for my son. Double lights should scare wildlife away too I hope.

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappGraduate

Also, are you able to run in your lunch break at work?

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperGraduate in reply to Whatsapp

Sometimes but I don't often get the full hour I would need to get changed, strap on phone, run, shower, get dressed, recover! I am trying to find some like minded individuals to make it become a recognised lunchtime activity with management support - health benefits and all that...

Theziggy profile image
TheziggyGraduate

I have terrible night vision, (my Mum was the same), so some people have a bit of a disadvantage when running in the dark.

There are some 5K routes in our town under streetlights which are Ok for me.

I have reflective over vest and snap on lights and reflectors but no head torch.

You may also like...

How much alcohol do you drink? Does it affect your running?

haven't noticed any difference in how my running feels the next day. I'm curious to hear about...

How much personal safety do you consider when you go for your run?

I'm running along the pavement and thinking what happens if I get knocked over or have an accident?...

How often do you run?

with a running club – which is fantastic as it gives me the motivation I often need to go running!...

How much distance do you guys cover?

Week 5 run 3. I started slow and had no issues completing the run. Infact, I repeated the run 3...

How do you run on a treadmill?

really) - how do you all manage to run on a treadmill? I have only ever run outside (now in week 8)...