First run in the dark - interesting....

[GardenGnome12]

Just back from my first properly dark run and I thought I'd share my experience. I live in a tiny village with no street lights so am very used to walking in the dark but this was very different

Setting off with my sons head torch on looking like a very bad wannabe miner, I walked out of the village, turned through the field gate and started to run. It was a route that I know well and I felt confident. The head torch gave a nice amount of light so that I felt confident that I wouldn't fall in an unseen pothole. Well no more chance than an ordinary day any way - I am incredibly clumsy!

Despite all of that and enjoying the cool dense quiet, I found it really hard going

My breathing felt ragged and my calves ached. Everything indicated that I was running too fast so I tried to slow down. Past the barn where the owls roost, through the farm yard, out to the road junction and back the way I came across the fields. I know this run so well and yet I couldn't find my stride. By the time that I reached the gate back to the village, I was done for. Looking at run keeper, I hoped for the little consolation of a good pace but no, it was slower than most of my runs...

So what happened? I think my body/brain was just completely disorientated by the new experience but I would love to know what others think.

It hasn't put me off of night running as I know that I have to get to grips with it if I am to keep up running through the winter and a definite bonus we're the beautiful moon and stars but any hints would be really appreciated 🌟🌙

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

I don't fancy running in pitch black on a cloudy night with no lights, the only exception would be on a clear night with a full moon, otherwise a daylight run for me.

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

I run early morning in complete darkness and I don't mind it, I don't even have a head torch yet 🤣 you have to be 100% alert all the time which can take it out of you but one wrong step and ya could be knackered. I think that why you may not have enjoyed it, most runners like to zone out a little and not worry about where there stepping etc...?

[Maz1103 Graduate]

I struggle later in the day with no energy. Mornings are great but too dark and spooky at the moment. I feel your pain

Maybe it will just take a while to adjust.

[nowster Graduate]

♫ Hi ho—

[Jell6 Graduate]

Yes it's different. I found a big difference when I did a dark evening run, eve though I always did dark morning runs. Probably because I had been on my feet all day, and eaten. You did it though 😊

[Hidden]

Watch out for

Kerbs

Manholes

Molehills

Unlit cyclists

Lampposts

And generally anything that looks hard and painful to bump in to ✅

[PandaCory Graduate]

I started running in the dark (C25K in January), and it was ok - well lit streets mostly. However, now that the dark is coming round again and I'm usually running through the same streets as always, I find I'm going a lot more slowly. I think it's because some of the street lighting isn't great, and some of the surfaces are uneven, so I'm less confident about where my feet are going, even though it's a familiar route. I was feeling a bit glum last night after a v. slow 6k, but having thought about it, I think it's a confidence issue & I need to be braver about just striding out as if it's daylight. Maybe it'll come with practice for us, or maybe a head/chest torch? I do enjoy evening running otherwise, because it's so much quieter.