Darker mornings

[Captainfussy]

The best time for me to go running is first thing in the morning. Im normally out by 6am. As the mornings are getting darker i was wondering what people do when running in the dark.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Personally I just run a little later , I do however wear some high viz clothing .There are some that also wear either a head torch or chest torch

[Michelle2023]

Hi, when I’m out in darker times I wear a high vis vest with reflective tape on it and also red and white lights attached. They are for bikes/cyclists I think and the dog also wears one on her collar so I can see her in the dark. They are only lightweight but effective with either continuous or flashing settings. And maybe a hands free head torch, I’ve got one on a sort of stretchy sweatband.

[RunWillie Graduate]

I’ve got some million mile lights for my flip belt. I run early mornings in the dark if I can’t run later. I love them as there’s no charging faffing! It’s more to be seen than navigate dark streets though 👍🏻

[Ian5K Graduate]

Or the fog, or on icy pavements. It turns a bit tricky all round heading into the last quarter year.Take care, take a phone, take a friend or tell someone where you’re going.

Wear visible clothing. 🙂

[nowster Graduate]

Either I go out with high visibility stuff (usually a fluorescent yellow top over everything else) and also a head torch, or I switch my runs to lunchtime.

[Cowladyrunning Graduate]

I use a high vis jacket, have reflective strips on my leggings and wear a head torch. I tried a chest torch but it moves so much as you run it feels weird! I was quite worried about doing it but actually quite enjoyed going out in dark and coming back as light was starting! I run on a narrow country lane.

[Runningroni Graduate]

I too sport the minion look. Hi-Vis waistcoat ( mine has lights on the back) and a head torch.

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Good question I started running in March this year setting out about 6 just as it was getting light hadn’t thought about the dark! So enjoying your responses i think I have some arm bands somewhere with flashing lights from the pound shop probably for cyclists but same job.I shall now be googling hi vis running vests 👀

[00marks Graduate]

I wear a hi vis vest. Something like this: ebay.co.uk/itm/293574818286 - only £2.50 from ebay (there are many other options if you look).

I also wear a running light: amazon.co.uk/Freehawk-Upgra... (under £10 from amazon).

I have a head torch as well if I want to be a lighthouse!

The most challenging times of year are either when it is foggy or there is ice or snow on the roads. I always go out around 6am and its a great way to start the day.

[Ant50 Graduate]

Like others say, high vis clothing and a head or chest torch for me. The cheap chest torch I have is good as it also has red lights on the back to make me more visible to cars behind me. On the clothing side I have bought a couple of tops/coats from Proviz provizsports.com/en-gb/ I have been amazed by just how visible their gear is. Whilst not too expensive, if you sign up to their newsletter you usually get sent some good discount codes. All good quality and seems to last well.

Finally, also don’t forget your shoes, my ‘winter’ shows have quite a bit of highly reflective material on them, sounds a bit daft but to a motorist behind you it’s amazing how noticeable reflective bits on shoes are, given your feet are constantly moving !

All this might sound like I glow in the dark, but to be honest running at the side of single track lanes in the dark, I would rather glow than not. Still amazed when I pass runners in the dark, who are out in dark clothing, normally black and expect to be seen!

[LouiseA Graduate]

Hi there, I’m an early morning runner too and last winter got a hi vis runners vest from shortsshoes.com and a hi vis buff from Aldi, and feel confident that no one could help but spot me trotting about. I’ve got a head torch too but only used it once as I run along well lit pavements. I’m looking forward to autumn and winter running again - running before the sun comes up with all the twinkly stars to myself! Happy running 🏃🏻‍♀️