Running Safety Month: How To Stay Safe While Running In The Dark
Running Safety Month begins on Tuesday, November 1st. We’re highlighting a few important steps to take to ensure that each of your runs is fun, safe, and successful, no matter when you train. With daylight hours shortening for winter, it’s likely you’ll find yourself running in the dark soon. Running at night or during hours with low sunlight can be a great way to keep in shape or train for a race, whether you’re planning your runs around work hours, or live in an area where daytime temperatures are still high. Follow these five easy tips to ensure you stay safe on every run!
Wear reflective clothing:
When it comes to being seen at night, bright funky colors and patterns show up more easily, and clothing with reflective details reflect light back to the light source, almost seeming to 'flash'. Wearing reflective clothing will ensure you are seen by cars, cyclists with lights, and other runners. Our Reflective SPIbelt is perfect for adding visibility, while keeping your phone and other essentials safe and close at hand.
Light it up:
In addition to helping you to be seen by others, running lights also light the way in darker areas so you can see where you are putting each foot. A favorite classic with runners is the headtorch, but you can get running lights that clip onto your clothing or bag, or wrap around your arm, like our SPIbeams Arm Band.
Run with friends:
Meeting with friends is always a fun idea. Your runs will fly by if you're chatting and catching up, and having company means you're more likely to get out the door in the first place! Running with friends in the dark means you have an extra set of eyes to see any hazards and you are less likely to be approached. Plus two sets of reflective clothing are better than one!
Run in well-lit areas:
As well as wearing reflective clothes and head torches, try to plan your route around well-lit, busier areas. It may not be as peaceful as hitting the trails but with more people around, you are more likely to feel and stay safe.
Stay alert:
If you are alone, resist the urge to run with headphones, as it’s vital that you remain alert at all times when it is dark. When your vision is impaired, you need your ears all the more. If you choose to wear headphones, invest in a pair that is engineered to allow you to remain aware of your surroundings, and remember to keep the volume down. It’s also a good practice to always let a loved one know where you are headed, and when they should expect to see or hear from you again. Running in the dark comes with a few extra challenges, but with a few adjustments, you can train with confidence at whatever time works best for you!
