Although the summer hours mean there’s more daylight, it also usually means there’s more on our daily schedules, so sometimes the only time we have to exercise is before the sun comes up or after it goes down. Running when it’s dark out can be calming and less hectic than working out right after you get home from work, but it also comes with its own set of risks and challenges. Below, we share five tips to stay safe and avoid injury if you’re running in the dark.
Running At Night
Here’s how you can avoid injury or trouble when going for a run at night.
1. Known Path – Stick to a known path when going for a night run. Aside from knowing the terrain, this will also help in the event that you sprain your ankle and need someone to come get you. If you live in a big city, sticking to a known path can also help you avoid some areas that may not be the safest once the sun goes down.
2. Make Yourself Visible – Yes, drivers need to keep an eye out for pedestrians and they are at fault if they hit one in a crosswalk, but you shouldn’t just assume they’ll always be able to see you. Make yourself very visible, either with hi-vis clothing or with light up gear. Also, staying visible helps in the event you suffer an injury and need help from a passing motorist.
3. Be Aware of Your Surroundings – With less traffic on the road and fewer people around, it can be easy to plug your headphones in and zone out on your run. This can be extremely dangerous for a number of reasons, as you always want to know where you are in relation to other people and vehicles. Stay alert when you run and don’t assume that just because you have a cross arrow, that the car turning into your lane is going to give you the right of way.
4. Bring Your Cell Phone – A lot of people use run tracking apps on their phone so they have their phone on them when they run, but this is especially important when you’re running at night. If you’re running in a secluded area, there may not be anyone nearby in the event you suffer an injury or need help. Bring your phone with you on your night runs even if you don’t use it for tracking purposes.
5. Buddy Up – Finally another good idea if you’re going to run at night is to grab a buddy or run in a group. There’s safety in numbers, and again, they can help in the event that you roll your ankle. Look on Facebook to see if you can find a night running community that you can join!