14 Tips for Running in the Dark

Runner safety. Just another story of a runner getting attacked. This girl bit her attacker and chased him!

And there were two attacks in the Cleveland area a month and a half ago. Thankfully this guy has since been caught and charged.

I’ve already done two previous posts on this topic (here and here) and it doesn’t seem like it will ever be any less dire. Unfortunately this is the world we live in. Runners need to stay alert and aware, and keep safety as their top priority despite any mileage that needs to be accumulated for training runs.

It seems as though attacks on runners are becoming more and more commonplace. Whether that’s true or we just hear about them more often, I’m not really sure. But what I am sure about is that my personal safety is my number one priority, hence why I have just bought some self defense equipment from Guardian Self Defense. Now that fall is here and winter is close behind, the days are becoming shorter and darker. My great friend lives less than a mile and a half away but to get to our meeting spot means I run a mile solo. What’s a girl to do? Well, I drive. Despite our route going very close to my house, now that it’s dark in the morning, I feel safer driving to her instead of meeting her on foot.

Last Friday morning I was planning to meet my friend to run in the early morning hours. It hasn’t been getting light out until 7:30 or so in our area, and honestly I’m just too scared to run alone in the pitch dark. Yes, we have streetlights, and yes there are things I can wear or take with me to make myself more visible. But to me it just doesn’t seem worth it. I love nothing more than to run in the warm, wee hours of summer when the sun is just peeking over the horizon. But those days are over until at least April, perhaps even later.

Many runners have begun complaining about the dark mornings and some have opted to move indoors. But for those brave souls who will continue to run in the dark, here are some tips to help keep you out of harms way on your run.

14 Tips for Running in the Dark

1. Run with a running group.

Photo courtesy of http://drmichellecleere.com

2. Drive to your partner instead of meeting on foot.

3. Got a dog? Canine companions make great running buddies, too.

My friend Alden’s running pal!

4. Wear a headlamp. Petzl makes some great ones.

5. And a reflective vest! Check our BraceMart for an assortment of items.

6. Or a vest that glows… from NoxGear!

7. Opt for an indoor run on days that look especially dark and dreary.

8. Run on well lit roads.

9. Invest in a watch or device with an SOS feature (check out Cuff, bia sports watch, or Timex ONE GPS+).

bia sports watch

10. Run with mace or pepper spray.

11. Consider wearing a personal alarm.

12. When running pre dawn or post sunset, only run in familiar areas. Now is not the time to try a new route or trail.

13. Always tell someone your route and your expected finish time.

14. Always run with your phone.

Thankfully I have a treadmill I can use for when the darkness — or cold, whichever comes first — becomes too much to bear. I’m not looking forward to it but it’s better than not running at all!

Click here for some additional tips for staying safe on the run. Thanks to Runner’s World for putting this video together. And bookmark this page to remind yourself of these safety tips during the spring thaw when we’re all itching to get outside.

Stay safe, friends!