Are you one of those people who likes to get up before the sun and work out? Do you find that running in the evening helps you alleviate stress that’s accumulated over the course of the day? If you answered yes to either of these questions, there’s a good chance that you’re exercising when it’s dark outside, or at least limited light. This obviously makes it harder to be seen by vehicles, and you’re going to lose any encounter when it’s person vs. vehicle.
With that in mind, we want to share some tips for staying visible and injury-free if you’re one of those people who likes to run when there is limited sunlight outside. Below, we share five tips for staying safe if you’re running when it’s dark outside.
Safe Running In Limited Light
Be easier to be seen and be hyper aware of your surroundings if you’re exercising before dawn or after twilight. Here are some safety tips from Dr. Silverman.
1. Increase Your Visibility – When it’s tough to be seen, take some extra steps to increase your personal visibility. Reflective gear, headlights or flashing objects on your clothes can help unsuspecting drivers see you before it’s too late. Don’t go running in black sweatpants and a dark top – wear bright and reflective clothes instead.
2. Adjust Your Headphones – When you’re running on a treadmill, you can probably crank up your wireless earbuds and let your mind slip away into the music without harm. If you’re out for a run in the dark, you don’t have the same luxury. Turn down your volume or only use your earbuds in one ear so that you can still hear your surroundings. When you’re better able to hear potential hazards around you, there’s a decreased likelihood that you’ll end up stepping in front of a vehicle.
3. Choose A Safer Route – We understand that you may want to run on a paved road or a nature trail, but these areas can be a bit more dangerous when it’s dark out. Try to run in a well-lit area that doesn’t have you running on busy roads or down secluded areas. Make it easier to be seen or heard in the event you end up needing assistance.
4. Run With A Friend – Double your visibility and have a companion nearby in case of an issue by running with a friend or family member. There is safety in numbers, and you can greatly reduce your risk of a vehicle collision if you’re running in a pair or an even larger group.
5. Be Prepared For The Weather – Finally, keep an eye on the weather and try to avoid some potentially hazardous times of day. While there is likely to be less traffic early in the morning or late at night, you may also find that fog or rain can be even more detrimental to your visibility at these times of day, so try to avoid foggy or wet weather if at all possible. Make sure your running shoes can handle any weather-related issues you may encounter during your run.
For more tips on staying safe during early morning or late night runs, connect with Dr. Silverman and his team today.