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In the dark
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Have been lurking a while but here goes:
this time of year the only time I can go out running is in the dark
Does anyone have any safety suggestions as I'm starting to feel a bit wussy about potential twisted ankles, leaves on the pavement, being run over, being mugged, having fireworks let off at me by the youth of today etc... Or tell me to pull myself together young lady?!
I do possess a luminous bib and a torch, but I feel as though I'm running out of routes that are "safe" to run in the dark. If anyone's in the Guildford area and can point out some good places to run as the nights draw in, that would be nice
this time of year the only time I can go out running is in the dark
Does anyone have any safety suggestions as I'm starting to feel a bit wussy about potential twisted ankles, leaves on the pavement, being run over, being mugged, having fireworks let off at me by the youth of today etc... Or tell me to pull myself together young lady?!
I do possess a luminous bib and a torch, but I feel as though I'm running out of routes that are "safe" to run in the dark. If anyone's in the Guildford area and can point out some good places to run as the nights draw in, that would be nice
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Comments
Danni
were i a woman i wouldn't want to run alone in the dark though - can't you try the local running club or something, to find a training partner?
You're more likely to be hit by a pizza delivery van than attacked.
You can minimise your risk of coming a cropper by sticking to well lit areas for instance, main or residential roads, wearing reflective gear, and looking confident. Oh, and never wearing headphones. Ever. And looking both ways before crossing the road. And if you do see anyone dodgy, cross the road or at least run on the road side of them.
As someone said on another thread, on winter nights mot potential attackers are safely and warmly indoors ....
But on saying all this, joining a running club is a good idea
And you do need a little more than common sense to be entirely safe - you need to be faster or stronger than a would-be attacker, for a start.
I *know* that would-be attackers are very few and far between, and I *know* the statistical probability of being assaulted is very small - but I don't find it annoying or a slight to my intelligence when people show concern.
I hate the fact that my heartrate jumps when I come accross someone on my lone runs in the dark. In fact, I hate running in the dark.Running then becomes stressful.
A personal alarm is a really good idea and always let someone know how long you'll be and where you are going.
Nice to see a bit of sensitivity from the males on this topic.
Website for Guildford and Godalming Athletics club. Seem to cater for a range of abilities.
Actually I'm not usually too worried about being jumped - as LizzyB says, it's the traffic that's more of a worry, at least where I live. I do seem to be getting more nervous though - last week I heard a sudden rustling which made me swerve wildly and go all fight-or-flight. It was a smaller-than-average 10 year old scuffing through the leaves up ahead of me. heh. It rather removed the "easy" from my easy run though!
I expect joining a club is what I need to do now - they will know some good routes, and improve my training too. I don't know how I will deal with running in a group though - I quite like being solitary when I run.
Lizzy's points are good ones and will keep you safe in most circumstances.
My biggest concern is always the twisted ankle one for which the only answer is to try and run well lit routes and slow down if you are unsure of your footing. This is one thing which isn't helped by running with a club - our 1km intervals route has places between streetlights where the lighting is poor and tree roots are coming through the pavements - tricky running!
On my last 3 club runs someone has tripped and gone sprawling or collided with crash barriers in the badly-lit town streets. Soggy leaves and wet cobbles don't help.
I run extra carefully now !
As LynneW has said, concerns are more about not breaking my neck. Last week I did a 5-mile route which is all along busy main roads - although one of them is not residential and is quite dark. Last week all the street lamps along this part of the route were out (and still are) and it was pouring with rain. It was impossible to see where the puddles or kerb edges were as there were alos loads of soggy fallen leaves. I ended up with soaking wet feet as I couldn't see where the puddles were and had to walk most of this section as I was worried about tripping up.
Running slower does have some small advantages. Twice recently I've almost fallen flat on my face in the same place after being nearly floored by a raised paving stone. After slowing down I remembered to look out for it and avoided it - I didn't even see it when I was hurtling along at full pelt!
i run in complete darkness, and its great
its also steady on the ground in front - not like carrying torches, which dart about and make you seasick
I kind of prefer running in the dark, makes it more interesting as I concentrate more on where I'm going than the fact I'm running. The only danger there is falling down a hole!
I also have a mobile phone holder that I strap to my arm so I can take my mobile, incase I fall in a ditch and can't get out!
Went for an after dark run with M. last night, and on the badly-lit stretches it made me realise that I just can't run if it is too dark for me to see my own feet.
It was illuminated by fireworks, though - some so loud I nearly jumped into the road !
'course being a big tuff blerk you might not think so, but how about for a fragile girlie?