How/when/where does everyone manage to run in the winter? Eventually, with the clocks changing and daylight becoming less there will be almost two months when it is only light between 08:30 and 16:45 approx - when I am always at work.
The weather does not worry me but a lack of daylight may hamper things somewhat...
Do people hit the gym? Running track? Run in the dark - and if so where is it safe? Do you scale back your mileage in the winter or work on specific things, differently from the summer?
Thoughts appreciated.
Brian.
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I didn't run much last winter, but with some races coming up in October and November it's something that concerns me. Safety while running in the dark is something I'm concerned about.
What I'm going to do is cut down my sessions to 5 instead of 6 times a week. This breaks down into 2 running club nights, a run on Saturday and Sunday during the day time, and one before work or evening session depending on the weather and if I can be bothered to get up that early. I don't want to have to join a gym.
Bit of creativity really as suggested above
Join a club - or run with a group, lunchtimes or areas with streetlights.
...or the gym as a very last resort
I run in the dark, in the ice, in the snow. I'm guessing all of you who worry about the risks of being attacked never walk to the shops or anywhere else in the dark?
The main risk is possibility of tripping over...its harder to do speedwork, so I go to the track for that in the winter (it much less busy then as all the sprinters are off doing winter training elsewhere).
And I detest running on roads in daylight even. Just too dangerous.
In built up areas I've never had any problems running at night. Safe as anything else.
I run in the dark in well lit roads
I'm not able to do this near me due to the lack of streetlights, have to drive! I am tempted to get a headtorch though, I have seen lots of people running where i live by headtorch!
I run on streets or in the forests. I wear a lightweight hi-viz vest (Brooks nightlife), a small flashing red LED torch on an elastic strap round my arm (rear-facing) and a Petzel Tikka headlamp if it's necessary to see where I'm going. I feel my biggest risk is being hit by someone who wasn't looking out for me.
There's a saying that there's no such thing as bad weather, only wrong clothing. So I have a good array of tights, long sleeved baselayers and a couple of good rainjackets, gloves and hats, all with some sort of reflective piping for better visibility.
If it's snowing, I wear some Innov8 trailshoes which have better grips than my usual runners. And I just get out there. I think it's good for physical and mental health to be exposed to the weather, whatever the season. And if the weather requires a little bit of a tough, go get 'em attitude, well I just think that contriobutes to the requirement for a tough, go get 'em attitude when running marathons. Enjoy
Any other ideas?
Brian.
Running in the dark in the morning is fab - I use a headtorch because there are no streetlights, and I usually cover between five and ten miles from 5.30am onwards (it used to be earlier when I had to be at my desk in London by 8.30). Some of it's on the main road between villages, some of it's on tiny little wooded roads, some of it's through woods and fields. I have yet to meet any lions, tigers or bears (oh my!) though deer, badgers and foxes seem to be far more scared of me than I am of them.
Best clothing in the dark is reflective, next best is white. Hi viz is better than black, but really only highly visible in daylight.
May need to find a way to do this.
what is your fear of running in places in the dark...........as compared to running those routes in the daylight...........
with high viz and a head torch.......you are fine.............you need rto work out what about it that is making you scared............is it the dark itself or do you think theifs or attackers are more likely to be out in the dark evenings than the light evenings........do they prefer the cold...........
i think that you need to get out there to enjoy the difference of the dark.............the only routes I don't like are those through firtrees but then i don't like them in daylight either.....I prefer the real woods with proper trees
Rain, snow or ice. Light or dark does not matter to me. Have you got anymore chance of being jumped running or walking to the shop?
I went out in the rain and the dark for the first time since "summer" last night. It was brilliant, the air is fresher it's relaxing and to top it all off, I didn't pass one single soul. I much prefer running in the winter as I struggle with the heat but also because all the little nobheads who usually hurl abuse and generally act like idiots are all indoors.
So the idiots are out and about when the weather is nice, it's light outside and you run by yourself?
Is there anyone who could run with you?
I live in a crappy town and the estate I live on there are always big groups of teenagers about, but once it gets cold/wet they disappear.
Maybe I just nee to "man up"
Yep, man up and get out there Just give it ago, you never know, you might like it!
I prefer to run in the dark, but then im very new to runnng and i just dont want to be seen huffing, puffing & red faced . I'm not worried bout idiots or boogymen, they tend to stay in when its cold & dark, but being able to see where im going is a necessity !!
HTH
I suspect I'm more likely to break my neack falling over in the dark than be attacked. That would be the kind of thing that would happen, I'd hit a wonky paving slab or root & go arse over tit!
I joined a club, so that gets me 2 runs mid week, long run at the weekend. Other than that, I have a head torch, which works but is a very strange experience to run with, or choose lit routes, maybe to the park, round it a few times & home again. It's a case of being a bit sensible, but not living in fear of the unlikely hypothetical.
I really like long winters runs though, something entirely satisfying about seeing your breathing and feeling the contrast between the cold on your face and the warmth generated internally. That and the completely disbelieveing looks from walkers who are wrapped up in umpteen layers while I'm still in capris!
Helen Liz and her capris
Sorry it was just the image that came into my head.
During the winter and infact all year round I get up at 5 5.30am to run. Its now dark in the mornings so I have to run the streets rather than the loverly country side. The only peole I see are the early shift workers and dog walkers, I feel safe in the mornings
I can understand why you people can be a little put off with running in the dark, I combat this with running along well populated routes (houses and businesses) and taking my phone with GPS and my music on. I only wear one ear piece and have the music or audio book quite low so I can hear what is still going on around me. Also everyone knows that murders and kidnappers don't get up till lunchtime!
The other thing is to try and go out for a early morning run it gets lighter while you run, rather than darker. I am member of a club and go to club night at least once a week. I have encouraged a number of work friends to take up running and we often use it as a excuse to get out of the office on time and run together. Last year we went out in the rain and the snow the trick is to concentrate more. and watch what you are doing
As for the cold, I mainly wear a long sleeve top, t-shirt over that, then something vaguely waterproof as a final layer and long running tights. For head wear usually a beanie hat and gloves which I normally take off after 15-20 minutes (too hot!)