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These are our 8 Tips On How To Stay Safe When Running At Night
Daylight savings time is finally here so we get to enjoy one more hour of sleep! Although this is great news for most people, daylight savings can complicate things for afternoon runners. Instead of our usual post-work sunlit runs, we’ll end up running in the dark! These 8 tips will help night owls and early birds stay safe during their runs.
8 Tips On How To Stay Safe When Running At Night
- Dress in bright colors
- Wear reflective gear
- Ditch the headphones
- Always bring essential items
- Know where others are running
- Run with a friend
- Be aware of surroundings
- Consider joining a running club
Tip #1 – Dress up in Bright Neon Colors!
Dressing in bright and neon colors will make you more visible! This is important because during the night, you want cars to be able to see you or anything that might be moving towards you. Avoid wearing dark colors like black and grey.
Tip #2 - Use Reflective Gear
If neon clothing isn’t your thing, do not worry. Instead, you can wear reflective gear. We just released our brand new and revamped Fitletic Glo Vest. Our Vest is made of lightweight and ultra-soft fabric, and provides visibility at a distance of 600 ft. This is totally worth it if you’re a runner or biker in the early morning/nighttime. It will allow you to enjoy your workout while keeping you safe!
Tip #3 – Do not use headphones!
This is one of the hardest tips to follow. Who doesn’t love running with music? It just makes your run 1000 times better. Unfortunately, running in the dark requires your full attention. You need to be aware of your surroundings and constantly doing 360 degree turns during your runs. Music can completely distract you from that!
Tip #4 - Always bring your cell phone, ID and pepper spray
Just in case of an emergency, it is always smart to be prepared with your cellphone and ID. You can instantly call anyone if needed, and bringing your ID is always a good idea. Carrying pepper spray is another great safety measure to take to feel more secure. Fitletic’s Hydra 16 Hydration Beltis perfect for those night runs since it has reflective accents for high visibility. You can place your pepper spray on the gel clips and it’s roomy enough to carry all of your other belongings.
Tip #5 - Know where you are running
It is best not to explore new routes at night or dark hours of the day to avoid getting lost. Make sure the path you are running is safe, and always stay in populated areas where there is a lot of light and people outside.
Tip #6 - Partner up or let someone know when & where you are going
Some of the best advice we can give you about running in the dark is to go with a partner. Running with someone is not only safer, but it can also be more fun! Not everyone can count on a running partner, especially at night, so letting someone know when and where you are running if you are running alone is best. That way they can check up on you and make sure you are OK!
Tip #7 – Be Aware of your Surroundings & Change Your Route
When we run, our minds escape reality and we forget about everything happening around us. Although this is one of the greatest things running does for us, it is unfortunately not convenient when running at night. We need to be aware of our surroundings, so changing your route every week can help keep you alert. Making this a habit can keep you safer by providing you a change of scenery.
Tip #8 – Join a running club!
Joining a running club is such a great idea! It will keep you motivated, you will meet a lot of people who share the same hobby as you, and it’s a much safer way to run!
I hope you find these tips helpful! Your safety, comfort, and happiness always comes first to us. Hope you all have an amazing and safe running season, and we would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Make sure to leave them in the comments down below!