Night running - General running

Miles Nicholson

04/11/2011 at 10:13

I started running in March and ran The Royal Parks Half Marathon last month (my first experience of a half marathon). I really enjoyed running during the summer after work when the evenings were light. However, all running has now stopped because of the lack of daylight. I refuse to join a gym, so the only other option is night running. I live in the countryside - there's no street lighting.

Does anyone have any advice about night running? Is it possible with a head torch? My only slight concern is that there is more risk of injury (e.g., twisted ankle).

PJAZ

04/11/2011 at 10:20

Miles

Night running with a headtorch - even off road on fells and trails - is fantastic fun and once you've done it you'll wonder why you ever doubted it.

Get a good headtorch (the Alpkit gamma is a popular/good value choice) and get out there.

Intermanaut

04/11/2011 at 10:21

Get a decent headtorch - something like the Petzl Tikka Plus - the new version is very bright and has a decent range. Also get some sort of flashing red LED to wear on your back.

When running in the dark I tend to pay more attention to the ground ahead, rather than looking around at cows and sunsets as I run.

Miles Nicholson

04/11/2011 at 10:31

Thanks guys - very kind of you to reply and offer such good advice. I'm definitely going to give it a go!

cougie

pirate

04/11/2011 at 10:32

Wheres Jj ? I know she does her runs in the early morning off road and with the Alpkit. (and that comes with a flashy red on the rear)

xine267

04/11/2011 at 11:26

PJAZ wrote (see)

Miles
Night running with a headtorch - even off road on fells and trails - is fantastic fun and once you've done it you'll wonder why you ever doubted it.
Get a good headtorch (the Alpkit gamma is a popular/good value choice) and get out there.

Agreed, its lots of fun! I thought running with a headtorch might be annoying but its no different to having a sweat band on. Also make sure you have some reflective clothing so you can be seen from behind - especially if you are running along poorly lit roads.

Or you could get a pair of rather fetching flashing armbands, if you want to create the world's smallest mobile rave They are about £4 a pair online

Peter Collins

04/11/2011 at 11:28

Just on a slightly different tack, and this isn't for everyone because you need showers at work, but I go running several lunchtimes a week. It's always light.

Muttley

04/11/2011 at 11:32

Now that the evenings have drawn in I have to do most of my running by headtorch. As the others say, the Alpkit Gamma is recognized as the best value by a country mile. It's the perfect starter headtorch. There are better and brighter ones out there but they cost a lot more. At £12.50 including duracell batteries and P&P, I'd say get one of these. If it's not enough, you haven't lost too much.

Edited: 04/11/2011 at 11:35

Never Give Up Girl

04/11/2011 at 15:15

Jeezz just spent £12.50 and I was only surfing..

bloomin good deal thanks for that Muttley..

Intermanaut

04/11/2011 at 15:23

Expect to see your times improve while running trails at night. I find that the monsters lurking in the bushes spur me on a little bit faster. I'm not afraid of dying - I just don't want to get eaten.

skotty

04/11/2011 at 15:24

cougie wrote (see)

Wheres Jj ? I know she does her runs in the early morning off road and with the Alpkit. (and that comes with a flashy red on the rear)

do you need a long cable running between them?

Muttley

04/11/2011 at 16:17

Intermanaut wrote (see)

Expect to see your times improve while running trails at night. I find that the monsters lurking in the bushes spur me on a little bit faster. I'm not afraid of dying - I just don't want to get eaten.

I once came to a screeching crapping-myself halt on the towpath, in the darkest part, down by the river and the dense woods. Two large and round green eyes were tracking me. They were completely unblinking, and fixed on me.

Then I realized that they were the reflectors on a bicycle chained to the railings

PJAZ

04/11/2011 at 16:17

skotty wrote (see)

cougie wrote (see)
Wheres Jj ? I know she does her runs in the early morning off road and with the Alpkit. (and that comes with a flashy red on the rear)

do you need a long cable running between them?

No, the battery pack sits at the back of the head and has a built in red light which can be on on/off/flashing, the headband is very comfy and supoortive and the wire from the battery to the front torch is clipped to the side straps (theres also a strap front to back which some do/don't like, i don't mind), but i have about the same amount of hair as this little chap

. I usually wear a buff when using the headtorch, for extra comfort.

PJAZ

04/11/2011 at 18:49

The latest Trail Running mag has a feature on night running and headtorches if you want to know more.

DeadBox

05/11/2011 at 16:24

Oooh! think I might just order me one of those alpkit gamma's. Nice one for the link Muttley.

Might be able to get back out in the woods then

Hallam Blue

07/11/2011 at 10:31

Can you detach the straps to wash them?

cougie

pirate

07/11/2011 at 12:19

Never tried it. The torch is rainproof though so you could rinse the straps carefully ?

Nick1980

07/11/2011 at 15:11

Intermanaut wrote (see)

Expect to see your times improve while running trails at night. I find that the monsters lurking in the bushes spur me on a little bit faster. I'm not afraid of dying - I just don't want to get eaten.

Genuinely laughed out loud at that one. So true, until today my fastest run had been at night as the last part of it is round a lake and through some woods. Miss judged the the time of sunset once and got caught out went like the clappers......just in case the monsters got me

RunnyRunRun

07/11/2011 at 15:53

Did PJAZ say he goes running in the buff with his headtorch? I'm now a little more afraid of night running!

I've got one of the Duracell headtorches - tried a few before settling on this one. Don't even bother with the wind up ones - I thought I'd save a fortune on batteries but it was so awkward and unwieldy to wear.

There are also a few organised night runs, Miles which are good fun. I did the skeleton Run in Loughborough recently which was good fun and you don't notice the hills so much at night! (No really!

)

PJAZ

08/11/2011 at 13:25

RunnyRunRun wrote (see)

Did PJAZ say he goes running in the buff with his headtorch? I'm now a little more afraid of night running!

- have you been speaking to some of my running buddies up here in Sheffield? Its not true what they say about me (well, most of its not )