Fit Tip Friday: Tips & Gear for Running in the Dark

If you're a morning runner like me, you have probably noticed that it's pretty dark out there in the early hours these days. I don't think the sun even rises until 7:30 am! So if you are fitting in your run in before work, you're probably running in the dark.

How can you stay safe when running in the dark?

Though I can (and will) write a whole other post with safety tips for running in the dark, today I'd like to focus just on some useful gear that you may want to purchase to ensure you can run safely in the dark.

You Need a Light Source!
One of the most important pieces of equipment for running in the dark is a light of some sort. Now, you could just carry a good old fashioned flashlight. I see plenty of people doing that. But there are two other good options that will allow you to keep your normal running form and still see where you're going.

#1 Headlamp
You can purchase one like mine at REI or most other outdoor/camping stores or at RoadRunnerSports here. Most headlamps will have a couple different settings- bright, dim, and strobe (blinking.) The light is attached to an adjustable strap and you wear the light right on your forehead.

#2- Knuckle Lights
A headlamp works just fine, but my personal preference for dark running are the knuckle lights. These lights come in a pack of two and you wear them around your hands. (Buy them here.)

I never need both knuckle lights. Just one is bright enough for me. What I like about the knuckle lights is that you are able to aim them at the ground to see where you're running, or if someone is running towards you, you can aim them towards to the ground so as not to blind the approaching runner. The knuckle lights also do not give me a headache like the headlamp does.

Reflective Accessories:
Nathan Sports is one of the top reflective gear makers and they sell a number of options for helping you light up the night- belts, ankle/arm bands, and more! The purpose of these items is not to help you see, but to help you BE seen.

Reflective Clothing:
One of the most important pieces of gear for night running is reflective clothing. There are a ton of options in this arena.

For example, the Nike All Over Flash Jacket is an extreme version of reflective gear and an expensive one too. I think it's nearly $500! The Shield Flash Jacket is the only one I could find online and its still $350. It similar to the All Over Flash Jacket except it's only reflective on the bottom half of the jacket. (All  Over Flash Jacket pictured below)

Athleta makes a somewhat cheaper version with the Reflective Running Start jacket for  $298. I have been eying this option, but still think that $298 is a lot to spend.

As cool as these jackets look for running in the dark, you don't need to spend that much to light up the night. Brooks Running has their NightLife line of jackets and vests that might not be quite as reflective, but they get the job done. The Nightlife Essential Vest is one of my favorites:

Nathan and Amphipod both make L.E.D. vests or reflective vests like those shown below.

A vest works well since you can wear it over whatever layers you prefer depending on the weather.

Reflective Shoes:
Most running shoes these days have some reflective stripes, but many brands are taken it even further with a separate line of extremely reflective shoes. Asics is doing this with their Lite-Show line, and Brooks is doing this with their NightLife line. Pictured below are my running shoe of choice, the Brooks Ravennas from that Nightlife line. They are totally reflective and basically one step down from glowing in the dark!

                              
Don't Forget About Your Headband..
SweatyBands makes a reflective headband that is quite reflective too. Buy one here.

A few bonus tips for running in the dark:

• Ditch the music. You need to rely on all of your senses, including your sense of sound. Be aware of your surroundings!
• Run against traffic. Even if the cars can't see you, at least you will see them and be able to move off the road if necessary.

And though this piece of gear is not about being seen, I still suggest that you carry pepper spray if you're running alone in the dark. 

I have read that some runners are against carrying pepper spray. They believe that you're more likely to spray yourself than spray a perpetrator. I'm on the other side of that debate though, as I feel safer carrying it. What do you think?

Those are just a few of the right fits out there for running in the dark.

Do you have any other tips for running in the dark? Please share in the comments!

Featured Fit: Brooks Nightlife Line and A Running Event at Marathon Sports.

By Jess in Minneapolis

I did something a little crazy yesterday- well, crazy for me.

I did a two-a-day of running.

Yes, I occasionally do two-a-days, but it’s always one run and one other activity- yoga or strength training. I had never done two runs in a day- one in the AM and one in the PM.

Two-a-days might be the norm for some of you (particularly you high mileage monsters!), but it was the first time for me.

I’m sure my friend Kelly is shaking her head at me right now, saying bad idea Jess! She advocates the Run Less, Run Faster ideal, and it clearly works for her, as she PR’d in a HUGE way at the Newport Marathon. She said having fresh legs for each run allowed her to push harder on the workouts during training. 

Does pub running count as a rest day?

I do think she knows what she’s talking about, and I plan to follow her advice in training for the Flying Pig marathon, as 60+ mile weeks clearly didn’t work out so well for me at the Newport Marathon (4:00:57), nor at the Berlin Marathon (3:59:39.)

 

What's the problem, Jess? Disappointed in your time? Should have taken more rest days!

But alas, I’m not training right now, so none of that really matters at the moment, as all my runs have been pretty easy.  And yesterday’s two-a-day was definitely a fluke.

Here’s why the two-a-day run happened: the weatherman had been going on and on about this horrible winter storm that was on its way, so I decided to get up early and do an easy four mile run with Matilda. I was worried that the storm would actually live up to all the hype, and then I wouldn’t be able to workout after work. Dustin had already told me about an event that evening at Marathon Sports, but I was worried that it might be cancelled due to weather, so I went ahead with a morning run just in case.

But the event was still on that evening, despite the crappy-esque weather, and I couldn’t pass it up! 

This event included a 3-7 mile run, free pizza and beer, drawings for Brooks gear, and more. How could I resist?  Here are the details of the party:

Join us Tuesday night during our
“Winged Foot Club” FREE hosted group run.

The Brooks Nightlife run kicks off at 6:30pm for a 3 to 7 mile run around the lakes. Meet at Marathon Sports Run/Walk (50th/Penn). Brooks sponsored athlete Andrew Carlson (ZoomPerformance) will lead the group! All abilities are welcome. Pizza and locally brewed beverages post run!

Help us launch the "Safest Run Night" in Minnesota. Wear test the Brooks Adrenaline 14 and the latest Nightlife jackets, vests, hats and gloves! Receive awesome Brooks prizes and be a part of our "Winged Foot" team photo to light up the night!

Reflective snap bracelets? Count me in!

I thought I’d only do an easy five miler as part of the event, but my friend Theresa was looking for seven miles, so I tagged along.  (Don’t worry- after two runs, and eleven miles on the day, I took today as rest from running!)

Anyways, the event was great, and well worth adding that second run. Sure, it was icy and snowing during the seven miles, but we were rewarded with some craft beer and hot pizza when we returned to the Marathon Sports store.

Well, to be honest, there wasn't any pizza left when we first arrived back at the store...

What, no pizza?

Eventually, they ordered some more, and we each managed a slice. 

Hey, I'm not complaining, the event was FREE.

Okay, I'm skipping around to the post-run! Before the run, there was a drawing for some Brooks goods. (Neither of us won anything.) After the drawing, we got suited up with some of the Nightlife gear to test it out on a real run. We both tested the Nightlife LSD Lite Jacket II, which retails for $85.

The jacket is super lightweight (I think it only weighs four ounces!), and its packed full of reflective-ness in strategic locations. I loved the colors, and it actually kept the rain/snow out, and the heat in. I think it’s a winner!

I also really liked the Nightlife hat, which had lights on the back! Its only $35, mesh, and lightweight- perfect for the dark runs. 

The men all tested out the men’s version of the Nightlife LSD Lite Jacket or vest. It was quite similar, just a different color.

I didn’t purchase any of the Nightlight gear that evening, but I definitely will be watching online for some sales. I would love to add the jacket and hat to my fitness wardrobe. 

Side note- I’m an avid client at Road Runner Sports. I recently purchased their VIP membership, which allows for discounted prices and free shipping. They carry all of my favorite running brands, including Brooks! Though I usually try to support my local running stores (Marathon Sports, Gear Running Store, TC Running Company, etc) but I can’t resist the cheap prices on Road Runner Sports  And great news, they also carry the Brooks Nightlife line!

Brooks has really stepped up their game in running apparel. There are so many other cute tops I have been throwing a fit for- like this Utopia Softshell Jacket ($134 for VIP's on Road Runner Sports) or this Equlibrium Base Layer ($68 for VIP's) 

Winter running is a little more tolerable with some cute (and functional of course) Brooks gear.

All in all, a fun little event, at a price that fit the bill- free.
Nice job Marathon Sports. Maybe I will be doing two-a-day runs more often!

CBRC representing at Marathon Sports