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!

Fitness Fashion: Sweaty Bands!

I have posted on the blog multiple times about my love of BIC bands which are fitness headbands with velvet on the underside which keeps them in place. They are really awesome headbands, and I had a really great experience working with the owner on our custom Calhoun Beach Running Club bands a few years ago. Aren't they lovely? There's still 2 left if you want one!

In addition to BIC bands though, I also recommend Sweaty Bands, which is a company that makes a very similar product.  I have ordered several bands from this company for myself and for friends over the past few years online, and I also often pick one or two up at race expos.  

One thing I really like about Sweaty Bands is that they really offer quite a fun variety of styles for all different types of occasions. Recently, I ordered a few for a bachelorette gift for a fellow runner. I selected a few different patterns- peacock, polka dot, and the reflective neon striped one.

But I also added a "bridal" one to this order for the bachelorette! Its pretty subtle, but it has a few "bridal" type quotes on it, and is a pretty "bridal" blue color.

 I also picked up a few Sweaty Bands for my fellow Flying Pig runner (Kelly, not Dustin, ha!) They actually had customized bands for a few different marathons. They had Chicago, Boston, and other "big" marathons, but I was surprised to see Flying Pig bands, so I snatched them up!

And, I may have stocked up on a few "Baby on Board" Sweaty Bands, just in case one of my friends has a bun in the oven in the future....you never know!

Go check out all the different Sweaty Bands  online, and I bet you'll find one you like - for a friend or for you!

Weekly Recap and a Rekindled Love for Pure Barre.

What happened last week in the Right Fits' world in Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion?

Well, let's start with Fitness.

Last week was a pretty solid week in fitness.

Monday: Ran 7 miles in the AM with some friends, Balanced Barre BarreAmped Bootcamp in the evening

Tuesday: Ran 5.5 miles in the AM with some friends, 75 minute yoga sculpt at Corepower Yoga in the evening

Wednesday: Ran 7 miles in the AM with some friends, concert at First Ave in the evening!

Thursday: Complete rest. Happy Halloween!

Friday: Ran 5.5 miles in the AM with Matilda (the dog)

Saturday: Ran 11 miles with the Calhoun Beach Running Club

Sunday: Ran 4 miles with Dustin and Matilda, then barre class at Pure Barre

Total: 40 miles, 2 barre classes, and 1 yoga sculpt (3 strength)

The highlight in fitness this week was actually the Pure Barre class. I used to be a tad obsessed with Pure Barre (as you can read about HERE and HERE), but then I fell off the Pure Barre wagon for a little bit as I tried out other barre studios in the area. Pure Barre recently had a sale on a 5-class package, so I decided to head back there for a little bit. It really took me by surprise on Sunday, as it was a pretty tough class! The teacher incorporated a double exercise band like this one:

That double band was the devil!

We used the band for some of the leg work, core work, and even for stretching, and I felt like it made a lot of the moves quite a bit more challenging.I could feel it today in my abs and thighs, which is always a great feeling.  I took the Pure Barre  class with two girlfriends, one of whom is an experienced barre-ista, and one of whom had never taken a barre class before. I think that the first-timer really enjoyed the class as well! One challenge at Pure Barre is that its sometimes difficult to see the correct form for the moves. They are so small and subtle, its difficult to know if you're doing it correctly. But when you do it right, it burns!

What's new in Fitness Fashion?

I have a few reflective BIC bands that I am loving right now. It’s been in the mid forties on my runs, so I don’t yet need a hat or ear warmers. Therefore, these reflective BIC bands add just enough extra “see and be seen” on the early morning runs.  You can never get enough reflective power. Why not add some to your headband?

You can find them HERE. FYI, in my opinion, BIC bands and Sweaty Bands are both awesome, though BIC bands are usually a few dollars cheaper, while Sweaty Bands offer a bit more variety. These reflective bands are BIC brand. Go check them out!

Fashion:

The highlight this week in fashion was definitely the arrival of my first Stitch Fix, which you can read about here. I’m excited to wear my new polka dot skinny jeans soon!

The rest of my weekend included a date night to see Prairie Home Companion at the State theater, a pre-dinner drink at Marvel Bar, dinner at Bar La Grassa, Dustin’s wardrobe consultation (which I hope to share some more detail about soon!), lots of dog park time, and plenty of housework and errands. 

Here's what I wore for running errands: 

Sunglasses: Tory Burch- gifted; chambray shirt: JCrew similar, blazer: Banana Republic, find it here, and Banana Republic skinny jeans similar 

This pink blazer is my current favorite, (did I mention it has leather patches on the elbows? Love!) I have become such a Banana girl since my wardrobe consult with A la Mode. Move over JCrew, you may possibly have been replaced by Banana!

All in all, it was  lovely week in fitness, fashion, and fitness fashion!

I hope you all had a nice week as well. 

What was your fitness highlight??? 

What about your fashion highlight??? 

Please share in the comments!