Have you ever tried to start running when it's dark? If not, you're missing out on a fantastic experience. It's colder, quieter and you feel less conspicuous when running in the dark. Sometimes it can be very hard to fit in your runs throughout the day time when you need to juggle work, family and social life, you often have no other option but to run after dark. However once you start running at night, there are other factors that you need to consider. On the one hand you ought to try to run where there are other people around, a well lit area, with other people around to ensure your safety from others, but on the other hand, the extra traffic in these areas means that you may be at a greater risk from cars and other forms of traffic. Here are some safety tips to follow to ensure that you make it through your night time runs without incident or accident. Always Run Facing Oncoming Traffic When you first start running at night, always run on the side of the street that faces oncoming traffic. Doing this allows you to see vehicles approaching you, making it much easier and safer to keep away from them. When you start running in the dark, it's a lot more challenging than running during the day because of poor visIbility levels due to the glare of headlamps and overhead street lamps. For this reason you should only select routes that have sidewalks or purpose built walkways. Try not to use very busy roads to run on when it's dark. It's also essential to be aware of other potential road users such as cyclists and other runners, so don't only use the noise of a car as your only warning of advancing vehicles. To Be Safe, Be Seen Ideally the sort of running gear you wear when you start running at night should be of a lighter fabric. White, yellow or orange materials tend to be easier to see at night and better still, luminous or reflective materials attached or worn over clothes like arm bands, reflective hat badges and sashes will all make you more noticeable. Ideally you should ensure that you make yourself as noticeable as possible. Only wearing running shoes with reflective areas on them,might not be enough to get you fully noticed by motorists. A Way To Contact Others One essential item that runners need to carry is a mobile phone, regardless of whether you run at night or during the daytime. You could pick up an injury and be unable to finish your run, you may get lost or too tired to carry on or actually witness an accident or crime etc. These are all very logical reasons for carrying a phone with you when running at night. Another suggestion is to carry identification at all times. A driver's license is ideal. You can store this easily in your pocket or in a hip bag. For your safety, to to mix up the days and times you go out running, otherwise this can make you a target to would be assailants. Although this is a very rare occurence, however, it is best to be aware of these precautions. Find Yourself a Running Buddy You can run on your own at anytime, but sometimes it can be very uplifting and safer to run with others, either a running club or a friend. Or why not start running with a dog, your own or one borrowed from a friend. The dog will enjoy it and you may be saving your friend or neighbour having to go out themselves to walk it. If you do need to start running at night, you'll find it can be a great experience, a great chance to wind down following a hard days work, or get away from the family for a while. Whatever reason you do it for, take reasonable precautions for your own safety.
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