Often times we may be caught up with our daily work and engagements that we may decide to go for our routine daily jogging or running exercise at night. Some other people may do it as a matter of choice. Running during the day is often the best time; especially in the early hours of the morning, night exercising is also fun to embark on. However, you should note that running at night poses more kind of danger than doing so during the day. There are few things to consider if you ever think of running at night to maintain your fitness.
Tips To Staying Safe While Running At Night
- Wearing the right apparel
You should always bear in mind the kind of clothing you wear while taking a road walk at night. A good wardrobe selection will always pre-inform an oncoming vehicle of someone ahead. If you must wear a jacket, you should wear one with a white patching or one that has a reflective badge on it. Wearing black or dark coloured clothing will make it hard to spot you at night. If you must wear one, it should have a light-reflective patch on it. Bright coloured clothes are the best to be worn at night while jogging or running. You may also wish to wear reflective capri pants, though it’s not really important. Your shoes should have high quality stability, good tread, and grip on the ground as there is an increased chance of falls at night due to slippery grounds and unnoticed pot holes. An LED light reflective shoes can also help. You may wish to wear a cap to ward off some sagging tree branches on your tracks. A good transparent eye glasses will also help to protect your eyes against any flies and debris on air.
- Do Not Use Earphones
As much as it’s fun to listen to cool music while jogging, it’s not necessary wearing it at night while running. Wearing earphone will rather cause a lot of distractions for you while running at night. It may cause you not to notice an oncoming vehicle nor hear its horn hooting. Listening to music while running at night might also cause you not to notice a pothole ahead, slippery ground or even a sagging tree branch.
- Run Against Traffic
I could remember when I was much younger, I was taught to always walk against oncoming vehicles to avoid possible road accidents. I still maintain that tenet till today. This is also applicable while jogging or running at night. In fact, it is a general road traffic rule for pedestrians. An oncoming vehicle can easily spot you when you are running against it than when you run in the same direction as the vehicle. Also, you will be very much at alert when you are running against traffic that you can easily detect when a vehicle is about to swerve or change direction towards you, so you can take to your heels away from its direction.
- Run Behind Traffic At Intersections
When you meet a vehicle at intersecting roads, you should slow down a little to determine the direction they are changing to before you continue your running. This is necessary as the vehicle may not have noticed you on the way. It’s good you take precautionary measures to stay safe.
Signal Drivers When Necessary
It’s good you acknowledge drivers at junctions or when you want to cross a road while running at night. You shouldn’t assume they have spotted you from far as they may be in a rush or engrossed in their thoughts. A simple hand wave, hand raising or nodding can easily alert them of your approach.
- Run With A Partner
Owing to the danger of running alone at night, you should endeavor to find a running mate. This will boost your confidence during your exercise. It will also help you face any challenges you might encounter on your way. You are sure to face any attackers you may encounter on your way head on if you have a running partner.
- Change Your Direction
You may be endangering your life if you keep maintaining a steady course while running every night. Someone that has been trailing you may lay ambush on your path. Taking a different route everyday while running at night will reduce your risk of falling prey to hoodlums or attackers.
- Look Before Crossing
Always endeavor to look well before crossing roads at night while running. Some drivers may be on speed and may not notice on time as you are crossing a road. Endeavor to also look out for vehicles without light or having a very deem light. You may not notice them until they are very close to hitting you.
- Go With Your Phone
Unlike during the day where many people prefer not to go along with their phone, when running at night, you should endeavor to go along with your phone. This will help you make emergency calls should you sense any form of danger on your way. You can also opt to using some applications like the Road ID which automatically sends a message to your emergency contacts should you remain stationary for 5 minutes.
- Study Your Paths
This may sound unusual but it’s very important to note. You should endeavor to study your running paths to take note of the terrain very well. This will enable you observe any possible hazard spots on your way, monitor potholes or speed bumps along. Being observant on the road will also let you know if your running paths are safe from attackers or not. It will help you determine your best routes.
Final Thoughts
Though running during the day is the safest and most widely enjoyed, running at night is also a huge fun. It’s good to keep fit even when you are working on tight schedules. You only have to take charge of your own security and observe precautionary measures. Bright lights from vehicle head lamps may trigger some “scotchy” effects in the eyes at night. If you are very photosensitive or experience poor vision at night, you may wish to consult your doctor for advice or just stick with running during the day. Running at night is more or less an adventure and may turn out to be the best one you’ve had in a very long time.
