It’s peak training time for the Flying Pig. For many of us, that means getting runs in whenever we can. While training this year, I’ve been on the road at any time from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Unfortunately, most of those hours running have been spent in the dark.
As a woman, running after dark can be a little disconcerting. It only takes seconds for something to go terribly wrong. While, thankfully, I’ve never had a problem while running around Greater Cincinnati, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What to do to stay safe in the dark
During my last early-morning run, I tried Glympse – an app designed to share my location with the person of my choosing. After downloading the app and inputting my husband’s phone number, we both received a link to track my progress. He didn’t have to download the app to track me, which is a great feature. I chose the maximum amount of time to broadcast my whereabouts (four hours) and headed out for a cool 10-miler.
At the end of my run – it didn’t take four hours, thank goodness! – I stopped the GPS broadcasting and went about my day. My husband also got to go about his day without worrying whether I had finished my run or if something had happened to me while I was out.
Practice defensive running
While nothing will replace being aware of your surroundings, this app may be a good addition to your safety arsenal. Here are a few more tips to keep your night-time run safe:
- Watch out for cars, never assume a driver sees you unless you make eye contact
- Let someone know where you’re going, even if it’s just a post on social media that’s visible to you and a few friends
- Keep an ID and phone on you at all times
- Wear reflective clothing
- Run a route you know, but avoid taking the same route each night
Do you have any other tips for staying safe while running at night? Share them with us!
