Running in the dark?

[gryllus]

Unfortunately, my work location and schedule forces me to be on my way to work no later than 8 am, and I am not going to run after breakfast (no way), so I have to be back from my run by 7:30 am to manage shower + breakfast + dressing for work. Due to someone´s bright idea that forcing a whole nation to get up long before dawn (also known as "daylight saving time") saves energy, I will thus be soon forced to either abandon running untill next late spring, or start running in the dark. Evening runs are also out of question, as I found that I need an early supper (moreless as soon as I arrive from work) to sleep comfortably, so if I were to wait a few hours after the evening meal, it will be dark anyway.
Is there anyone who tried trail running with a headlamp (and what is your experience) - or how do you handle DST in the fall and spring?

[jmijares]

I have to run in the dark as well, especially in fall and winter.  I use a headlamp with a bright LED in front and a small blinking red LED in the back.  Look at brands like Black Diamond and Petzl because those are the brightest and will light up the trail in front of you and then have adjustable beam width and strength.  I also have a running jacket with reflective strips for when I have to run on the side of the road and cross streets.  One of my favorites are the Illuminite brand running jackets.  When car headlights hit my jacket, I tend to glow, even at 100+ yards.

[RayKay]

I run at 5:00 am every morning, so at least part of it in the dark.

I also have done lots of adventure racing where I found myself running or jogging a dark trail at night.

I actually prefer it though not as much if you add winter ice to the mix!

Many times I do not need a light depending on time of year, brightness of moon, cloud cover, tree cover...it can be fun to run in the dark but you do need to pay attention.

For the trail carry/wear a light headlamp and bring spare batteries in case yours go out. Watch your step and enjoy!

[jmijares]

Here's what the jacket looks like when light hits it...

[kuo34]

I carry a bright flashlight and just keep it in hand, though I run on streets so there's usually enough streetlamps that I don't have to keep the light in any one position.  I do have a Petzel headlamp that I use for non-running applications that works very well for lighting up the ground in front (3 LED, high, low, and strobe settings), though I have no idea how comfortable or uncomfortable it is while running.

My brother uses a blue firefly strobe attached to his cap for early morning runs, but I'm pretty sure he also runs in a relatively well lit area.

This will be my first DST running barefoot/VFF, so I'll probably grab a headlamp when it gets dark enough.  Never had to pay attention to the road surface before.

[RayKay]

Oh, yes, I also have a couple red blinkers for on roads that I can just clip on to my clothing, and a reflective jacket and vest (a cycling one).

[zarzu]

i was able to always get around this until now because i am a student and was able to shift my runs according to the dusk/dawn times. but now that it's coming to an end i plan on buying a headlamp for this autumn/winter/spring. only the first and last k of my route is lighted, the open route might work with some nice moon reflection but i'd never go into the woods without proper lighting, too high risk of injury. oh and my running jacket has reflective stripes and is neon green, my tights have reflective stuff as well.

[kewallace]

A few of my friends and I went on a barefoot run in the rain at night around our college campus the other day. Granted, it was really for exercise, we just wanted to go run in the rain and didn't want any of our shoes getting wet. It's all sidewalk out here though, until we found a giant puddle in the road and started splashing in it. Either way, I prefer running in the dark, especially because it's still hot here in Texas and it cools off very nicely at night.

[noelbodwell]

Up until last June when I retired  , I ran before work at 5:30 AM. When I was a road runner, the street lights were sufficient in the dark. However, when I became a trail runner, a Petzl headlamp became my savior. It's light weight and the bright LED lamp lit the trail up beautifully. Of course now I'm a lazy retiree and run at 8AM so my Petzl is relegated to my backpack in case I get caught out on the mountains in the dark!

[FL Runner]

Petzl is my choice, during the week I'm out of bed at 4:30 to hit the roads. While in the neighborhood I can get by with just the street lamps, but once I'm out on the country roads/trails the Petzl works great. My headlamp has different settings (low, med, high, blinking) and I can tilt it as well (close in for trail, further out for road). While on the road I think best benefit is I tilt my head back so approaching cars can easily see from a distance. Very light, barely notice it on my head, expandable strap so easy to adjust when I wear my cap in winter time too.

[gryllus]

I actually wondered whether I am the only crazy one to consider running with a headlamp - apparently I am not :-)
- thanks for all the encouragement!

[Hawkeye]

The more lights and reflective clothing your wear, the easier it is for cars or anything on wheels e.g. bicycles, to see you. I really hate it when I ride on the bike path  (with lights) and can't see runners and dog walkers especially when they wear all black. Sometimes all I see is the reflective stuff on their shoes. 

I have firefly lights from roadid.com and they're great. I also have a headlamp.

[jmijares]

The more lights and reflective clothing you wear, the easier it is for cars or anything on wheels e.g. bicycles, to see you.

Sometimes drivers just aren't paying attention.  Before I started running with my headlamp, I just had the running jacket with the reflective sleeves, plus my reflective beanie.  I was running through the Georgetown area of Washington DC and almost got hit three times in one night while trying to cross the street!  After that, I started using the headlamp and prior to crossing a busy intersection, I'll switch it to blinking red mode and aim it right at the on-coming traffic.  Thus far there was only one instance where a driver didn't see see my blinking light, but it was one of those "looking left while trying to make a right turn and not checking the right side of your car for pedestrians" scenarios.  I saw it in time and was able to run around the back of the car...

These look kinda goofy, but I have a long sleeve and short sleeve version that I use during the warmer months.  https://www.ironclad.com/products/product_detail.cqs?prod_id=c54e5c5f663383457b2e593834147852  They're a lot cheaper to get off of eBay.

Yeah, but the more reflective clothing and lights you have, the better.  You'll look like a space alien, but I'd rather get weird looks than to end up getting hit by a moving vehicle.

[gryllus]

For my usual circuit, it is purely an issue of seeing, not being seen. It is either well-lit sidewalks (no problem) or a completely unlit woodland with no wheeled traffic whatsoever. I am actually most scared by the idea of getting a branch into my eyes...

[Hawkeye]

The more lights and reflective clothing you wear, the easier it is for cars or anything on wheels e.g. bicycles, to see you.

Sometimes drivers just aren't paying attention.  Before I started running with my headlamp, I just had the running jacket with the reflective sleeves, plus my reflective beanie.  I was running through the Georgetown area of Washington DC and almost got hit three times in one night while trying to cross the street!  After that, I started using the headlamp and prior to crossing a busy intersection, I'll switch it to blinking red mode and aim it right at the on-coming traffic.  Thus far there was only one instance where a driver didn't see see my blinking light, but it was one of those "looking left while trying to make a right turn and not checking the right side of your car for pedestrians" scenarios.  I saw it in time and was able to run around the back of the car...

These look kinda goofy, but I have a long sleeve and short sleeve version that I use during the warmer months.  https://www.ironclad.com/products/product_detail.cqs?prod_id=c54e5c5f663383457b2e593834147852  They're a lot cheaper to get off of eBay.

Yeah, but the more reflective clothing and lights you have, the better.  You'll look like a space alien, but I'd rather get weird looks than to end up getting hit by a moving vehicle.

Cars are deadly and add in cell phones and you're toast. Every consider carrying some pennies in your pocket to throw at cars that almost hit you? If they didn't jingle around so much... oh well rocks are cheaper