RUNNING IN THE DARK: STAY SAFE

We are entering a time of the year where the days are getting shorter, temperatures are slowly coming down and the alarm clock does not seem to ring. Fighting to get out of your bed is a real thing this time of the year. On one end you are battling the change of the seasons, yet you care about your goals.

There are a number of things you can do to get out of the door for your run and make a pleasant experience.

Seasonal affective disorder: This is your body’s natural response to the changing of the seasons. It leaves you feeling moody or suddenly wanting of energy.

Maximise your exposure to sunlight:  A quick remedy for this disorder is move your runs to day break or midday to maximise sun exposure during the week getting as much as sunlight as possible. If you live in a cloudy climate, you may consider consulting a specialist to find vitamin D and other supplements to keep you healthy.

Run safely in a well lit area:

Be sure you know the area where you are running. Avoid any area which is  crime prone. If you are travelling and in a new city avoid running at nights. It is better to find a gym with a treadmill. If you ever feel unsafe while running, trust your intuition and head back. Be sure that traffic can see you.

Plan to be familiar with the route.: Running at night is probably a bad time to get lost. Know the route where you are running less you want to go on a epic adventure at night time.

Do not wear headphones: This is very important from safety point .

Bring a run buddy if possible : Safety is found in numbers. Sometimes you might be running at night or in the early mornings because of you being time pressed. If running at such times means you are running alone,tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

And do not forget to stretch when you are back.