Wow, Are We Visual Beings; or, Officially Off the Try-Again List

Owing to my odd work/sleep schedule (I am an emergency veterinarian, I work all-night shifts and because of this I have sort of a vampire sleeping schedule even when not working), I run at night a lot, probably 80-90% of the time. 

I really like it for a lot of reasons.  You avoid the heat of the day and virtually all traffic (I wear a bright orange LED armband for safety), there are no visual distractions, the wife and kids are home in bed so I'm not sacrificing quality time, and you aren't thinking of 100 other things you should be doing because the rest of the world is also sleeping (can't really go to the bank, or make phone calls, or mow the lawn, or clean the house without waking the kids, etc etc).

There are a few things I don't care for, of course.  Really dark, moonless nights where I can't see the road well (also not much lighting where I run, live outside city limits right by a big lake) and risk turning an ankle on a tree branch or rock that has made its way onto the road, a half-dozen dogs in the area who are not confined and come out chasing/barking and scare the crap out of me at times and threaten to nail my ankles (I'm not afraid of mean/aggressive dogs whatsoever, owing to my profession, but thanks to my iPod I usually don't hear them until they are on my heels, which gives your heart a jump no matter who you are!), occasionally sudden loud noises from the woods/lots lining the streets (probably mainly deer that I spook), webs from uber-ambitious spiders obviously hoping against hope to catch themselves a runner, and inhaling the occasional flying insect (seems much worse at dusk than after dark).

But, overall,  I appreciate the quality training time and I wouldn't get to run as much as I do if I were confined to a 9-to-5 job and daylight running.

Don't give up on it so quickly.  Watch the weather and moon phases, you'd be surprised how bright it gets in the middle of a clear night when the moon is full or nearly so.  Once your eyes adjust you can see the road pretty darned well.  Also, run the exact same route every single time and you'll quickly learn all the nuances of the road - dips in the pavement, potholes and other hazards, areas where you are more likely to encounter tree limbs and rocks, etc.  You can quickly drive your running route before going to inspect the road for rock/branch hazards and clear them - I sometimes do this after a windy day/thunderstorm, as most of my route has large overhanging trees and the road may be littered with branches.  You can also carry a bright flashlight on a belt (small AA-powered Maglight isn't very heavy and surprisingly bright, and usually come with their own nylon belt-loop holder), so if you do encounter a freaky situation you can quickly shine some light on it.  Consider carrying pepper spray as well, esp. if you are worried about bears.  The first time one of these dogs lays a tooth on me I'll be picking up a can and painting their corneas with it next time 'round.   

Wondering why you had so much trouble seeing the road if you were wearing a headlamp???  I don't wear one at all - would be pretty uncomfortable to me, and your eyes can never adjust to the dark if you are wearing one.   Might eat fewer spiderwebs, though. 

Chris

FWIW my wife also refuses to run after dark.  Says it freaks her out.  I can understand - if it freaked me out, I probably wouldn't do it either.  'Course I'm 6-3 and 210# of hairy, sweaty manhood so I don't have the added worry of some dude carrying me off into the woods or stuffing me into the back of his van. 

My running form at night is essentially the same as it is during the day, I'm just slightly more hesitant on my turnarounds and in little stretches that are known for branches/rocks or uneven pavement.

Chris

As long as you don't behave like prey, you'll probably be alright.  Handheld lights are better for seeing than headlamps as they'll provide contrast and you can point them where you want to see.  Figure out how to be noisy while running.  Your much less likely to encounter wild animals if they can hear you coming.  

 It sounds like it might be difficult, but find a workout partner for your night runs.  They'll make you feel safer.

 But coming around a corner and surprising them is likely to get you hurt.  Running into them with a bicycle does seem to scare them off though.  Never thought of that one.  Doubt I'll try it.