Dark outside in early AM

Our early AM swim group has been finishing up the swims just as the sun starts coming up. By the end of the month, it'll still be dark when we are done.

I love running in the dark as well too. With proper lights, it's even not so bad to ride in it.

Edited by tjtryon 2010-08-14 9:26 AM

x2 on lights. There's nothing better than returning home after a run or ride and watching the sun come up.

What do you use to bike in the dark so you don't get hit?

I have 2 blinky lights on the back of my bike (always 2, in case 1 dies) - one on seatpost, one on back of helmet. I also have 2 headlights, 1 I leave blinky, 1 I turn on full. I also like to ride/run in a roadguard vest when it is dark. It's not perfect, but there is NO way someone can say they didn't see me. My biggest issue is deer, they tend to ignore road guard vests...

Dark does not phase me at all for my run and I actually prefer it.  I'm on the road as early as 4:15 a.m.  I face very little traffic, so that is not a problem.

Biggest danger is stumbling on a rock or pinecone or something in the street that I can't see.

I have an armband that lights up steady or blinks.  That's all I use most of the time.

I also have a reflective belt I use moreso in the winter.  Or you can buy a blinky light to hook on the back of your shorts.

Go to the pool in the mornings.  I'm there when the doors open at 5:30 a.m.

As for biking... I've not done that in the dark.  I do most of my biking immediately after work or on weekends as soon as the sun rises.

I run a lot in the early morning as of late.  I have a red reflector with a strobing LED that I wear on the waist of my shorts facing traffic.  Otherwise its business as usual, out before sunrise and by the time I get home I've seen the sun come up.  Peaceful and cooler.  Almost got hit the other day by a little old lady, but it wasn't because she didn't see me... she target fixated on me and starting swerving over the white line towards me.  

Most of my run routes in the AM are sufficiently lit w/ streetlights. Great seeing the sun come up as I finish. I have the pleasure of running along the ocean, and the sun over the water first thing is spectacular.

I like running in the dark. Our streets have lamps so no need to even wear a light, but reflective clothing is a must. I have even done open water swims in the pitch black, loved it. However I don't do much biking in the dark, I find that even with lights my older eyes just don't adjust well (or fast) enough.

My first year of morning training, I eventually bought a headlamp after stumbling into the roadside ditch. I also wear a reflective vest. I use a trainer for biking.

I never see the sun when I run but my bike is scared of the dark. We have talked about it a little but no progress thus far.

This is my first year training and I'm starting to have this problem, too. Doesn't matter for the run (streetlights and I run on sidewalks) or swim (indoor pool), but I am not confident enough on the bike yet to handle high speeds in the dark. Just last week I changed the order of my weekday bricks so that my run would come first (while still dark) and the bike would have some light. I keep my weekend brick bike-run so I don't lose that conditioning entirely. I'm hoping this will get me through to my last race of the season in mid September. After that, I will probably save my outdoor bike rides for the weekends, and do a morning gym workout a couple of days a week instead (stepmill/stationary bike). A trainer will be on my Christmas wish list this year.

Anyone fearful of being attacked?

I'm too worried about it to hit the streets before dawn. Someone told me once that most rapes happen in the early morning hours, and that has stuck with me.
I imagine I'd be too busy watching out for the bad guys and I wouldn't enjoy my run. Maybe I'm just paranoid...

x2.  I would not attempt to bike in the dark.

My mind goes to that place a lot faster in the dark.  I find it much easier to push myself.

Most of my runs are in the early morning (I'm a 4:15am person too)... and today was the first day that I stumbled and fell because of the darkness. 

I'll be looking for something to light the way for my runs - but I'm comfortable enough on the bike yet to do rides in the dark. 

The bike and I have talked about this a few times, and he seems to think that I'm not ready yet... I agree. 

Get those yello, triangular blinking lights that have a huge magnet that sandwiches your shirt, hat, or whatever btw the magnets.  Turn on the blinking lights and go running.  I also carry a small maglight, too.

http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/part_number=5059NY/670.0.1.1

Edited by betyoursilver 2010-08-15 12:00 AM

I do almost all of my biking and a good chunk of my running while it's still dark.  On the bike, just get a good light or two.  One can point more ahead, and the other more towards the ground so you can check for problem spots in the road more easily.  I also keep a flashing light under my seat bag for cars that might come up behind me.

Really, there's a lot less traffic on the less used streets at 4-6am around me, and I find it to be safer because all the bad drivers are in bed. 

Same for running, really.  I wear a reflective vest, and clip a flashing light to the back.

OWS in the dark just seems dangerous to me.  And really freaky!

Running can be dangerous, depending on your area, but probably is the best of the 3.

I wouldn't want to bike at any speed or on roads i don't know without some really strong lights.  So that's a no.  And I disagree that the bad drivers are in bed from 4-6am, they are heading home from the bars!

The bars here close much earlier than 4am.  Also, pretty much ALL the drivers here are bad drivers.  So just being out on back roads that early means way less bad drivers.

I think it's ok to go cycling in the dark, just do it on a familiar routes so you know where all the potential dodgy sections are!

I'm not too worried about being attacked in the mornings, but I'm a sweaty guy and the only thing they might get from me is my heart monitor watch.  Women are probably at greater risk between 2-4AM (when people are coming home from the bars) than between 5-6AM (by then, most of the low-lifes have called it a night).  I'll run through areas at 5:30AM that I won't run through at 8PM. 

If you're worried about attacks:
1)  Vary your routes and times so you're not predictable.
2)  Be aware of your surroundings.  Skip the Ipod, use streetlights, pick higher-traffic areas. 
3)  Let someone know your route and when you should be returning.  Someone who can come look for you if you're late. 

Or find a training partner to join you in the dark pre-dawn. 

To the OP.  I run in the dark (alot).  Light and reflective gear, blinky lights, etc.  I don't ride in the dark because it just isn't worth the risk.  Even with lights, drivers aren't looking for cyclists at that time of day and I can't see all the features on the road. 

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