Running Against The Speed Of Light!

A wise man once said, we borrow an hour one night in April, only to pay it back with gold interest five months later! A sentiment which rings true for every runner! You’ve trained hard all summer, but now the sun sets while you’re still enjoying a late lunch…And a post work run means heading out in the dark. Is it really safe?

Whilst some people may prefer to retreat to the comfort and warmth of the local gym, we have put together a quick safety guide to keep yourself running through the night…without taking unnecessary risks.

Pick Familiar Routes

Running in the dark is not the time to go off exploring. Pick a few familiar routes and stick to them, however be careful not to repeat the routes in any specific pattern as this could attract unwanted attention. Run the routes randomly and run at different times if possible.

Run With A Club

Running on a treadmill is no replacement for the great outdoors, but running in the darkness does have risks, particularly for women! They say there is safety in numbers, so joining a running club could be the answer. If there does not seem to be a running club nearby, form your own with some friends.

Traffic

Face the oncoming traffic whilst you run. This is not only better for the driver, it is also better for you as you can see what traffic is coming and if you may need to get out of the way. Avoid running during rush hour.

Be Seen

This is not the time to become fashion conscious! Pile on the neon, wear a headlamp and apply reflecting stickers to your shoes.

Mobile Phone

We are all too aware of the dangers of talking on your mobile whilst driving, but what about listening to music whilst running! Music offer motivation, but ditch the headphones whilst out on the road as they frequently cause unnecessary accidents.

Whilst listening to music while running is not advisable, taking your mobile phone with you is essential. There are a variety of apps available which allow someone to track where you are and when activated, some will message designated friends or family to inform them you need help.

Running is a great way to keep fit and with a little forward thinking, you can run safely throughout the winter months.

Blackburn Alarms deal with all aspects of safety ad if you should require any advice on intruder alarms, CCTV or cyber security, please do not hesitate to contact us.