It’s hard enough to become a runner. But to try to start up a running plan when the daylight hours will soon be minimized—the clocks roll back with the end of Daylight Savings Time on November 2—and cold weather is coming?
That’s a big ask. However, it’s doable!
And even more, getting into a fitness routine during the shorter days of winter can actually help you manage and even thrive during what can otherwise be a dreary time of year.
Tips for managing shorter daylight hours:
Change up the time of day
If you usually run in the evening, consider running in the morning—those clocks are rolling back for farming and runners can take advantage of the sun coming up earlier than it has been in months.
If you’re not a morning person, and have the flexibility to get out mid-day, consider a lunchtime run. Running in the middle of the day can be a great way to break up a working schedule.
Buddy up
If you are forced to run in the dusk, dawn, or darkness, finding someone to join you adds safety. If you don’t have anyone who wants to start a run-walk program with you, consider asking a family member or friend to ride a bike alongside you.
This can become quality time together. Your recruited cyclist may even thank you for getting them out when they’d otherwise be on the couch.
Change routes
As another safety precaution, instead of running on what might be remote or dark paths, consider running on a lit track. Many middle- and high school tracks allow community usage when P.E. classes or sporting events aren’t taking place.
For open times, it’s best to call and ask the school. In addition to a lit track, seek out neighborhood routes with good lighting—working, and regularly placed streetlights that provide visibility.
Light up
Arming yourself with a good headlamp, handheld light, or waist-mounted light will (obviously) allow you to see in the dark. When shopping for options, consider the following:
Do you want a light on your head? If so, know that the beam of light will move with each turn of your head instead of staying on the ground in front of you. Search for a lightweight, comfortable option with the ability to swivel up and down.
Would you rather hold a light in your hand? This allows you to direct the light where you want while still moving your head side to side.
This is a good option for those running with partners—you can turn to talk to your partner without blinding them. Want to be hands-free and wear nothing on your head?
Waist-mounted lights allow close-range illumination of the ground ahead. For those who find wearing a headlamp or holding a handheld light irritating, this is a good option.
Wear reflective clothing/lights on your backside
Arguably more important than being able to see while you run in being seen. Wear apparel with reflective treatment, shoes with reflective treatment, lights with blinking and/or red lights on the backside or pull on a vest and/or armband with reflection.
Keep in mind that drivers take notice of moving reflective items (like shoes or sleeves) than relative motionless reflection (on your back), but that ANY reflection is 100% better than no reflection at all. (I’m always horrified to see runners along the sides of roads in dark clothing and no reflectivity at dusk or after dark.)
Embrace toughness
Part of succeeding as someone who heads out for a workout in the dark is embracing your inner strength and using it to your advantage. Any time you head out when you’d otherwise be sitting comfortably in your warm house is a massive win, and you can carry that strength with you through everything you do.
