Contrary to popular belief, not all early-risers are runners. We understand if the thought of waking up at 6 am to run early makes you want to hit the snooze. It’s fine!
It is a great way to relax, develop healthy night habits and ensure that you have a good night’s sleep. There are some dangers that you should be aware of, particularly if you’re working after dark. These tricks will help you to stay safe and enjoy operating at night.
Safety Tips for Nighttime Work
- Reflective clothing
We can’t emphasize this enough. If you are going to be near cars at night, it is a good idea to wear reflective clothing or a headlamp to make yourself visible to approaching traffic. You shouldn’t be using the road at night without lights either! You can find a variety of products like reflective vests and jackets, shoes, and headlamps to help you use the road safely. If you’re running at night, now is the time to act! - Run against visitors
Another road tip. When possible, you should run in front of cars and not behind them. You can then move to the side if necessary. The cars coming from behind do this in a very short period of time. This gives you and the driver less time to react, if you want to alter your course. - Follow the rules of the road
J-walking is not allowed at night. Be hypervigilant when operating in high-trafficked areas late at night. Stop at the stop signs and wait for the walk signals. This is a crucial habit to develop that will keep you from making mistakes when you lose your focus and are deep into your working move. - Keep to well-lit and well-traveled routes
Unfortunately, working at night can present some dangers for everyone, particularly for women who are at an disproportionately higher risk of gender-based abuse. It’s impossible to control these risks, so it’s up to us all to keep one another safe. You can keep safe by selecting routes that are well-lit and in areas where many other runners are also out.
Tip field: Be an Ally!
We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe. Hollaback is a global movement to end harassment and violence of all kinds. Use these tips to identify street harassment when you see it. Be prepared to assist a fellow runner in case of need.
- Running with a friend is a great idea
Consider bringing along a friend on your night run! You’ll be more visible to cars, and if you get hurt, your friend will help you home safely. In many cities, there are running teams that meet at night. You’ll be safer while driving on the road, but you will also get the added benefit of working with a team that helps you stay motivated. - Keep your ears open
While music can be motivating, wearing earbuds will make it difficult to hear anything approaching. Your mind will be able to register unusual sounds around you if your ears are free. This could include an aggressive animal or a surprising vehicle. - Carry your phone
If you feel unsafe or it is dark outside, you should bring your phone with you. You can call for help if you get into trouble, but you can also ask someone else to do so if you see that they need it. - The adidas Working app includes a LIVE function.
Use the LIVE Monitoring feature to let your friends know where you are. If you are feeling uneasy about a run, tell someone to keep an eye on your GPS display and when you expect to return home.
Tip Field: Our Group On Working At Night time
We asked our Instagram followers for their thoughts on working safety. We found that 64.7% of the over 1000 respondents to our poll said they were concerned about their safety while operating. Most people are concerned about their safety when they’re driving, walking dogs, or in an automobile. They also worry about being harassed by men, attacked, or having their catcalled.
By educating yourself, you can reduce the risks of driving at night. Keep your ears and eyes open and get out there and run!
