It is getting dark earlier and earlier and the sun is rising later and later. I LOVE running in the dark, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I wish it would get light earlier or stay light later. Something about running in the dark feels a little scary. Perhaps it because I’m a woman or the areas I typically run in when it is dark have little to no side walk. In any event, since I am relatively new to running (only about a year now), I don’t have much in the way of winter or night time running gear.
I went out earlier this week (about 7:15pm) for a quick 4 mile run. It was pitch black. I do have a headlamp (LOVE IT!), but that’s about the extent of my dark running gear. I put on some running tights with reflective strips and a bright green long-sleeve running shirt. Even though it’s not reflective I figured it is bright enough that I would hopefully be seen. For the first mile I was running through “the Village”and was mostly on the sidewalk, guided by the light of street lamps. After that, the last 3 miles were on roads without sidewalks and with sparsely scattered (and sparsely functioning) streetlamps. I aimed my headlamp mainly at oncoming traffic (running on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic). This made me feel comfortable knowing that the oncoming cars would see me, but the problem was I could NOT see the road. Thankfully I did not trip, but at about 3.5 miles in I stepped on a huge pile of what I will assume was dog excrement and I spent the better half of the next 0.25 miles sort of slipping with the assistance of said crap on my shoe. No BUENO.
After that experience, as much as I loved running in the cool, calm, pitch black night, I am purposefully trying to avoid running when it is so dark until I invest in some real running gear that will keep me visible at night and allow me to use my headlamp for guidance to avoid dog crap 2.0. 
And, while I’m at it, since “winter is coming” I’ve got a few things I’d like for the rains that follow here in Northern California.
So, what’s on my list?
This
Amphipod Xinglet LED Vest – Yes please!
and these
Hatch DNR100 DayNight Reflective Gloves
and this
Brooks Nightlife Jacket III
and this
Lululemon Pace Setter in “Pretty Pink” – probably not appropriate for running in the rain!
Honey, if you’re reading this…maybe an early Christmas gift or two is in order? I mean, it’s for my safety. These are necessities, not superfluous things.
(Okay maybe one teensy, tiny, superfluous thing, but hey! I’m a lady for Pete’s sake!).
What other things should I put on my dark/night time/winter running list?
-Mimi
Run with Mimi 