![]() Here’s another great thing: as you run, your body releases chemicals, such as endorphins, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, all responsible for the elusive “runner’s high”. Over the course of your run, you’ll transition into night time which will make it seem less intimidating than starting off in the dark. Start your run at dusk, while it’s still light enough to see your surroundings. ![]() Most running specific lights will give you multiple lumen settings, so you can stick to the lower lumens for preserving battery, but quickly switch to a brighter setting if you need it. Brighter is definitely better – but it’s important to know that the higher the lumens, the faster the battery will invevetably die. Perfect for helping you prevent tripping over your cat in your house during a power outage, not so great for traversing the woods at night. Your average, cheap handheld flashlight is going to be between 25-50 lumens. Lumens are essentially the measurement of brightness. A headlamp or handheld light designed specifically for running with a minimum of 150 lumens (though I’d recommend something closer to 300). The first, and most important step to take to get over your fear of running in the dark, is to invest in a quality light. Alright, mother hen lecture aside, let’s get to it: Invest in a Quality Lighting System Wear reflective gear, blinking lights, basically anything that makes you look like a moving Christmas tree, so drivers will see you. However, if you’re on the roads in the dark, please do me a solid favor and make sure you can be seen. That said, every single one of these tips can absolutely be applied to road running as well. If it’s your first time here, welcome: I’m a dirt loving trail runner. In this post, most of my references are about running in the dark on trail. How to Overcome the Fear of Running in the Dark When one of our senses – in this case, sight, is taken away, other senses are heightened, making us question every little sound we hear. Further, the dark presents an element of the unknown: we can’t see what’s going on. According to scientists, this fear is a form of anxiety that stems from a time when humans were prey, and our predators hunted predominately at night ( source). The truth is, there is an evolutionary reason why we are afraid of the dark. I’m still afraid of the Blair Witch Project, and I’ve only seen the movie once, TWENTY years ago. Even worse, the woods at night can be terrifying.
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