NORTHVILLE, Mich. – Running during the winter months can be more challenging with the days shorter, and many have to consider exercising in the dark.
In Northville, a group of runners gathers twice a week to run at 5 a.m. long before the sun comes up, but they only do it as a group.
Angela Carron, community outreach coordinator for Gazelle Sports, said running in the dark should never be done alone.
"This is not something I want to take on by myself in the dark," Carron said. "If it weren't for my running buddies, I know I wouldn't get up and out the door every morning. It makes me feel safe, it holds me accountable and it gets me my workout in before the sun comes up. "
Carron recommends wearing bright colors and reflective gear like a vest. She said it’s called passive reflection, so when car lights come on they will see runners in the dark. She said the vest lights up in the back as well. She also wears reflection right on her skin.
"I got my reflector goo on my legs," Carron said. "I put it on the back too so when my legs are moving it pops out for them."
Carron also thinks flashing lights because they can be so eye catching. She wears a headlamp but said it's for guidance to make sure she doesn't trip and fall anywhere and for people to see her in the dark as well.
Carron also carries pepper spray in the palm of her hand after having an unusual experience during one more run.
"We did have an encounter once with a man in the wee hours in the morning, (he) just didn't seem to belong where he was and we had never seen him before. When we did come upon him he didn't act normal, wouldn't say good morning to us and ran then ran the other way, so it was really scary," Carron said. "It's a little bit of extra safety makes me feel safer."
When running, stay on main roads and on the left side of the road. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Also carry a phone but leave the ear buds at home so you can hear trouble approaching.
Carron said she likes to run first thing in the morning because with families, jobs, there are too many things that can get in the way of doing the run later in the day. Other runners agree making it first on the "to do" list ensures it actually gets done.
"I think it enhances my day honestly, I don't feel the same on days I don't run in the morning. It gives me energy, it is like my morning coffee and it really just sets the tone for a great day," said Hannah Cavicchio, a fellow runner.
"It really helps me get my stress out, it really gets my body going and sets the tone for the day," said Ana Buia, another runner.
Carron said she gets her running clothes, shoes, everything she needs out the night before so when she gets up she can get out the door quickly, another tip to ensure she gets that morning run in before her day starts.