Anyone who loves running has discovered all the great trails around Virginia Tech. They’ve also probably discovered the joy of running in 80 degree weather and trying to run on sidewalks filled with people going to and from class. I started going on night runs to de-stress after doing all my work for the day. I had to make some adjustments, but now I prefer running at night. Here are a few tips to have a successful (and safe) night run on campus:
1. Find a running buddy
The best way to stay safe at night is to have someone else with you. If anything goes wrong, they’ll be there to help. Running with someone else is always fun. Plus, having a workout partner can be motivational. You can push each other to run one more day a week or go that extra mile. If you can’t find anyone to run with, or just prefer to run alone, make sure you let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
2. Wear bright colors
While your new black workout tank from Lululemon is cute, save that for the gym and try a white one instead. Wearing bright colors such as white, yellow and pink make you more visible to cars. This is especially important if you plan on crossing roads during your run. If you really want to go all-out, you can even buy reflective armbands.
3. Run near blue lights
These lights are scattered all around campus, making it easy to plan a variety of running routes. I prefered sticking to the Drillfield, and running that loop until I hit my intended time or distance. Melanie Bomberg, a sophomore, figured out a route with plenty of blue lights. She suggests starting at Cassel and running down Washington Street SW towards, West Campus Drive. Continue down and take a right onto Prices Fork Road, followed by a right onto Stanger Street, which turns into Kent after the Drillfield. That will take you right back to Washington Street. It’s about a 2.3 mile loop, with a nice mixture of uphills and downhills.
4. Always bring your phone
I know that most running shorts lack a pocket big enough for your iPhone 6+, but you can find a cute armband or running belt for cheap at Walmart or Target. It’s so important to have your phone with you incase something goes wrong, especially if you aren’t near a blue light.
5. Keep the music turned down
If you’re like me and need music for you to keep up your pace, make sure it isn’t too loud. You should be able to hear things like car horns or someone’s voice. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night when your vision is limited.
Running at night can be a fun way to unwind and exercise at the end of a long day. Just make sure you stay smart and safe while doing it!