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It was around mile two of the Joshua Tree Half Marathon that I started to hear animals I couldn’t see. Was that a horse? I wondered (and hoped). The daylight was officially gone. But I realized that as spooky as night running might be, it also creates an eerie kind of magic. Lights twinkled in the valley below the hilly path I was climbing, but all around me it was pitch black, aside from the few feet of sandy trail that each runner’s headlamp illuminated. With nothing else to see, all I had to focus on were my own footsteps and my breath—and how I could race through the desert as quickly as possible.
Experts In This Article
Amie Dworecki, B.S., M.A., MBA,
Brad Whitley, DPT,
Marnie Kunz, CPT2,
Most long-distance races take place in the morning, but this half marathon starts right around sunset. Because the scenery of the course is a tad monotonous, the race organizers embrace the adrenaline rush you can get from running under the stars. I joined as part of a press trip sponsored by Nathan Sports, Skechers, and Swiftwick. The experience reminded me that even when the days are short during the winter and pushing your pace after the sun goes down becomes the norm, night running can be its own unique adventure.
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The perks of running at night
What are the main benefits of night running? Here are a few of the top reasons to get in a nocturnal workout.
- The temperature is cooler
- Your body’s more ready to run
- It might feel easier
- Night running can help you sleep
- You’re likely better fueled
- It’s more peaceful
- You have more options
Running at night vs. morning: How to choose
Many runners swear by their morning miles. But obviously, the a.m. hours aren’t the only time to run. How do you know whether night or morning runs will serve you best?
Safety precautions for night running
- Make sure you have enough light
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