When I lived in the suburbs, deep within the safety and security of the family friendly, Metrowest area of Massachusetts, I rarely ran at night.
You see, when I ran in the suburbs, there was a quietness that was peaceful, but over time turned worrisome. When in the dark, I’d start to hear my own footsteps, every single one, one at a time, even over the music in my iPod. I’d hear everything actually, even though everything was just a symphony of crickets or a bubbling brook.
And I didn’t see much. Sometimes I’d see shadows, and more often than not they were from a tree branch swaying in the breeze or a rare car driving by no faster than 35 MPH.
It was scary out there.
I live in the city now and I find myself opting to run at night more and more. One would think that in the city, running at night is more dangerous, but I don’t think it is.
When I run at night, it isn’t dark out. Street lights pour over my path, and that path is almost always filled with pedestrians walking from the train or bus, no matter what time of night I am running. The sound of cars zooming by and the chatter from within the restaurants I pass sit behind the music on my iPod. When I run at night in the city, I’m not alone.
And it’s not scary at all.
i prefer to run in the morning, but i love running in the evening at home along the country roads. i’ve never lived in a city.
I love running at night as well. In my old neighborhood, it was a good time to spy through people’s windows (I’m creepy). It just feels special out there at night.
I prefer to run in the morning, but I can’t in this heat. So night it is! Isn’t running the best stress reduction technique ever?
I am not a runner but a walker. I have mixed feelings of walking at night. Maybe it is because my ex-boyfriend constantly commented to me on walking alone at night and how dangerous it was. I have never really feel unsafe in Boston. Maybe it is because I am tall and have a grimmace on my face but the angel and the devil of walking at night sometimes compete for my attention.
how about some night swimming? It would make R.E.M. proud!