Your safety is our number one priority, and it should be yours, too!
As the nights get longer and the days get colder, it’s important to be thoughtful when you run outside. Here are our best tips for keeping yourself protected and comfortable while you run.
Wear Neon Colors and Reflective Materials When Running at Night
It’s difficult for drivers and bicyclists to see runners at night, and wearing dark or muted colors only enhances the problem. Instead, wear bright neon colors or reflective materials, which make it easier for you to be seen as you pass by headlights, bike lights, and streetlights. The more eye-catching you are, the more visible you are to others!
Goodmiles sells a range of apparel to make you easy to see at night. Check out reflective vests from Nathan, bright hats and thermal headbands from Brooks, and more. The best selection is in store, so stop by today!
Communicate! Share Your Location with a Friend or Family Member
Before you leave for a run, make sure at least one person knows where you’re going and approximately how long you plan to be gone.You can also share your location on both iPhone and Android, which is a great way for someone you trust to keep an eye on your whereabouts.
Other options to share your location include using Garmin GPS watches with the connecting app on your phone. There are several other runner safety apps you can install, including Red Panic Button (which sends your location to a pre-set list of contacts when activated) and Strava (which sends a text to a predetermined contact whenever you begin running).
In general, you should always bring your mobile phone with you as you run. Besides tracking your location, it also ensures that you can call someone in case of an injury, navigate if you get lost, and react quickly in case of any other emergency.
How to Dress Warmly for Running in Winter
There are several factors to consider as you dress to run outdoors in winter.
The first is that you should limit wetness on your skin. Wear a moisture-wicking base layer to pull sweat away from your body as you move. On top of that, wear a soft and warm layer, such as fleece. Then, your outer layer should be something waterproof and windproof that helps keep the elements at bay.
Once you’ve done that, consider ways to eliminate other areas of exposed skin. Gloves are essential, as is either a hat or a headband. A neck gaiter and tall running socks are also useful.
Goodmiles carries a variety of winter running accessories, such as thermal hats and headbands from Brooks, hats and gloves from New Balance, and ankle and crew-length socks from Feetures and Smarwool. Stock up and bundle up today!
Bring Light and Sound-Making Devices
In case of an emergency, such as someone harassing you as you run, it’s a smart idea to have technology that will draw attention to the situation and/or deter your harasser.
Goodmiles stocks several safety devices, including a runner’s flashlight that comes with a whistle, as well as a combination siren and strobe light. Other standard safety materials, such as pepper spray and whistles, are also good to have on hand.
Run Against Traffic
It’s recommended that you run facing the opposite direction of oncoming traffic. Running towards a car rather than in its direction makes it easier for them to see you, and for you to see them. The more aware you are of your surroundings, the safer you’ll be.
Choose Your Routes Carefully and Change Them Regularly
When you’re choosing your route, make sure to be cautious about what areas and neighborhoods you’re running through. Consult trusted sources to get an idea of where you’re running, and avoid secluded or dangerous areas whenever possible.
It’s best to change your routine regularly, which can be as simple as running your regular route backwards or switching the time of day or day of the week that you run. Besides being safer for you, it also adds some variety to your running experience!
Run in Groups Whenever Possible
The cliche really is true: There’s safety in numbers! Running with a buddy or a group makes you more visible, reduces the chances of outsiders bothering you, and ensures that someone can respond immediately in case of an emergency.
If you don’t already have a friend or two to run with, Goodmiles has just the thing for you: Run Clubs! We offer two weekly run clubs in Milwaukee: Our Greenfield Run Club runs every Wednesday at 6 PM, and our Brookfield Run Club runs every Thursday at 6 PM.
This group is truly made for everyone, catering to runners of all ages, paces, and levels of enthusiasm. During a Run Club session, you can anticipate a collective warm-up and a group start to the run. Throughout the run, individuals naturally diverge based on whether they want to walk, jog, or run. Afterwards, everyone reconvenes at the Goodmiles store for some stretching and a cool down.
Participation is always free, but we request that you register online so that we can have an estimate of the group size. Once you've registered, all that's left to do is come as you are, prepared to run, and rack up those goodmiles!
Visit Goodmiles in Milwaukee for More Tips and Running Gear
Our friendly Fit Experts at Goodmiles are happy to answer your questions and set you up with the very best running gear. We care about every aspect of your run, from your shoes to your safety. Visit our locations in Brookfield or Greenfeld, or shop online at Goodmilesrunning.com, today! See you soon, running buddies.