I have been running off road at night for 15 years, it is one of the more interesting forms of running. Road running is, I think quite monotonous, so I like to spice my runs up a bit with a bit of adventure. Below is a recent article from mens running magazine:
Running off road at night, your senses become much more alert, sounds that in daylight you would hardly notice spring to your attention,
you notice the breeze and you are aware of your own footsteps and breathing. Your world shrinks to the pool of light immediately in front of you as you focus on the ground ahead and you notice objects in your peripheral vision. Night running is more than running whilst not being able to see very far, it offers experiences that you simply don’t get in the day: If you are lucky bats will flit around above your head, owls hoot in the trees and you might glimpse foxes and badgers as they go about their nocturnal activities. You might see some people going about theirs as well, for which there is always 999. We are so reliant on our sight that night running feels alien at first and our mind plays tricks: the small rise in the ground a few hundred metres away appears to loom like a large hill in the distance. The first time you see eyes staring at you reflected in your torch light is startling ( bit like the first time you saw that Paris Hilton video) but after a few times you overcome the racing heart and recognise the sheep and cattle that you pass in the day. However the sleeping grouse that you don’t see until you wake it and it flaps away cackling in alarm takes a little more getting used to. As well as the training benefit you get much more from a night run. Away from light pollution you see rare sights: A cloudless night with no moon will have you stopping to gaze at the billions of stars, or a full moon emerging from the clouds, bright enough to cast a shadow. I couldn't have said it better myself............
The aim is to run every Tuesday and Wednesdays nights, get in touch if want to come along and play. The runs will be in an area about 5 miles outside of Cirencester in Gloucestershire. Again contact for more information.........
