M. Suzanne Terry

My back porch is as close as I get to hanging outside by myself in the dark.

In planning this post, I had a confusing monologue running through my head: Running in the dark is okay. It’s completely your choice if you prefer it. But do not run in the dark. People are awful and you could die. I mean, you’re a grown person who makes your own choices, and it’s much cooler and less crowded, so run in the dark if you must. But also…don’t. It’s harder to see you and also there are fewer people to hear you scream when you’re attacked. It’s totally your right to run in the dark – why should you give up your freedom because of other people’s potential choices? Because see previous statement re: the terribleness of humans and, subsequently, their potential choices. So when you run in the dark, maybe just lie to me and tell me that you don’t. If you must run in the dark and also tell me about it because you enjoy seeing me cry, you forfeit all rights to be surprised if you get a lecture.

Clearly, I am conflicted on this issue.

Ideally, you could run anywhere at anytime wearing anything and be safe from the degrading behavior of other people. That is not often the reality of the world, though. So with the same intensity that I support your choice to run alone outside, I also worry that you’re going to do so and that bad things will happen to you when you do.

This series is about running wild, and part of that is about facing fears. Suzanne, you might be saying, isn’t running in the dark part of facing fear and blah blah blah. Yes…asterisk. It absolutely can be, and if that is how you are facing your fear, don’t let me stop you. And if you do run outside in the dark and get attacked, it is not your fault. In any way. At all. Period. Exercising your basic right to be out in the world is not an invitation for trouble. The responsibility for an attack lies 100% in the hands of the person who made the choice to perpetrate the attack.

I am not asking you to shoulder the responsibility of someone else’s decision. I am asking that you ponder the difference between brave and reckless and lean away from the reckless end of the spectrum.

For example, when you run in the dark, wear reflective clothing. It might seem like you are safer if no one can see you, but if drivers can’t see you, they might not stop in time to miss hitting you. And as I mentioned yesterday, take your phone.

And perhaps pepper spray.

Or a taser.

[Check the legality of things in your area before you carry them. It doesn’t help you to become a criminal while fending one off. /psa]

Everything you do to stay aware of your surroundings during the daylight? Multiply by two in the dark. This is a time to be at your most heightened attention.

Hypothetically speaking (because remember – we’re not telling me if you actually do run alone in the dark), what are some other tips you might have for night runners?

I’m spending 31 days running wild.