A Much Needed Night Run

Last night I completed my first night run in years, after a very stressful afternoon. The day started out well. My sister flew in from California on the red eye, and we were all super excited to see her. We were headed down to my mother’s house on the Cape when things started to get interesting…

I had my first flat tire EVER on 195E right around exit 4. It was weird–I started to feel the car steering differently, and then I heard the telltale sound of a flat. Thankfully, I managed to get off the highway and to a gas station before ruining my rims. Well, let’s just say I don’t have AAA but will be getting it today. Thank God my sister did! We called up and the tow truck was there within five minutes!

The tow truck driver starts to look around for the spare tire on my Toyota Sienna minivan and finds, lo and behold, it does NOT have one! I was shocked to discover that the spare tire is apparently an option (we bought ours used and did not know this). Being AWD, the van could not be towed on a tow truck and required a flat bed truck, which was busy at the time. Thankfully the driver knew a person who operated the service station up the street where they did tires. We had to get a used tire to get ourselves to the Cape and were on the road within an hour.

My poor sister was left outside the van– it was on a jack so no hanging out inside–in the drizzle with my two boys and two dogs while we I was off procuring the new tire. I am thankful it was a balmy 50 degrees out and not freezing cold! So, we finally made it home to the Cape, and I was counting the hours until a much needed run.

I haven’t run outside at night since I lived in San Diego, which was roughly eight years ago! My neighborhood is just not a great place to run in at night. However, a night run is completely feasible in my hometown of Falmouth. I decided to take my Knuckle Lights on an inaugural run (you will see the review in a week or two). I also wanted to scope out all the cool Christmas lights around town and at the Village Green (see the picture of the lit tree from the V.

While I was out on my night run, I remembered how much I love night running. Because you can’t see as well, all of your senses are heightened. I could smell the fires, dinners cooking, and the salty beach air. I could even taste the salt as I ran along the beach with the butt-kicking wind whipping me along. I ran by the bank thermometer and it was 57 degrees! I have no idea how fast I was running because I decided to leave the watch at home. I am guessing the 4.25 mile run was at the pace of a tempo run.

Running at night is an amazing experience, and if you haven’t tried it yet, I highly encourage you to do so (but only if you live in a safe area). Remember to keep yourself lit up like a Christmas tree if you head out in the dark. I always do!