Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Hi everyone! Been running casually with the local run club (read: pub club) and sounds like I need to do some general reading of this thread for tips and technique. Been steadily finding it easier but I'm far from where I'd like to be effort vs time wise. Equally would like to step up the distance slowly and take on a half marathon some time next year.

Anyway - will ask the locals at this week's run but does anyone here have a recommended torch/light for running with now it's dark? Probably something body worn if it's not too irritating as I assume a head torch would bounce to much. Cheers
 
petridish said:
Hi everyone! Been running casually with the local run club (read: pub club) and sounds like I need to do some general reading of this thread for tips and technique. Been steadily finding it easier but I'm far from where I'd like to be effort vs time wise. Equally would like to step up the distance slowly and take on a half marathon some time next year.

Anyway - will ask the locals at this week's run but does anyone here have a recommended torch/light for running with now it's dark? Probably something body worn if it's not too irritating as I assume a head torch would bounce to much. Cheers
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I use the Petzl Bindi its a light head torch at 35g and recharge it via usb and can he had for about £30. It's only 200 lumens brightness its enough for me, but if your in complete darkness in the complete wilderness with no other light sources around you might want something a little brighter.
 
Yeah, it depends a lot on what you want it for, for just rubbing around the streets i'd pick up a cheap/lightweight headtorch. Head mounted makes it easy to look around. I'd try and get something with a red light on the rear too for visibility. Especially if you ever end up on rural country roads without a pavement. Maybe even just an arm strap light like this


For anything more adventurous, i have the Silva Trail Runner free. Which has been pretty great, but it's overkil for just on roads and not as comfortable due to the weight of the battery.
 
Thanks both, and I've now realised I should have added more info originally to help. Our runs are a mix of in town (majority pavement and reasonably lit) and more rural, old railway line / gravel tracks around some lakes with tree cover etc. Usually a bit of both in any given route.

For the round town bit I'm only worried about being seen and always wear bright colours as a minimum but the other areas are very dark and often slightly uneven. That's where I really need the light and expect the brighter / wider the better.

The other thing is I currently go out as minimally as possible as it's only a 5km run and I don't need sustenance, but I could look at a lightweight running pack if that'd help with torch mounting and battery carrying. Presume I'd want one anyway once I get up to longer distances and need to take water out with me.
 
petridish said:
Thanks both, and I've now realised I should have added more info originally to help. Our runs are a mix of in town (majority pavement and reasonably lit) and more rural, old railway line / gravel tracks around some lakes with tree cover etc. Usually a bit of both in any given route.

For the round town bit I'm only worried about being seen and always wear bright colours as a minimum but the other areas are very dark and often slightly uneven. That's where I really need the light and expect the brighter / wider the better.

The other thing is I currently go out as minimally as possible as it's only a 5km run and I don't need sustenance, but I could look at a lightweight running pack if that'd help with torch mounting and battery carrying. Presume I'd want one anyway once I get up to longer distances and need to take water out with me.
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No worries, always impossible to know what's relevant until someone starts asking questions!

I'm not sure i'd bother with a pack yet, you don't really "need" to carry water until you're getting over 2 hours in my experience. Especially not in cooler temperatures. Plus as before, i'd always favour a head based torch, just for being able to look around you and light things up. The only annoyance is that you end up fogging up the light beam with your breath when it's particularly humid!

My preference would always be to avoid separate batteries if you can, and the ones in something like this would be good for a couple of hours

Also can never go wrong with Decathlon stuff. This one arguably looks better for me, but it depends if the rear battery would annoy you
 
Thanks again. That second one the battery does look a little beefy to be hanging off the back of your head. Last time I had a head torch was at least 15 years ago now and I remember it being pretty heavy, which is pushing me the towards lighter the better. For sure lights and LEDs have come a long way since then though.

Thanks for the tip on decathlon too. I think I need to get down to my local one at the weekend and try some on for feel to know what suits me best comfort wise.
 
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