lights – Slacker Runner

Disclaimer: I received Knuckle Lights to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

My town has a lack of street lights and sidewalks. The sidewalks that it does have tend to be very uneven and of abnormal heights. Seriously- the city was actually sued at one point due to this. Throw in the occasional mountain lion sighting and cranky dogs and I had plenty of reasons to not run at night. All of which I embraced wholeheartedly but I really, really dislike the treadmill so something had to change during these dark winter months. I ventured on one evening run last winter with a flashlight to guide my way. Not bad but not great. I tried again this winter. Again not bad but not great. Also I kept accidentally hitting the setting for the emergency flash on the flashlight. Oops.

Enter Knuckle Lights. These pint size puppies pack a punch! They come with a charge right out of the box and I was unprepared for how bright they would be. I saw stars for a few moments after I pointed the first one right at my face. Oops. Ok, so they blinded me in close quarters but how would they work on the run?

Freakin’ awesome! My first time running with them didn’t end in full darkness so while I thought they helped cars see me in the twilight, I didn’t really feel like it was a good test of them. My next run with them was after work and returning home so in complete darkness. I geared up and set out for my run. I was surprised just turning on one of the lights, I felt like I could see everything so much better, what would two do? Holy crap, the night lit up. Not only could I see the ground and the bushes and everything around me, I knew cars could see me. In fact I was worried I might blind an oncoming driver! Now, granted I haven’t asked one to stop to get their opinion. 😛

In fact I love the lights so much that I did something I thought would never be possible. I ran after work in work town. I always considered that route to be off limits in the dark- not anymore! Now I didn’t go all the way into the state park because I do want to do a daylight check for downed trees thanks to all our recent rain but I got pretty close. Yay for more running options!!

Now for some technical jargon from the website-

2 LIGHTS PER SET: The 2 units are held comfortably on your hands with soft silicone straps. The straps are easily adjusted to fit any size hand and even over gloves. The units connect together magnetically so they can easily be stored when not in use. The units are super lightweight at less than 3 ounces each.
280 TOTAL LUMENS: Each unit is 140 Lumens on high power, so you get a super bright 280 Lumens combined. The LED pattern is a WIDE FLOOD BEAM, so it puts out light in all directions, providing a steady, even light in front of you that does not bounce around, even with your arms moving.
3 POWER SETTINGS: High, Low and Blinking.
BATTERY LIFE PER CHARGE: 4 Hours on High Power | 8 Hours on Low Power | 14 Hours on Blinking.

There a few things I wish were slightly different-

I like to run with pepper spray and have a free hand to grab it. More often than not, I run with both Knuckle Lights in one hand. They are super light weight so it’s not noticeable at all.
I run with a handheld water bottle so with my desire to keep a hand free for my pepper spray something has to lose and that is my water. So far all my runs with the lights have been shorter and that has been fine but eventually I will need to figure something else out.
The order of the lights- Instead of High*Low*Flash, I wish it was Low*High*Flash. Now, I have that preference because I start running at twilight or later so it gets darker as I run. I imagine that morning runners like the standard set up because it gets lighter the longer they run.

All in all, I love these little lights and wish I had them sooner. I can see them lighting the way for my runs for a long time to come. It almost makes me sad that the days are getting longer again. Almost.

Want your own Knuckle Lights? Use code “bibravepro” for 10% off your order.

Do you run in the dark?

How do you light up your path?

Working on my night moves
In the winter time
in the dark winter time

Like my rewrite? Sing it with me!

You guys, I ran at night!!!! Which if we’re keeping track is only the second time ever! I braved the dark, the cold and the potential mountain lions and went for a run. It was only 2 miles but it was a start right?

I packed my gym bag on Monday but I really wasn’t feeling it. I had only found 1 blinky light and while I had checked my flashlight and while it worked, I had checked it in the daylight. I didn’t really know how much light it put out. Work ran late, I was exhausted and I was telling myself I still didn’t feel well even after a week off. I used the restroom before leaving work, went to grab my gym bag…and stared at it. It’s not like it was getting darker right? So, after a lightning fast change, I headed towards home.

The whole drive home, I wondered if I would chicken out. Running in the dark is not my thing. But I really hate the treadmill. I parked at a local business directly under a light and headed for what I think is the best street. Which is funny as it has like 4 street lights. 😛😛 I had a blinking light on my belt, a flashing band on my arm, reflective hat and my flashlight. I didn’t feel like it was enough. Bonus, my flashlight was dying. Slacker fail.

I stuck to the sidewalk. I kept it nice and slow. Can’t worry about pace when you can barely see right? My eyes adjusted quicker than I thought they would. It was colder than I thought it would be. It was in the high 50’s and I probably would have loved that during the day. At night, I wanted more layers.

A group of teenage boys drove by and catcalled me and I celebrated. They could see me!!! My lights were working! I did a little jig. A short, slow 2 miles later and I was back at my car. I did it!

All excitement aside, I will be more prepared the next time. I found my second blinky light. I need new batteries for my flashlight. I need to buy a reflective vest. That should be it for now. No need to get crazy. Let’s make sure I do this more than once a year this time. 😛

Do you run in the dark? Night or morning?

Best apparel advice?