What's the Deal with the Title?

The only time I have ever heard of or seen anyone running with a headlamp is in Runner’s World. I run at night; I run in the early morning. I see other runners out with neon yellow jackets, reflectors and blinking lights. I have never seen anyone actually running with a headlamp.

I am a person who really likes the gear. I don’t want to admit it. I would rather be simplistic and rugged and all “all you need is a pair of shoes to run,” but the moisture wicking fabric in everything from underwear to jackets has changed my life. Runs, bike rides, yard work—its all more comfortable with the right gear. And there are so many cute running things! So one might think the headlamp would be right up my alley? No. No way. REALLY? It seems dorky. Even for me. And I know that I look dorky most of the time. I even succumbed to the water bottle belt that velcros tightly around my waist (right where I needed extra volume!) in the name of good hydration on long runs or hot days (or both, heaven forbid.) But a headlamp seems like something only for the pages of a magazine. I have reflectors. I have blinking lights. I know the importance of safety and being seen. A headlamp is over the top.

I was operating just fine under this philosophy of “I draw the line of gear with a headlamp” until a couple of weeks ago when I was out after dark on a favorite and familiar route. Sticking to the sidewalks this time, I was getting along just fine with my blinking lights and reflectors. Until the sidewalk ran out and I was stumbling over grass not two feet from stumbling right into a tree trunk. This was a familiar and favorite route, mind you. Not a brand new one. You would think I’d remember where the sidewalk stops and cross the street. But I couldn’t see! It turns out reflectors and blinking lights don’t so much light the way, as allow a person to be seen. I learned that winter evening, that seeing is just as important to my personal safety.

So here I am. It’s winter. And I need to run with a headlamp if it’s dark. I can admit it. I just have to bring myself to do it.