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Runner in the dark

Photo: Patrik Giardino / Getty Images

I admit: I really didn't think you existed.

Yes, you who are reading this column right now.

That you really mean it.

And above all: that there are so many of you.

Who they are?

Hard to say.

Early riser, morning person, lark – none of that applies.

Because it's not about getting up early.

It's about light.

Or rather, about feeling comfortable even without light.

I wanted to get my November frustration off my chest

But first things first: At the beginning of November I complained to you about the increasingly dark hours in winter.

I complained about neon yellow functional clothing and Christmas tree lights and complained about the lack of daylight for runners.

I asked you how you get through the winter.

But actually I just wanted to get my November frustrations off my chest, a relief gripe so to speak.

I should have known that it was too short-sighted.

Because I did the math without you, dear readers.

Because you took my question seriously – and answered it.

In abundance.

Very detailed.

Very serious.

First of all, thank you very much!

At some point I stopped counting the emails.

Instead, I created a folder in my mailbox called “Running Newsletter.”

I collected your emails in the folder, read them every few days - and was amazed.

I'll summarize:

Firstly: everyone agrees that winter is really crap for runners.

Or as Marc Aschmann put it: »There's nothing to sugarcoat: it's no longer fun.

It’s terrible at times in the pitch-dark forest in winter.”

Second: no exercise is not a solution.

If you don't run outside in winter, go on the treadmill.

Or do strength training.

Or yoga.

Or rowing.

Even hula hoop was mentioned.

Third: Most people just keep going.

However, winter runners are divided into three groups:

  • The

    “then stop during the day” faction:

    “There is only one sensible solution to the problem and that is home office!” writes Heiko Wunsch.

    Then you can, for example, run during your lunch break instead of having a “long meal,” as Dierk Tille writes.

    »In addition to the expected advantages such as seeing the sun, it also has the nice effect of calmly ventilating the morning's thoughts.«

  • The

    “If there’s no light, I’ll bring it with me” group:

    Some hold lamps in their hands, others have them strapped to their hips.

    But the vast majority swear by the headlamp, which, as Martin Bauer writes, “now has a light intensity one step below anti-aircraft headlights.”

    Matze Wienberg also writes that the light cone limits the field of vision, but for him it reinforces the meditative character of running: “Even more so when it rains... So take heart... If you've completed the first 10 minutes, that's it Beautiful.« Incidentally, a colleague of Jörg Sievers coined the beautiful term »Hirn-Birn« for the small, bright lamps.

    Flashing bands on the ankles, chest and back lights and high-visibility vests were also listed - and of course the neon yellow jackets that I made fun of (and yes, I know they make sense!).

  • The

    “light is overrated” creatures:

    “My time is between 5 and 6 a.m.,” writes Ursula Wander and lists the advantages of this early time: “Almost no traffic or traffic lights, hardly any dogs without a leash that just play want, in summer the temperatures are perfect, depending on the season you are rewarded with a beautiful sunrise." Vanessa Brittner is also happy about the solitude: "It's quieter, you meet fewer people (that's otherwise difficult in the middle of the Ruhr area) and also You can see stars every now and then while running." And Christiane Meyer really raves: "It's beautiful, I love the silence of the city, I have time to myself, I get a feel for the day, sometimes I see little ones Companions like hedgehogs or foxes, great starry skies or a particularly beautiful moon.

    Or watch how the sky slowly welcomes the morning and the silhouette of the Brandenburg Cathedral complements the view.«

To be honest, I didn't expect that there would be so many people who voluntarily run through the dark at night.

I find it a bit crazy, even if the appeal is obvious.

Especially since some of the descriptions are almost philosophical: “It is the perspective from which I look at a thing,” writes Juliane Boos to me.

»I either find it totally annoying or totally exciting to experience nature in the dark or to jog in the snow under the light of the full moon in winter without a headlamp.

I have a choice.”

She's right.

Not just when it comes to running.

That's how I'll look at it in the future.

And stick to Rainer Rommelfanger, who wrote to me: "I can't take the weather into account." I've already taken a first step towards this.

On Wednesday I went for a very relaxed walk through the city at 6:30 a.m.

It was very dark and very cold and the paths were very, very slippery.

Which is why I didn't go jogging but was on my way to spinning.

But this is another story .

First of all, I wish you a nice weekend.

And have fun in everything you do!

And with that, see you soon!

Yours, Susanne Amann

PS: By the way, it's thanks to Johann von Dewitz

that you can read the other runners' tips here

.

He asked me what tips and tricks others had given me and whether I could write about them.

Thank you very much for that too!