My pal Heidi says she aims to be “lit up like a Christmas tree” when she runs pre-dawn

Saturday at 7 a.m., when I headed out for my weekend long run, it was still shockingly dark–and it stayed that way for almost the first five miles. Sure, it was partly due to fog and clouds, but it also was a sad reminder at how much shorter the days are getting. Yes, us morning runners will get a brief reprieve after this weekend when daylight savings time ends, but soon after, all my weekdays runs will be completed before the sun makes its daily appearance. Sigh. And for all you late-day runners, you’re going to be plunged back into darkness soon if you aren’t already. More sighs.
So Dim and I figured it’s time for a refresher course on how to make yourself as visible as possible to drivers–who we runners should always assume are paying more attention to their cell phone, XM radio dial, coffee, and mascara wand than on the road ahead of them–as well as lighting up our paths so we don’t trip. (I prefer a smoothie to a a sidewalk-sandwich for breakfast…) Yes, a lot of these pointers are Running 101, but as I’ve found with my daughter Daphne and reminders to not draw on the walls or furniture: It never hurts to be repeat the obvious.
Run facing traffic, sticking close to the curb. (I don’t know about you, but I’m always horrified to see runners going down the middle of a street.)  I’m not a fan of running on the sidewalk–too many roots jutting up the surface and concrete is tougher on joints than asphalt–so I stick to the road. But most mornings, when I see the #9 bus barreling toward me, I hop onto the sidewalk for a bit to give it wide berth.
Wear plenty of reflective hits. Aim to have reflective trim on your shoes, tights or skirt, jacket, vest, or shirt, and even your hat. Reflectors grab a driver’s attention better if it’s on a part of your body that’s moving, so consider wearing a reflective wrist- or ankle-band (I sport this one from Amphipod), in addition to a reflective vest or hat. (I’m a big fan of this topper from Headsweats.)

These won’t help you see the road ahead, but they’re worth a chuckle.

Light your way. According to a recent article in Runner’s World, drivers can see a headlamp from a quarter-mile away (whereas they can only see a white shirt from 50 feet out). I get tunnel visions when I wear a headlamp, though, so lately I’ve been running with some nifty new lights called Knuckle Lights. They are comfortable and unobtrusive, and I like that I can direct the beam of light, like when I hit a rough patch of pavement. And, I’ll admit it: They make me feel badass because they are like a runner’s version of brass knuckles or gangsta bling.
Wear light colors. Yes, as I reported above, wearing a white (or yellow, bright pink, or orange) shirt or jacket doesn’t work all that well by itself, but it’s an additional tool in your high-visibility arsenal. There are several apparel lines, namely by Saucony and Brooks, designed especially for grabbing drivers’ attention. Sure, in broad daylight, they make you look like a crossing-guard, but in low light, they do the job.
Stay inside. Of course, one sure way to steer clear of cars: Run on a treadmill.
How ’bout you: How do you play it safe when you run in the early morning/night?