running in the dark

About a month ago, I injured myself pretty badly when I went running in the dark.  I was visiting family, staying in a hotel and had been running the same route for a few days.  I woke up really early - still dark out - and decided I'd hit it early - and try out a new route.  About a quarter of a mile into it, I hit a piece of bad pavement, went flying and opened up a few nasty cuts and bruises on my knee and elbow.  

I was off for a full week, slowly got back to walking and gratefully, am back to my usual routine.  Most importantly, I vowed, No More Running in the Dark.  

Fast forward - today - and I am again on the road, staying at a hotel with a few good running routes I've gotten comfortable with.  Deja vu! I woke up super early today and thought to myself  "No way!  You are not running in the dark."

Then I thought to myself.  Hey, you have a headlight you can wear.  You can go a bit slower.  You can be a bit more mindful.  But you can get outside.  In fact, you have to go outside NOW and not be afraid.   There might be something to learn here. 

And so I did.  I had a good energetic run on some new terrain.  It was a beautiful morning.  I had the joy of watching the sunrise.  

Sometimes our thinking is our best friend and sometimes you have to realize these are just thoughts.  Today the thought No Running in the Dark was happily replaced with some new ones that were so much more powerful.  Don't be afraid.  Move forward with what you've learned.  

How can you go Running in the Dark?