Running trails after sunset - stupid or ok with the right headlamp?

Should read ‘only a mile…’

Its ok until you fall and break something. I'd run the roads with a headlamp in the dark.

I have run some very technical trails in the dark, using a Petzl NAO+ headlamp on full bright, and a waist light. The waist light helps bring out the definition of the roots/rocks that the headlamp doesn't help with, and the headlamp lets you see exactly what is making that noise off to your side. Both are needed.

Even though I live in a well-illuminated city there are patches that are dark after sunset. The problem is when you are doing fast reps you really need to hold back because you don't see the surface correctly.

As you already tripped twice a headlamp seems like a no brainer - Petzl IKO Core seems to be pretty good.

Slow way down and feel with your feet. I would just use it as an easy run until you learn which sections you can safely hammer.

Use some bicycle gloves. Falls will be so much nicer.

If mtb riders can do it running with equally good lamp should be fine. Just slow down and feel every step

Headlight, waistlight, and a handheld flashlight. And yes the MTB gloves. Thin ones if it's warm, thicker when it's not.

Thanks for all the responses so far - all taken under advisement - will look into the lamps and even reconsider the trails at my advanced age of 51. My fitness seems so much better after returning to trails…I don’t want to give them up but don’t want a broken fibula either!

I’m also over 50 and last time I ran in the dark my body did a terrible job of adjusting to even minor miscalculations in the terrain. Every time I missed that the ground was an inch higher or lower than expected, even when smooth, just really threw me off and made it not enjoyable.

That’s a long way of saying I’m done with trail running at night unless the trail has a very predictable and well groomed surface.