How do you handle route choice?
Hey Y'all!Training for my first marathon in Brooklyn, and most of my runs end up before sunrise since that's the only time I can reliably get out. The thing I didn't think about going in: as the long runs get longer, my normal loop isn't enough anymore, so I'm ending up in areas I don't know as well while it's still dark.
I've had a couple of moments this year that made me a little more thoughtful about where I go; nothing dramatic, but enough that I now actually plan the route instead of just heading out the door.
I don't want to be paranoid about it or stop doing the runs. I'm just curious how the rest of you handle it in practice. When the mileage forces you somewhere new and it's still dark, how do you decide where to go? Do you stick to a few known loops and repeat them, switch it up, head somewhere specific? And has anyone actually changed a regular route because something felt off, or do you mostly just keep going?
Mostly trying to learn from people who've been doing this longer than me. Go easy on me. Thanks!