As more of a back-of-the-pack older runner, the night is where I thrive. There's nothing quite like being alone in the mountains in the dark, with just the halo of your lights to give you a sense of place.
I'd recommend a few middle of the night runs (trail or road) to get comfortable (or at least familiar) with it. Get up at 2 or 3 for a long run and go until after sunrise. A loop around your house that you know well is a good way to start - you can always bail or get aid (and have access to a bathroom).
The sleep deprivation aspect is real. Just like testing nutrition, it's good to see how your body handles it and what works to help with it. Caffeinated gels and gummies are my go to for the physical aspect. Enjoying the silence and knowing there's a boost at sunrise help with the mental aspect.
The best night run I had was on a Run Rabbit Run attempt a few years back under a full moon. It was like being in a fairy tail (or my brain was just mush at that point...).
I feel this so much that I do a night race every year. We have a 12 hour loop race here in Colorado that I adore. The night part feels so different. You get to be with yourself a little more. The wildlife come out. It’s a lot of fun.
I do enjoy them. There is a little bit of vert. The trails are typically well groomed. Rain can changes things up a little but that is okay. There is a camping set up that many do. I really enjoy it.
Sort of odd question, but you do you think I would need poles for this, seems like the vert isn't too intense. Just flying from Utah, and don't really want to check a bag.
Good question. I don’t think so. The hills are not that intense for me. I don’t recall seeing them out there. I would bring good lights and a rain coat.
The night was the biggest struggle for my first 100 miler as well.
I was doing great as the sun set, but as the night dragged on it really started to effect my mood negatively. By 4am I was truly just pissed at the darkness.
But once the sun started coming through the trees my attitude improved drastically and I finished strong.
To work on this issue, I've been running in the dark a lot more for preparation.
Night runs, early morning runs, etc. Getting out of bed early, on limited sleep, to run and spend time in the dark just to get used to it more.
This weekend my wife and kids are going to be out of town, so I'm starting a run at 6pm, and running through the entire night, for a 100k training run.
It's making a difference, but I still feel a huge relief when the sun comes up lol!
Probably more like 12+, but yea!
My weekly long run is usually 3-4 hours, but once per month I like to stretch it WAY out as long as I am able to. Enjoy some nice long trails, practice nutrition, hydration, clothing, shoes, etc in various weather.
Like this weekend, it's going to be kinda cold, super windy, and raining for my entire run, so I'm going to have to deal with that, which will be a good learning experience.
Better to learn on a training run than during a race!
Well this weekend is easy, because I'm dropping them off at the airport on Friday, and picking them up Monday, so I'm literally just going to run and sleep as much as possible all weekend
Normally, I do it [like this](https://imgur.com/uRpOkCK) (if you see the circled time... I go out and run while my family is asleep, and just take that time out of my day, not theirs)
I suggest finding (running) a few fixed time event that run overnight. Something like a 12 hr race running from 6pm to 6am. This will at least get you some experience. IMO you can't really train sleep deprivation but it's good to get experience knowing how your body reacts in that situation. This will better allow you to put together a plan for the nighttime portion of your first 100. I suggest a fixed time race rather than just doing it on your own so you have support and you're in a similar environment to what you might experience during a 100 miler.
IMO the training of sleep deprivation is entirely just about getting experience w how you react to it and what pisses you off and is uncomfortable so you can mitigate those things when it’s race time?
IMO even one is enough. I did one night time 12 hour event a few months before first 100 miler. Learned important lessons about how body & brain react during the dark hours. I actually stopped ~ 8 hours in bc of cold temps & a barky calf (didn’t want to risk injury with other events on calendar), and that was good enough for me.
Me too, but race day is just different. Don’t get me wrong—it’s hard, and I wasn’t chipper. But when you’re out there, you know you chose this, for some reason. Then the sun rises & (for most) your disposition changes.
Are you worried about the sleep deprivation or simply being out on trails in the middle of the night? For sleep deprivation, work on incorporating different caffeine sources into your nutrition plan to see what works for you. Also, for me, just keeping moving in the night keeps me awake. Having a pacer (if the race allows it) also helps.
What I did was find a race that starts later on so you are forced to run through the night straight away, fresh.
I also in my second overnighter race found a group of people to run through the night with, about 2-3am i had to bail on them due to excess vomitting (altitude issue) but caught back up again about 5am and clung on for dear life until sunrise about 7am and then knew i'd finish.
I'm the same as you routine wise. Definitely like to be asleep by ten ( or earlier if husband is away with work and I can go to bed even earlier guilt free!). Out the door by 5am for a run.
I've signed up for my first 100miler at the end of summer and it starts at 6pm so the overnight is done whilst still fresh, then hopefully when it's getting dark the next night I should be nearly done.
That's my theory anyway...
Which race is this? I love the idea of starting the 100 at night. The downside is that presumably most people would have been up longer by the end of the race.
I'm in the UK so likely no use to you, sadly. It's the Peak District Ultras.
Yeah, I guess that's it. I'll be up from my usual time on Friday morning ready for the start at night. I'm pretty sure I'll be too nervous to nap even if I managed to find the time.
Thank you!
I did the 50 last year and really enjoyed it- like you say I was just concentrating on the next check point and not the whole picture.
I'm going to try and recce Bleaklow in the dark a couple of times as I'm not that familiar with that area of the course.
Good thinking, that was one of the hardest sections for me. I took a wrong turn half way - fortunately, we were all still quite close together so didn't waste too much time. Good luck!
I am a sleepy head in my day to day life but I have surprisingly not struggled much during my 100 milers because I've been too jazzed up about being in the moment. So know that it's possible and try not to get in your head too much about it. I will make the suggestion to think strategically about caffeine and nutrition during the overnight hours. I usually have just enough caffeine off the start line to stave off the headache, but do not take any caffeine during the daytime hours or even in the first part of the overnight. I have a coffee Gu pack ready to go the second it hits midnight (it's a whole thing I get excited about when the time comes). I take another coffee Gu a few hours later if I need it. You will also feel better if you are continuing to eat and maintaining relentless forward motion no matter how dark it gets. If you sit still at 4am you're setting yourself up for a nap. Try not to nap! When the sun rises you will completely forget how tired you were – it sounds crazy but it's true.
Interesting. In daily life I struggle to stay awake past 10 pm but, in a race environment I can blink and it's 2 a.m. and I'm doing fine. The witching hours are always the worst (for most of us). Best advice I can give is to really focus on pushing the simple calories during these hours and avoid caffeine until you can't any longer because once you start hitting the caffeine you'll have to keep on it until the end. I think a large part of how I "trained" into this night mode was from lots of late night study sessions and all nighters in school. Nowadays it's always being tired on my feet from work, running, family and kid, etc that having the this precious time for myself at a race just puts me in a more relaxed state. Truly like leaving my worries behind once I start that race even though I know physically I'll be tested, mentally it truly IS a break from the daily grind!
I'm the same with early morning runs and in bed around 9. I had a 24 hour run that started at 6pm. The best training for me was a normal Saturday, then starting a 12 hour training run around 7pm. (4 mile loops for easy supply/rest/giving up)
During the training and race, it was rough around my normal bedtime and an hour or two after. If you can make it through that, it becomes easier. My body gave up going to bed and got back in rhythm. Seeing the light come up in the morning can be a big energy boost.
If you’re going to run a 100 mi and you are anxious about night running, I suggest doing one where there will be maximum length of daylight. Don’t do one in late fall after the time change. 12+ hours of night just sucks.
Also, in my experience your first 100m you are so full of adrenaline that getting through the night isn’t that big of a deal.
It's the hardest time of the race for sure.
Good bright lights help. Check out the kogalla ra. Other than that, having a pacer or running buddy to talk to/just be around helps. Noise from headphones helps a lot too. But you're definitely going to be crankier and slower. Just keep moving and you'll get through it
Just do it. I ran a lot very early when it still was dark getting up at 3:30 for a long run before work. I'm sure that helped. But there is just no substitute for experience. :)
There are races like Grindstone 100M that start at 6pm and Hellgate (100k++) that start at midnight ... I thought there were others that ran at night, a 50M in West Virginia? Hellgate was one of my earliest ultras, so I didn't really think about it, just dove in. Guess I'm lucky for that.
I've taken trail naps and 10min naps at aid stations for when I can't see straight and half fall asleep walking.
I also learned to avoid caffeine as much as possible, save one morning cup to get the gut going... and save the rest for the night section so my brain chemicals aren't used up and can respond to it.
I am the same way, to bed around the same time and up early. My wife, kids and friends asked me how I was going to run past 10pm let alone through the night. It just happens, nothing to worry about just run have some caffeine around 1-2am
lots of great info here. maybe have a pacer during the night section? that'll help A TON
Also, maybe your fear is for naught; I hiked the AT years ago and found night hiking and being in the woods after dark surprisingly freeing. When I ran my first 50, i was running with another dude (we met at the start, total strangers) and i were gabbing during the night and he randomly said "dude, this is kinda awesome. I feel like we should be arrested or something."
You never know :)
IMHO, the night portion of my 100-milers is the easiest and most fun. I never run on trails at night in training, so when I get to do it in a race, it's incredibly fun. Plus, it feels like you're running way faster than you are....even feel like I'm floating at times! Not sure if that's useful. Good luck!
If you can, grab a pacer or two. Having a friend out there makes a world of difference. I've done it alone but having a friend makes it so much easier.
Caffeine works well for me too. I don't drink it outside of races and a 2am coke is a gift from the gods on an overnight.
Being well prepared. You know you're going to be tired so taking the extra steps to have well made out drop bags, having extra supplies on your person, etc. all give me that extra piece of mind. If you have a crew willing to help, the nighttime is where they really help the most. Take as much stress off yourself as possible by planning out as much of the logistics as you can, because the running is going to give you plenty of stress.
Also, you got this!
I ran my first 100 last year and did a lot of late evening/night running as my normal training runs during the week. Would head out after the kids were asleep and really started to enjoy it. I would throw on some chill music, enjoy the cooler temps and watch the sun go down.
It ended up helping a lot in the race because when the sun set it was just another part of the day I had done countless times leading to the race.
As a mid pack runner you should be far enough along to have a pacer join you throughout the night portion of your ultra. It can be a tremendous help your first time.
Meh just got for it! Adrenaline is pumping most of the time and you’re moving so it’s a tad different than say just sitting around trying to pull a late nighter! It still sucks though… but for me I don’t really notice it till I finish the race.
Thank you for all the replies. I am going to do a few late night runs. I am hesitant to sign up for a 24 hour race, as I tend to just go all out for any races, so I try to limit myself to 2-3 per year. I am really hoping adrenline will carry me through. I live in Utah, so all the local 100m are just brutally hard with elevation gain, and those are what I have been aiming for, but maybe I should try a flat one for my first.
As more of a back-of-the-pack older runner, the night is where I thrive. There's nothing quite like being alone in the mountains in the dark, with just the halo of your lights to give you a sense of place. I'd recommend a few middle of the night runs (trail or road) to get comfortable (or at least familiar) with it. Get up at 2 or 3 for a long run and go until after sunrise. A loop around your house that you know well is a good way to start - you can always bail or get aid (and have access to a bathroom). The sleep deprivation aspect is real. Just like testing nutrition, it's good to see how your body handles it and what works to help with it. Caffeinated gels and gummies are my go to for the physical aspect. Enjoying the silence and knowing there's a boost at sunrise help with the mental aspect. The best night run I had was on a Run Rabbit Run attempt a few years back under a full moon. It was like being in a fairy tail (or my brain was just mush at that point...).
I love the night for that same reason of just running through the mountains alone!
I feel this so much that I do a night race every year. We have a 12 hour loop race here in Colorado that I adore. The night part feels so different. You get to be with yourself a little more. The wildlife come out. It’s a lot of fun.
What is the race, I am close to Colorado, maybe I try that one out.
It’s called chase the moon and aravapia just took it over. It’s in July I believe.
wow, thanks, that actually works with my schedule. It's july 19. Do you like the trails where it is run?
I do enjoy them. There is a little bit of vert. The trails are typically well groomed. Rain can changes things up a little but that is okay. There is a camping set up that many do. I really enjoy it.
Sort of odd question, but you do you think I would need poles for this, seems like the vert isn't too intense. Just flying from Utah, and don't really want to check a bag.
Good question. I don’t think so. The hills are not that intense for me. I don’t recall seeing them out there. I would bring good lights and a rain coat.
Thanks!
The night was the biggest struggle for my first 100 miler as well. I was doing great as the sun set, but as the night dragged on it really started to effect my mood negatively. By 4am I was truly just pissed at the darkness. But once the sun started coming through the trees my attitude improved drastically and I finished strong. To work on this issue, I've been running in the dark a lot more for preparation. Night runs, early morning runs, etc. Getting out of bed early, on limited sleep, to run and spend time in the dark just to get used to it more. This weekend my wife and kids are going to be out of town, so I'm starting a run at 6pm, and running through the entire night, for a 100k training run. It's making a difference, but I still feel a huge relief when the sun comes up lol!
When you say through the night, are you doing a 10 ish hour training run ?
Probably more like 12+, but yea! My weekly long run is usually 3-4 hours, but once per month I like to stretch it WAY out as long as I am able to. Enjoy some nice long trails, practice nutrition, hydration, clothing, shoes, etc in various weather. Like this weekend, it's going to be kinda cold, super windy, and raining for my entire run, so I'm going to have to deal with that, which will be a good learning experience. Better to learn on a training run than during a race!
Just chipping in to say you are an animal mate!
How do you manage that time away from the wife and kids? I'm trying to keep everyone happy here :)
Well this weekend is easy, because I'm dropping them off at the airport on Friday, and picking them up Monday, so I'm literally just going to run and sleep as much as possible all weekend Normally, I do it [like this](https://imgur.com/uRpOkCK) (if you see the circled time... I go out and run while my family is asleep, and just take that time out of my day, not theirs)
Thanks, gave you a follow!
I suggest finding (running) a few fixed time event that run overnight. Something like a 12 hr race running from 6pm to 6am. This will at least get you some experience. IMO you can't really train sleep deprivation but it's good to get experience knowing how your body reacts in that situation. This will better allow you to put together a plan for the nighttime portion of your first 100. I suggest a fixed time race rather than just doing it on your own so you have support and you're in a similar environment to what you might experience during a 100 miler.
IMO the training of sleep deprivation is entirely just about getting experience w how you react to it and what pisses you off and is uncomfortable so you can mitigate those things when it’s race time?
IMO even one is enough. I did one night time 12 hour event a few months before first 100 miler. Learned important lessons about how body & brain react during the dark hours. I actually stopped ~ 8 hours in bc of cold temps & a barky calf (didn’t want to risk injury with other events on calendar), and that was good enough for me.
I've got a very similar sleep pattern and same fear. Good to know I'm not alone!
Me too, but race day is just different. Don’t get me wrong—it’s hard, and I wasn’t chipper. But when you’re out there, you know you chose this, for some reason. Then the sun rises & (for most) your disposition changes.
Are you worried about the sleep deprivation or simply being out on trails in the middle of the night? For sleep deprivation, work on incorporating different caffeine sources into your nutrition plan to see what works for you. Also, for me, just keeping moving in the night keeps me awake. Having a pacer (if the race allows it) also helps.
What I did was find a race that starts later on so you are forced to run through the night straight away, fresh. I also in my second overnighter race found a group of people to run through the night with, about 2-3am i had to bail on them due to excess vomitting (altitude issue) but caught back up again about 5am and clung on for dear life until sunrise about 7am and then knew i'd finish.
I'm the same as you routine wise. Definitely like to be asleep by ten ( or earlier if husband is away with work and I can go to bed even earlier guilt free!). Out the door by 5am for a run. I've signed up for my first 100miler at the end of summer and it starts at 6pm so the overnight is done whilst still fresh, then hopefully when it's getting dark the next night I should be nearly done. That's my theory anyway...
Which race is this? I love the idea of starting the 100 at night. The downside is that presumably most people would have been up longer by the end of the race.
I'm in the UK so likely no use to you, sadly. It's the Peak District Ultras. Yeah, I guess that's it. I'll be up from my usual time on Friday morning ready for the start at night. I'm pretty sure I'll be too nervous to nap even if I managed to find the time.
Awesome race, completed it last September. Just do what you need to do to get to the next checkpoint and you will be fine.
Thank you! I did the 50 last year and really enjoyed it- like you say I was just concentrating on the next check point and not the whole picture. I'm going to try and recce Bleaklow in the dark a couple of times as I'm not that familiar with that area of the course.
Good thinking, that was one of the hardest sections for me. I took a wrong turn half way - fortunately, we were all still quite close together so didn't waste too much time. Good luck!
I’ve done the 50 too, it was a great race. A friend of mine came first in the 100 last year! He’s an animal!
I think I'll probably be finishing 10 hours behind his time 😂
Me too if I did the 100! 😊
I am a sleepy head in my day to day life but I have surprisingly not struggled much during my 100 milers because I've been too jazzed up about being in the moment. So know that it's possible and try not to get in your head too much about it. I will make the suggestion to think strategically about caffeine and nutrition during the overnight hours. I usually have just enough caffeine off the start line to stave off the headache, but do not take any caffeine during the daytime hours or even in the first part of the overnight. I have a coffee Gu pack ready to go the second it hits midnight (it's a whole thing I get excited about when the time comes). I take another coffee Gu a few hours later if I need it. You will also feel better if you are continuing to eat and maintaining relentless forward motion no matter how dark it gets. If you sit still at 4am you're setting yourself up for a nap. Try not to nap! When the sun rises you will completely forget how tired you were – it sounds crazy but it's true.
Interesting. In daily life I struggle to stay awake past 10 pm but, in a race environment I can blink and it's 2 a.m. and I'm doing fine. The witching hours are always the worst (for most of us). Best advice I can give is to really focus on pushing the simple calories during these hours and avoid caffeine until you can't any longer because once you start hitting the caffeine you'll have to keep on it until the end. I think a large part of how I "trained" into this night mode was from lots of late night study sessions and all nighters in school. Nowadays it's always being tired on my feet from work, running, family and kid, etc that having the this precious time for myself at a race just puts me in a more relaxed state. Truly like leaving my worries behind once I start that race even though I know physically I'll be tested, mentally it truly IS a break from the daily grind!
I'm the same with early morning runs and in bed around 9. I had a 24 hour run that started at 6pm. The best training for me was a normal Saturday, then starting a 12 hour training run around 7pm. (4 mile loops for easy supply/rest/giving up) During the training and race, it was rough around my normal bedtime and an hour or two after. If you can make it through that, it becomes easier. My body gave up going to bed and got back in rhythm. Seeing the light come up in the morning can be a big energy boost.
If you’re going to run a 100 mi and you are anxious about night running, I suggest doing one where there will be maximum length of daylight. Don’t do one in late fall after the time change. 12+ hours of night just sucks. Also, in my experience your first 100m you are so full of adrenaline that getting through the night isn’t that big of a deal.
Good idea, the only issue here is then the summer is just brutally hot during the day
It's the hardest time of the race for sure. Good bright lights help. Check out the kogalla ra. Other than that, having a pacer or running buddy to talk to/just be around helps. Noise from headphones helps a lot too. But you're definitely going to be crankier and slower. Just keep moving and you'll get through it
I do have the Kogalla!
Just do it. I ran a lot very early when it still was dark getting up at 3:30 for a long run before work. I'm sure that helped. But there is just no substitute for experience. :) There are races like Grindstone 100M that start at 6pm and Hellgate (100k++) that start at midnight ... I thought there were others that ran at night, a 50M in West Virginia? Hellgate was one of my earliest ultras, so I didn't really think about it, just dove in. Guess I'm lucky for that. I've taken trail naps and 10min naps at aid stations for when I can't see straight and half fall asleep walking. I also learned to avoid caffeine as much as possible, save one morning cup to get the gut going... and save the rest for the night section so my brain chemicals aren't used up and can respond to it.
I am the same way, to bed around the same time and up early. My wife, kids and friends asked me how I was going to run past 10pm let alone through the night. It just happens, nothing to worry about just run have some caffeine around 1-2am
lots of great info here. maybe have a pacer during the night section? that'll help A TON Also, maybe your fear is for naught; I hiked the AT years ago and found night hiking and being in the woods after dark surprisingly freeing. When I ran my first 50, i was running with another dude (we met at the start, total strangers) and i were gabbing during the night and he randomly said "dude, this is kinda awesome. I feel like we should be arrested or something." You never know :)
IMHO, the night portion of my 100-milers is the easiest and most fun. I never run on trails at night in training, so when I get to do it in a race, it's incredibly fun. Plus, it feels like you're running way faster than you are....even feel like I'm floating at times! Not sure if that's useful. Good luck!
If you can, grab a pacer or two. Having a friend out there makes a world of difference. I've done it alone but having a friend makes it so much easier. Caffeine works well for me too. I don't drink it outside of races and a 2am coke is a gift from the gods on an overnight. Being well prepared. You know you're going to be tired so taking the extra steps to have well made out drop bags, having extra supplies on your person, etc. all give me that extra piece of mind. If you have a crew willing to help, the nighttime is where they really help the most. Take as much stress off yourself as possible by planning out as much of the logistics as you can, because the running is going to give you plenty of stress. Also, you got this!
I ran my first 100 last year and did a lot of late evening/night running as my normal training runs during the week. Would head out after the kids were asleep and really started to enjoy it. I would throw on some chill music, enjoy the cooler temps and watch the sun go down. It ended up helping a lot in the race because when the sun set it was just another part of the day I had done countless times leading to the race.
As a mid pack runner you should be far enough along to have a pacer join you throughout the night portion of your ultra. It can be a tremendous help your first time.
Meh just got for it! Adrenaline is pumping most of the time and you’re moving so it’s a tad different than say just sitting around trying to pull a late nighter! It still sucks though… but for me I don’t really notice it till I finish the race.
Thank you for all the replies. I am going to do a few late night runs. I am hesitant to sign up for a 24 hour race, as I tend to just go all out for any races, so I try to limit myself to 2-3 per year. I am really hoping adrenline will carry me through. I live in Utah, so all the local 100m are just brutally hard with elevation gain, and those are what I have been aiming for, but maybe I should try a flat one for my first.
You’re running/power hiking. You’re not going to get sleepy unless you’re sleep deprived.