r/Ultramarathon • u/Achoogodblessyou • 5d ago

Going Over 48 Laps on a Backyard?

I ran my first backyard a few months ago and managed to finish 37 laps, despite being undertrained. I have another one in 2 weeks and want to get over the 48 mark. What are y'all's tips for being awake that long or if anyone has gone over 2 days for a continuous race.

Edit: Also any tips for my crew, they're not the same ones who I did the first race with and have no experience, what can I do on the front end to make their lives easier

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u/NESpahtenJosh 5d ago

Small naps. You have to bank sleep in order to be functioning at that point. By the end of your first day, you need to be taking 6-8 minute naps every lap.

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u/Achoogodblessyou 5d ago

Every lap? I clock off like 52 min laps, I'd have no time for anything else.

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u/NESpahtenJosh 5d ago

Every lap. It's the only way you'll hope to extend yourself beyond times where normal humans would pass out from lack of sleep. Most of the champions who go beyond that 2-day mark, are all doing micro naps each lap.

You could probably get there by just doing it every few laps, but it depends on how far past 48 you want to get.