Anton Krupicka: spotlight on the NAO and his trail running pack

Running like the wind, completely immersed in the wilderness, pushing one’s limits, for all of these reasons and many more Anton Krupicka became a runner. As one of the world’s top ultra trail runners, Anton share’s his experience running at night with the NAO headlamp and REACTIVE LIGHTING technology, as well as what he puts in his pack.

When did you start running, what do you feel your biggest/most significant victories and accomplishments have been?

I started running in 1995 when I was 11 years old. I started running in the mountains when I attended Colorado College (CC) in Colorado Springs, and I started racing in the mountains in 2006, after I graduated from CC. I've won the Leadville 100 twice, and been the 50 mile trail national champion twice.

What does trail running mean to you? Why do you run?

The mountains are my most reliable means for experiencing contentment and well-being.

You've tested the NAO and REACTIVE LIGHTING technology—what do you think? And why is this technology an improvement for trail runners?

I was genuinely surprised by the NAO when I first began using it. REACTIVE LIGHTING technology allows for unprecedented battery life - I can run all night on a single charge - while still offering abundant lumens for when you need them most. No more disposable batteries, no more fumbling with changing these batteries in the dark; really, it's a huge improvement over existing lighting systems for mountain adventures.

What are some important things to consider (for safety, performance, etc.) when running in the dark??

For me, I find that if I don't concentrate on remaining alert, it is easy to get lulled into sleepiness and complacency when staring into the same bubble of light for hours on end. To combat this, I try to remain engaged by constantly being aware of my surroundings and frequently lifting my head to scan the path several dozen of meters ahead, instead of just focusing on the trail right in front of me. Conveniently, REACTIVE LIGHTING technology in the NAO headlamp assists with this process because when I lift my head to anticipate the upcoming terrain or trail the light automatically boosts, giving me an even better view. Traditional constant lighting requires either manually boosting the beam when looking into the distance or simply running without that perspective.

What is the most beautiful course you've ever run?

In terms of race courses, the Lavaredo Ultra Trail 119K in the Cortina area of the Dolomites and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 168K (UTMB) circumnavigating Mont Blanc top the list. The Hardrock 100 course in Colorado's San Juan Mountains is right up there, too.

What is in your pack for a trail ultra?

Most long European races have a list of mandatory gear, so that is a pretty big determining factor in what I carry. Standard gear includes:

1. Long tights,
2. An extra BUFF,
3. A lightweight wind shell with hood,
4. A breathable long-sleeve t-shirt,
5. Lightweight gloves,
   
   All of the above items are for adapting to the typically fast-changing mountain weather, especially at high altitudes.
    
6. The Petzl NAO headlamp: my go-to lighting system for running,
7. A backup NAO battery, fully charged: I've never needed it, but when running all night you want to be sure to have a back-up,
8. The Petzl e+LITE with an extra battery: at only 27g it's silly to not bring some emergency insurance,
9. Ultimate Direction half-liter water flasks (2): flasks are easier to fill than hydration bladders, both at aid stations and streams,
10. Ultimate Direction AK Race Vest: this is the pack I use to carry all of this. It only weighs 5oz, but is big enough to carry all of these essentials for a long mountain race; it never bounces or chafes, so I barely notice it,
11. GU energy gels: it depends on how far it is between aid stations, but I typically plan for 2-3 gels per hour of racing.

That's pretty much it!!