Interview with Iris Rebek
22 November 2025
Written by: Tadej Maligoj ✍️
On the third UTVV training run, we headed out in the late afternoon, just as the sun was slowly dropping toward the edge of the Vipava Valley. Runners did one last gear check before setting off into the dark to look for that special magic of the night.
With us was Iris, one of the training leaders and a trail runner who this year completed her first one-hundred-mile race, with everything that comes with it — including sleepless nights in the wild.
Iris, many beginners are afraid of the dark. How did you overcome that initial fear?
“Suddenly something rustles and cuts across my path, I stop, for a moment a pair of glowing eyes stares at me… and then it runs off — a deer. In my imagination, it was at least a bear, ha-ha-ha. My heart rate went up to 500, and I had to sit down for a minute before I was able to continue.
Oh yes, I was afraid! Here on the Karst, there’s a lot of wildlife: deer, does, jackals, wild boar… A healthy fear makes you alert. Once you get through it, you become stronger. When I feel I’m sliding into panic, I use short mantras — ‘keep going, nothing is wrong,’ or I turn on a podcast. I’ve listened to yours quite a few times on night runs.
Before I actually ran in the dark, I had no idea what it would be like. I worried about everything: will I see enough, what happens when sleepiness hits, what if I meet an animal… Training the dark, the night, is essential when you decide to run an ultra. To see in advance what awaits you. At least a few night sessions — in summer, in spring when the temperature drops, by the sea under the stars, under a full moon.
Darkness doesn’t have to be scary; it can be magical. At first stick to familiar routes, so you’re not also stressed about navigation. Silence. Stars. Lights in the distance. An owl. Cool air in summer. In winter, a full moon on snow. And when dawn begins to break… that is one of the most beautiful things you can experience on the trail. Especially in good company.
Sometimes it’s completely different. A cold, windy, wet night. Especially if you’re alone in the dark. You have to learn how to be alone in the dark, because you can also end up alone during a race. In those moments, I tell myself it will pass — and it really always does. These are adventures not everyone dares to go on. When you survive a night out in nature, you’re a different person.
I’ve done quite a few long night runs. K24 with Sebastjan and Anja, where I ran through an entire night for the first time. Winter solstice on Nanos, summer equinox around Vremščica, a long night run from Solkan via Sveta gora to Batuje. And the Parenzana from Sečovlje to Poreč at night with Anja. Crazy! These night experiences gave me a huge amount of confidence when I proved to myself that I’m capable of something like that. Night wanderings leave a deeper mark, even though you actually see less.”
Which pieces of gear really make a difference at night?
“Everything that the night is missing compared to the day. A good headlamp with full batteries, spare batteries, maybe even a backup light. A watch with navigation. A map on your phone with a full battery. A bit more spare clothing — a wind jacket, gloves and a hat, first aid kit with an emergency blanket. If you’re running on roads, a reflective vest or band so you’re more visible. No need to overcomplicate it, it just has to be functional. The layout of your gear is important too, so nothing essential falls out into the darkness when you’re digging through your pack for a piece of chocolate.
For the first night experiences, I suggest runners don’t choose unknown or overly technical routes where they’d be worried about getting lost. If you’re a real beginner, that’s just unnecessary stress. Find someone to go with you; it’s safer in pairs. Or join a night UTVV training, of course! The last session, which took place at night, was really beautiful. Despite the cold, the bora wind and the mud on the trail, we overcame everything and had a great time.”
How different is running at night because of sleep deprivation?
“You’re usually slower, which is normal. But interestingly, because I can’t see it, I sometimes run uphill more easily, as I don’t know how much I still have left. But strange things do happen. During K24, near Črna, I saw a cyclist in white who wasn’t there. In the 100-miler, I saw houses that didn’t exist. I’ve also completely shut down while running. That happens when you’re very tired. Toward the end of a long run, crises always come, whether it’s day or night, although exhaustion is even harder to overcome in the dark.
A short break, a 5–10 minute power nap at most — otherwise I might just stay there. A bit of water on my face, a quick energy shot. I force myself to put some food and drink into my mouth, even when it’s hard to swallow. Food keeps me upright. If you don’t get it down, you’re quickly out of power. The more tired I am, the more I repeat to myself, ‘Come on, keep going, you’re moving, you’re moving!’ And with those steps, the dark thoughts evaporate, and you find motivation for the next climb again.
Talking helps a lot — I often run with Sebastjan, and that keeps me awake. During this year’s race, it was also great when, during the night, the kids and friends called me and gave me extra energy. That was so welcome, and I’m really grateful to them.”
What did the night-time 100-miler teach you about yourself?
“That I’m a bit different. That I dare. I no longer think, ‘Can I do it?’ Because now I know I can. That I’m able to force my body to move for two nights in a row. I’m grateful for that. Grateful for the experience I often remember and relive. Every night run is a new story. And the feeling afterwards is phenomenal.”
What advice do you give to someone who is flirting on their first night out?
1. Equip yourself with a reliable light and enough power for all your devices.
2. Adjust your pace — at night, you’re not chasing records, you’re saving energy.
3. When you start to fade, focus on positive thoughts that make the night feel less dark.
