The night before a marathon can be a sleepless one for many runners.  You're keyed up, worried or excited about the race, wondering what key item you might forget to bring to Hopkinton.  You're sleepless for worry... and then worried about not sleeping.

RELAX.

1976 Boston Marathon Champion Jack Fultz, who coaches the Dana Farber Marathon team, says the most important night to sleep is actually the night BEFORE the night before the marathon.

"Actually, the whole week before the marathon, it's important to get to bed early," says Fultz.  And, sorry nightowls, but Fultz says sleeping in isn't as recuperative as turning in early.  "Think of rest as preparation for the next day.  By going to bed earlier, you're better prepared when the alarm goes off."

If you've had a week of good rest, a little sleeplessness the night before the marathon is no big deal.

In case you're wondering, Jack slept "just fine" the night before he won the big race in 1976.