A method of sequencing a template nucleic acid, the method comprising: (a) executing a sequencing cycle comprising (i) extending a complementary polynucleotide that is hybridized to the template nucleic acid by incorporating a first nucleotide using a polymerase; and (ii) detecting a characteristic signature indicating that the first nucleotide has been incorporated; (b) extending the complementary polynucleotide in a plurality of dark cycles, wherein each dark cycle comprises contacting the complementary polynucleotide with a solution, herein termed dark solution, comprising one or more nucleotides, wherein at least one nucleotide comprises a reversible terminator moiety which nucleotide is the same nucleotide type in the plurality of dark cycles, and extending the complementary polynucleotide by one or more nucleotides from the dark solution using the polymerase, without applying a detection process to identify nucleotides incorporated during the dark cycle; wherein each dark cycle terminates with the addition of a nucleotide comprising a reversible terminator moiety and the reversible terminator moiety of the nucleotide is then removed to allow initiation of the next dark cycle or a sequencing cycle of step (c); and (c) executing a sequencing cycle comprising (i) extending the complementary polynucleotide by incorporating a second nucleotide using a polymerase; and (ii) detecting a characteristic signature that identifies the second nucleotide, thereby sequencing a template nucleic acid. (a) executing a sequencing cycle comprising (i) extending a complementary polynucleotide that is hybridized to the template nucleic acid by incorporating a first nucleotide using a polymerase; and (ii) detecting a characteristic signature indicating that the first nucleotide has been incorporated; (b) extending the complementary polynucleotide in a plurality of dark cycles, wherein each dark cycle comprises contacting the complementary polynucleotide with a solution, herein termed dark solution, comprising one or more nucleotides, wherein at least one nucleotide comprises a reversible terminator moiety which nucleotide is the same nucleotide type in the plurality of dark cycles, and extending the complementary polynucleotide by one or more nucleotides from the dark solution using the polymerase, without applying a detection process to identify nucleotides incorporated during the dark cycle; wherein each dark cycle terminates with the addition of a nucleotide comprising a reversible terminator moiety and the reversible terminator moiety of the nucleotide is then removed to allow initiation of the next dark cycle or a sequencing cycle of step (c); and contacting the complementary polynucleotide with a solution, herein termed dark solution, comprising one or more nucleotides, wherein at least one nucleotide comprises a reversible terminator moiety which nucleotide is the same nucleotide type in the plurality of dark cycles, and extending the complementary polynucleotide by one or more nucleotides from the dark solution using the polymerase, without applying a detection process to identify nucleotides incorporated during the dark cycle; wherein each dark cycle terminates with the addition of a nucleotide comprising a reversible terminator moiety and the reversible terminator moiety of the nucleotide is then removed to allow initiation of the next dark cycle or a sequencing cycle of step (c); and (c) executing a sequencing cycle comprising (i) extending the complementary polynucleotide by incorporating a second nucleotide using a polymerase; and (ii) detecting a characteristic signature that identifies the second nucleotide, thereby sequencing a template nucleic acid.