This FKT has been years in the making, but also came together literally overnight. My friend Emily and I first looked up Shannon's FKT during a backpacking trip years ago. "This is a great trail! I wonder how fast someone could run this!" Answer: 8 hours, 15 minutes.
I have been training since January for this, only sometimes believing it would happen. My first stop was the Flying Pig marathon in Cincinnati on May 4th, which was a good indicator that I was at least kinda ready for this (besides losing a toenail and almost throwing up from too many GU packets). But, I was planning on June 19th!
On the evening of May 31st, I booked a shelter at Wolfkiel at the Oil Creek State Park because I was in the area anyway for a friends 50th birthday party (where an alpaca kissed me on the mouth! Life goal achieved.). My friend Sarah and I were looking at the weather forecast, and noticed that the temps were supposed to be in the high 30's/low 40's overnight with a high of 65 the next day (June 1st). The comment was made: "That would be amazing weather for the FKT!" And, the plan was set into motion...
I camped overnight at Wolfkiel shelter #3 with my new alpaca blanket. With what service I had, I called my husband and convinced him to drive 5-hours roundtrip to stage himself down in Rouseville or Petroleum Center as my what-if-something-goes-wrong safety backup. We didn't meet along the trail; he didn't leave anything for me; he didn't take any pictures (he arrived well after I started and had to leave before I finished); he just followed along mile-by-mile online and texted me along the way! A true angel.
I parked my Rav4 at the Jersey Bridge area and started out a little later than planned at 6:37am because that porta-john was calling my name. The first couple of miles were confidence-boosting but the 5,400+ feet of elevation gain starts adding up quickly! I power hiked most of the inclines and ran the rest, stopping every now and then to make my mark in a journal or take a picture of a pink lady's slipper (a bucket list flower for me) or the eft stage of an Eastern Newt (cutest little guy). The weather was as advertised (started around 43 degrees and finished around 65) but the trail was pretty sloppy with spring rain. My shoes are definitely in need of the garden hose...
This was grueling!!! My first marathon was less than a month ago, and I had never run an ultramarathon before. But, when I watched Shannon's video, it made me want to give this a try. She really brought us along with her, and seemed to be having so much fun along the way!
My gear included:
- Smartwool merino wool T-shirt and socks
- Shorts leggings
- Pearl Izumi high-viz jacket
- Topo Athletic MTN Racers
- Salomon Active Skin 12 vest (+ 2 soft water bottles)
- Territory Run Co. Long Haul run belt (+ 1 soft water bottle)
- Garmin Instinct watch (for primary tracking)
- Garmin 67i handheld (for emergencies and backup tracking)
- Cell phone
- Anker charging block + USB-C and Garmin watch cables
- Snacks: Honey Stinger waffles (2), Huma energy gels double electrolytes (4-5), UnTapped maple syrup gel (3-4), Belvita bar (ick.... SO DRY), Nuun tablets
The honorable mention of this FKT attempt was the Cow Run shelter. By then, I had a bloody nose (stuffed with leaves - this always happens to me) and no water so I was crossing my fingers and toes that there would be water left for little ol' me. And there was!! And the trail goes within feet of the water station so there is absolutely no excuse to not refill no matter how tired those old bones are. It was a godsend.
I would also be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that, although this was an "Unsupported" attempt, I had loads of support before/during/after. Emily, for dreaming up this big adventure years ago and making me think it was possible. My "Stinkies" clan for their encouragement along the way and belief in me. Sarah, for giving me the nudge when the weather forecast beckoned and once again making me think that I had it in me. My family, for not talking me out of my past or recent schemes. Josh, of course, for breaking the cardinal rule that you should stay somewhere at least as long as it will take to drive there/back... And for understanding that no, I could not see his lovely bearded face because that "Unsupported" qualifier meant so much to me. And all of the other hooligans who have let me talk about this ambition since Shannon set the bar 5 years ago. Shannon - I hope you are still out there running and that you beat this record in no time!! I can't say I'll be coming back for more, but you deserve it. Thanks for giving me something to strive for.
Go placidly, my friends.
- Hannah
(Trail name: REM)
Comments
Yeah Hannah!