Lake Apopka Circumnavigation FKT Women’s unsupported FKT attempt
Race report:
I started at the intersection of Fullers Cross and the WOT right at 6am and headed for a short stint on the WOT before a few miles through Ocoee on sidewalks. I had plenty of lights, so the 4 miles went by quickly!
I got to Magnolia Park around dawn and was treated to a beautiful sunrise on the Lake Apopka Trail! Saw lots of birds waking up, and beautiful painted skies! I think it was too cold for gators, so they must have been cozy in their dens! The trail was lovely and the chilly but sunny weather was perfect. I stopped briefly at the pump house for a pit stop. This part is the most scenic and was so enjoyable. I got to Green Mountain overlook (about 21 miles!) and took a 10ish minute pit stop to get food, water, facilities, etc.
The next section was road miles through Clermont and Montverde. This wasn’t my favorite, as there really wasn’t a shoulder or sidewalk for the majority of it. When I could, I used pavement shoulder or grass to give space between me and the cars. I was relieved to arrive at Killarney station and back on my beloved West Orange Trail! I filled half a bottle with water before carrying on.
One last pit stop at the Oakland station before realizing that if I kept moving well I could make sub 8h! So I cruised through my favorite sections of the WOT, and a busy DTWG! As I got closer, I was back on my terrain and I knew every mile marker. I kicked up the speed for the last 0.5, and made it just under 8h!
It was a great day and I’m so happy!