FKT: Barry Main - Cumberland Valley on the AT (PA) - 2021-12-31

Today I started my run at 02:00 from the Forge Parking Lot in Boiling Springs. I carried my hydration vest with 2.5 liters of water, Boom gels, Untapped maple syrups, my headlamp with 2 extra batteries and headed south on the AT to Center Point Knob (CPK). I circled the monument and headed back down and ran through the darkness, mud, fog, mist, and dodged deer and bunnies along the way to the high point of rim 2. I ensured I made it all the way by running a few meters downhill. I turned around 180 and headed back down through the same conditions back to CPK. Around mile 32 it started to get light out and I put my headlamp in my vest. This raised my spirits and I was able to pick it up a notch. Finally, after 35 miles, another soul was on the AT. I do not know them and they did not support me. Before heading back up to CPK I yelled to the Meatball Gang for motivation, climbed the hill, circled the monument again, and headed back down where I started to smell the barn. I realized I would be able to make it under 6:40 hours if I ran sub 9 minute pace for the last mile and a half and sent it home. When I made it back to the Forge Parking lot I let out a WOOOO and got a nice stare from some fisherman but I don't care. FKT was made. I arrived at 08:39. I cleaned off my shoes in the creek, splashed my face with water, and got dressed so I could have some food at Cafe 101. This was my first unsupported long run and I can say that it is difficult because the pack is very heavy at the start when it is filled with liquid. I'm feeling good and have another FKT in my sights. 2022... Let's do this!