Started at reedy creek entrance and tried to prioritize the single track trails over the larger and easier to run multi use trail. Of the first 16ish miles All were on single track and I finished the single track by mile 26 (I think) so that I could just cruise on the multi use trail until the end of the run.
I think this is the way to go as all of the single track requires much more effort than the multi use.
Carried like 7 bars of food and a water bottle full of pickles in addition to 2 liters of water. Refilled twice, once at a stream in the company mill trail right next to the bridge (it’s good water) and once from the horse fill line at mile 32ish.
Lastly I may have cut off the top bit of the company mill trail,but I’m not sure. I hope it does not make my run unofficial as the part of what may be the company mill trail can more accurately be described a picnic table loop right next to the park g lot.My argument on why my run should count is this
1.I stopped at a sigh saying “company mill trail” and there were no more blazes from the shelter to the parking lot.
2. The umstead website says the company mill trail has only “natural” surfaces and the picnic table loop is a gravel lined pathway
3. there are no blazes from the shelter (where I decided the trail ends) to the parking lot, where as they are abundant everywhere else on the company mill trail
Anyways, to anyone planning the umstead FkT I would strongly suggest my route in the future as it allowed me to keep my speed up in the final 10 miles when my legs were the most sore
[Editor's Note: I added a rough illustration showing the discrepancy]