Abandoned Turnpike Tunnels FKT
Finished with a time of 2:11:29 so almost 17 minutes under the current FKT.
This was a really bad choice to day. It was between 80-82 degrees. Being the first day when it hit 80 this year and having the sun bake down on me literally took the life right out of me. It really cooked the asphalt as well, making it even feel hotter as the sun beat down on me while the asphalt radiated the heat right back up to me. I knew it was a bad choice but I drove anyhow to attempt this FKT. I was not feeling it even before I started and was already cooking once I stepped out of the vehicle.
I wanted to attempt the FKT and video the trail at the same time, hoping my GoPro would not turn off from the heat. Managed to get it videoed. I only videoed one way because it’s an out and back and nothing different to see on the way back. When I video I tape each step of a course so people have a exact idea, with no guessing what to expect when visiting places or running race courses.
Anyway, I took off way too fast at the jersey barrier start. I made a garmin pace pro plan for 2:20. That was my goal which would put me at 8 minutes 15 seconds roughly because I figured 17 miles. Which is a little overestimated distance wise but I'd rather put in a higher distance time in case I have to step off to go to bathroom or splash water on me from a body of water when I make up garmin pace pros. It also helps by allowing you to shoot for goal time by giving more of a cushion if you need it. While goal was 2:20 which was 8 minutes under the current time I was realistically hoping to get 2:15. To be under that was amazing in the heat.
As I said I took off way too fast I had 6 out of the 1st 8 miles in the 6 min range with one of those miles being under 6 mins. Not sure how the hell I was able to do that. I do run quicker in the heat then cold but I was not trying to run that fast or had any intention of it. That is probably why I was so hot and overheated it was just to quick for me to actually run mid day in the sun and heat. Did not take any fluids till 5 miles in. Tried to conserve it for the way back when I knew I'd be lying on deaths door. The 1st tunnel is 1.5 miles in. The gate which is like .2 from the start is actually open now so you don’t have to squeeze thru it. In between the tunnels I baked. I was like pizza in the oven getting baked so bad. It just zapped energy from my body. I stayed mainly to the far left of the trail way out it wasn’t as sunny plus it appeared to be smoothest place to run way out.
Noticed a spring on side of the long hill heading out and there was a drainage pipe gushing water on the other end of tunnel as well. These were going to be used way back. The short tunnel came and went fast. The long tunnel was a much needed relief way out. It cooled me just enough to survive till the turn around which is at the far end of the trail, also using jersey barrier as a turn around point. At the turn around I took off my GoPro since I was done taping and it was making head even hotter from it putting off hot air. I took off my shorts to save some heat and put them in my pack so just had my 2xu compressions shorts on. Put my waist light away as well. I got little bit cooler by doing those things. I also was carrying a headlamp in my vest pocket, which is what I was going to use on the way back. Did walk for about a minute at the turn around as I stripped down and took quick break. Its uphill till the tunnel on the way back so took it bit easy. I know I made the halfway point under a hour so I had 1 hour 20 mins roughly to do the 8.4ish back so as long as I did about 10 min miles way back I'd be able to get the FKT. That was a huge relief. I thought I could somehow manage that at least as I started back. I know I'd loose some time washing off and most likely taking a walk break a couple times. Once I got to the entrance of the long tunnel I took me hat off dipped it in the wat washed as much of my body off as I could. Also poured a bunch of water over head to cool body down some. Then I started back up. It felt so good in the long tunnel. The water and the temp difference inside saved me for the next mile plus. It allowed me to recoup some, well enough that I wasn’t on death door for time being. At the far end of the tunnel I actually saw some water dipping from ceiling so I stood under that to get recooled off. It was magical. Then as I popped out I went over to side of the hill to the spring I saw and did another quick body rinse and dumped water over body. This water was little cooler so was glad I stopped.
The next couple miles in between the tunnels was once again a struggle. This time even worse than before. Now that energy was going away and pace was slowing, it became a lot harder. Mouth was dry and lips started to get flaky and peely from dehydration. I did try to take sips of the hydration I took with me, but it wasn’t enough to reverse the effects. I couldn’t drink to much in fear of running out. I did walk 2 or 3 times in between the tunnels. Just had to, with legs being tired and running out of energy. Having seen people as I headed out on the far righthand side of the trail between the tunnels going both ways I took that left lane on way back which is the opposite lane I ran on the way out. It did seem to be a little overall smoother for 80% of it then I went back over once it started getting to rough. I know one of my walk breaks was right before I enter the smaller tunnel as I got my headlamp back out. On the way back the headwinds were horrible the whole time. They were bad and was definitely costing me a good 20-30 seconds per mile while wearing me out. Did not notice them on the way out, my back didn’t feel like wind was hitting it but maybe they were there helping me run faster and maybe that’s why I ran so fast way out, who knows, but I know I storm was moving into the are so I think that’s why the wind picked up badly way back. I did do a lot of watch watching way back making sure I wasn’t slowing too much. If I remember correctly the 10 min pace or under was holding up while I was still actually banking time still. With 3 miles left I had 34 minutes to get to the end. Hoped I'd maintain enough to do it. I also think I had 19 minutes once I popped out the small tunnel which is about 1.5 miles left. That’s rough estimate but knew I had plenty of time unless I completely died. Was struggling a ton. Managed to make it to the end with my 2:11:29. Shocked at not only my time but actually making it to the end. There was a real question about being able to finish for most of it. Really did want t just quit, walk it in and try another day with how I felt. Dropped over 6lbs water weight so no wonder I was feeling so bad. Did recover decently once I got changed and drank a fitaid.
This was a super hard FKT for me. I just was not prepared as I should have been to tackle this today. I needed way more fluids then I took. Also with it being the first really hot day I needed to get acclimated more before attempting to run on a open air, sunny, asphalt route in the middle of the day but that’s on me. At least I got it done and survived. If anyone plans on attempting it do it on a colder or shadier day and take more liquids with you.
I've ran the End Of The Road Races on the trail and actually won the marathon, half and 4 miler. Those are held in the October when its cooler, well its always actually cold for those races and they start at the other other end not the Breezewood side of the trail and obviously don’t use the whole trail. So I had a idea what to expect going in but starting opposite end really did have a different fell plus no one there pushing me or any support makes a difference.
I'll have video of the route heading out in a week or so then ill post it in the comments.