Upper Canyon Edge to MCcune Trail Lollipop
Did the FKT in the supported version. His was second FKT I did on the day. When i pulled into the sugarloaf parking lot there was a van of people form the Wounded Warriors organization who were just finishing up hiking the trails. I asked one of them to stash some water for me so I could go for the supported version and they were happy to help.
Last year when I did the unsupported it was cold out and the trail has a fair amount of snow/slush/ice on it from what I can remember plus it was hard to read where the trail was. Well during this attempt the course was dry and was easily way more readable without navigation, which last year I had to use a lot since it was first time I was on the trail.
Anyway wasn’t sure how legs were going to hold up after my 1st FKT of the day but I had hopes cause I was riding that runners high some. Took off fast. It is flattish to start so got good momentum going and it allowed me to open legs back up quickly. Knowing the course helped. Thought he couple hills did suck and felt rough had to walk a few second on 2 of them. Most notable the first big one right after a straight stretch that has the9- degree left hand turn o the grassy hill climb. Lost momentum from the sharp turn and instant steep incline. The second killer hiller was the steady straight incline on more of a service type trail. Like 4ish miles in. that when legs started fall apart some.
Was able to run more of the downhill switchback area because it was dry. Also didn’t second guess in the big boulder part. Then the last time saver was not missing the righthand turn that takes me back onto the stick part of the lollipop last year I missed turn for maybe 20 years cause snow covered it so I made sure to keep eye out for it.
Once back onto the stick part which is flatter easier way back I turned it on. ended up 1 min 45 seconds ish under last years unsupported attempt so was very happy with that. Last years mistakes benefited me on this attempt.