This is almost certainly the harder direction to go, but I didn't realize at the time that there weren't east-west variations except on longer distance FKTs. In any case, if you think you might be close to the time, this might be better than trying to spring across the dam with all the people there. One benefit of this direction is that there are more food options closer than if you end at the dam, though there is a convenience store not far from the dam. Also, if you are driving currently you can't park at the Fernbrook entrance. Dam parking does cost, but there is street parking just outside the dam.
This was a supported venture. I dropped off a bottle with a friend and got a bottle. Borderline self-support, since he didn't actually hand me the bottle, and he didn't really spectate except in that one shaded place where he was making sure no one stole my cached bottle. I did basically finish both bottles though, so I am glad I had two, and I've definitely had bottles taken before. This is a very active trail. Unless your bottles are well-hidden, people are going to see them. I suspect most people don't sweat as much as I do, and one bottle would be enough, at least on a day with cooler temps like today.
Going into the run, I knew going in that the wind was likely to be strong. It was at times, but trees blocked it most of the time. There was no rain in the forecast, but it did rain just a bit. Really, even though the temps were cooler than they have been, the rain was welcome to cool things off. Plus, we need the rain.
After the FKT, I ran to a coffee shop. That is included, in the verification files. The time listed is my 10-mile time, which is what the original post says is the trail distance, and it seems to the eye-ball about correct. I can certainly chop one or both of the verification files if needed.
Going into the run, I knew I would need to PR my 10-mile or come close to beat the half-way point of the out-and-back. I did that, plus I PRed my 15k and had my second fastest 10k. After the FKT, I also PRed my 20k and half-marathon. All-in-all, it was a good day for a run. My friend really enjoyed biking on the Rush Creek trail and the surrounding trails, so perhaps I will have the opportunity to go back and attempt the out-and-back FKT.
No pictures largely because there was a bit of confusion about start and end time and I needed to just get going by the time I actually did.
There's basically zero chance that this is the actual fastest time on this course. I am not a fast runner. I also had some navigational struggles, so weather permitting, I should personally be able to best this time rather easily. That said, the longest Strava segment on the course is only 4.42km, so I can't easily verify that there is a faster time. Thus, until someone submits something else, it will be the fastest *known* time. I hope that by submitting this attempt that will encourage more people to run this trail and get involved in the local FKT scene.
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I went back and made a Strava segment at the slightest of nudges from the FKT Midwest regional editor. It turns out that this is, in fact, the fastest known time (you know, based on exactly two sources of known times). I still find it hard to believe. In any case, I am going to have to significantly improve my 30km time to get out-and-back. The elevation gain is going to be around a quarter of what my current 30k PR is, so it might be doable now that I know the course. Likely to be a razor's edge in either direction.