Ashly Winchester and I were supposed to hike the JMT together last summer and after I fractured my femur we pivoted to a shorter trip in Washington that the orthopedist was less concerned about. On our way home she pointed out Maryville Stonehenge and told me about the silliest FKT she’d ever done. I vowed to come back and do it once my hip healed and I could run again.
Today wasn’t supposed to be that day, but I was driving by and had just wolfed down some old gas station chicken tenders and jojos in the Dalles and made the decision within about 60 seconds to pull over at the Stonehenge, change my clothes in the parking lot, get out of the car and start running before I could change my mind.
So I was fueled but also felt like I was going to throw up partway through. I didn’t carry or stage anything since it was under an hour and parked across the parking lot so I wouldn’t be tempted to grab water and be self-supported.
I changed directions once, at Ashly’s recommendation. Other visitors were definitely curious. The wind made it challenging. The scenery was very nice. I tried to count as I went and lost count, made sure to go over 100 by a few I thought, ended with 107.
Thanks Ashly for being an inspiring athlete and even more stellar friend.