FKT: Ethan Lucas - Caesar Creek Lake - West Loop (OH) - 2023-08-19

I needed to get in one more long run before Germantown 50k in a few weeks and was looking around at the local FKTs when I noticed no one had established a time for the double loop at Ceasar's Creek. I decided to change that. I started at the Visitor Center parking lot and ran the loop clock-wise, this gets the hilliest section of the loop done in the first 5ish miles. First loop went really good, I kept the effort level super easy and just enjoyed being out on the trails. I got started a bit later than I would have liked so it started to warm up during the back half of loop 1 and I ran out of water right before the end of the loop. First loop time was 2:25. Swapped from a waist pack to a vest with a 2L bladder to make sure I had enough water. I was feeling really good so I picked up the effort and got through the hills in one of my faster times. I got hot crossing the 73 bridge and struggled to cool off, the rest of the loop I focused on maintaining instead of picking it up like I had hoped. I got back to my car at just under 4:45 which was my goal time after loop one. Overall, it was a really nice day on the trails and I am happy to establish a local FKT. I am under no delusions, this is not a very strong FKT but I wanted to get the route created and a time posted so that maybe one of the talented local runners will see it and be inspired to show what a fast time looks like.