On October 15, 2023 I set off on my quest to complete the final part of a trilogy of FKT’s on the 343 mile Sheltowee Trace by holding the FKT in each of the three categories and at the same time setting the new overall while going supported. I had a great two person crew supporting me through the duration and a third member who helped out for 2 and half days.
Day zero began at the Northern Terminus at 7:00 am with intentions of completing the trail in 5.5 days. I only intended on a putting in a 51 mile day in to Clear Creek Campground due the later than normal start time for me, and then put the hammer down on the remaining days with 60+ mile each day. I tend to get stomach distress at the end of day 1 and the first half of day two so this easier first day was to help curb this issue. Fortunately, I felt fine all day and even decided to bank an additional 9 miles on day one finishing with 60 miles at route 1274.
Day 1 included the Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge area and the long road walk known as the Heidelburg March and ended the day at the Dunaway house for 58.5 miles.
Day 2 included passing by Turkey Foot, S-Tree, the dreaded off road trails and more road walk before ending at Wildcat Battle Monument for a 55 mile day. Somewhere along the way on day two I injured a ligament on my right leg in the lower shin area near my ankle and this was causing me to walk all the miles with little to no running which was making my time on feet very long. At this point I began to realize that 5.5 days might be out of reach since I could not continue to put in 60+ mile days and I began to refocus on just going sub 6.
Day 3 I stopped in for a quick breakfast at the 49’er diner at I75 and pushed as hard as I could. I was falling off my schedule and my feet muscles were screaming at me all day and night. Slept at Holly Bay Campground on Laurel River Lake after only 39.7 miles. This is when the realization of going sub six days might not happen.
Was on trail at 2:30 am on day 4 for the Cumberland falls section trying to make back up some time. This section is technical but once you get through it there are some much easier miles along the river and up on the road. We stopped at Alum Ford Campground after 43 miles for a quick two hour nap while it thunder stormed. Fortunately, it was so dry out that the trails did not get too muddy and the conditions were still fairly good for pushing hard. Next up was the Rock Creek Ford, the Kentucky Trail, Blue Heron and Peter’s Mnt.
Day 5 we entered Tennessee and stopped for a one hour nap on Divide Rd. after 42 miles with intentions of pushing on the nearly 48 more miles to the end after the rest break. Not long into the final 48 mile push we began to run into participants of the No Business 100 mile race that had started the prior day at 7 am. It was actually a nice little boost to see some other runners on the trail and stopping by a few of their aid stations along the way…gotta love going supported!
Shortly after the 6th day had began we arrived at Bandy Creek Campground, which was a zoo due to a rather large aid station here, and we were now able to pretty accurately know how things were going to shake out with only 23 miles to go.
The final 7 hours felt like an eternity. With only 3 miles remaining, I told my crew that I could bring it on in on my own so that they could get prepared at the finish line for filming everything for my youtube channel. During these final three miles I spent a little time in prayer and reflecting on the previous 6 days. What an amazing feeling it was to round the final turn and see my crew up ahead waiting for me and knowing that this 6 days of sustained misery was about to end…glorious!
YouTube videos and indepth trip report will be added at a later date.
Comments
Strong work out there Jason! I love that you have FKTs in all three categories on this trail.