Today (9/25) I set out on the south end of the Taconic Crest Trail and headed North. My wife dropped me off at the start and I began my run shortly after 7am. I carried 2L of water with me in a vest along with 12 gels. It was mildly windy with partly sunny skies and starting temps, according to my car, was 38 degrees. I wore orange short tights (being hunting season) and a long sleeve Janji shirt and the Brooks Catamount trail shoes, along with a Black Diamond vest.
The first 12 miles was the most laid back part of this run. The goal for this section was 2:05. Early on I ran into a women hiking, she was off trail picking up a mylar balloon when I passed her. Around mile 4 or 5 I could hear a large creature below me, it was either a deer or a bear. It sounded like a bear, I see them often on this trail. I made it to Berry Pond (highest pond in Ma) feeling really good and happy knowing that most of the next part is downhill. The unfortunate part of this section was that a motorized dirt bike went on this trail and destroyed some parts. Felt very in control heading down towards Hancock village and very relaxed. Derek met me on Potter Mountain Rd. and grabbed my water bottles then met me at the parking lot on Madden Rd. I was able to grab a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, some Coke and filled water bottles. Derek ran with me for the next 0.6 miles uphill until the trail turned back into the woods. I knew these next ~16 miles were going to be tough, especially the next 5 miles. 1800 feet of climbing these next 5 miles. I tried not paying attention to my pace knowing I'll make up for the slow miles on down hill or flat sections. Once I got through those 5 miles I had some flatter sections and came across what I thought was a solid piece of ground, turns out it was solid mud up to above my ankles. Thankfully no shoe issues. I did fall three times in this section(which is unlike me) and a tree sort of attacked me which left me with a little gash on the front of my leg. Up to this point I was able to run most of the up hills. As I got to Mt. Misery and then Berlin Mountain(such pretty views at the top) I needed to hike up them. I needed to preserve my downhill legs considering the last 8 miles had a lot of downhills and that was how I was going to get this FKT. Once to the top of Berlin Mountain I flew the next ~3 miles to Petersburg pass where I met my wife and friend Josh F. I got there at about 5:12 which was within my goal range. I was shooting for 5:05-5:15. I downed a bottle of water (I ran out of water about 4 miles from Petersburg pass, I think it got warmer faster than I anticipated) took some gels, grabbed my 2, 1 Liter bottles and off Josh and I went to finish up the trail.
I needed to hike up the initial climb towards White Rocks but was able to move on the flats and downs. This section of the trail is so nice, it feels like a well maintained trail. We eventually passed the snow hole and come to find out neither Josh nor I had ever been. From about 4 miles out from the finish I kept on doing the math to make sure I was going to break the record. It was going to be a bit closer than I wanted it to be (my original goal is 6:30) but as long as I kept moving forward I was going to make it. It was really nice having Josh to run with, we talked a good chunk of the time which made this section go by fairly quickly. My legs were starting to yell at me and the downs where taking their toll but I pushed enough to get the FKT! I feel a total of 8 times on this run.
My wife was at the finish to pick me up!
This trail is relentless with climbing, it never stops. Its a lot like death by a thousand cuts.
My favorite part of the trail was on the South side of Berlin Mountain, the pine forest is gorgeous!