It should be first noted that the time I submitted for the FKT here is the elapsed time from when I started and stopped my watch at the TH, not the round trip Strava segment which is indeed off by a bit and shortens the route for some reason.
This was my 17th time on Dana and first time giving it a solid push since I set the FKT in 2021! I was originally going to train and plan to attempt this FKT again in September but since I was up in Tuolumne already, I wanted to just give it a go to benchmark my fitness level if anything. Not to mention, I had seen just a week prior that another badass chica, Krissy Harclerode, had pushed the FKT another minute faster (!!), which really lit a fire under my butt even more to give Dana a shot. I drove up from LA late on Thursday night and attempted this early on Saturday morning. I did not feel nearly as mentally nor physically prepared for this attempt as I wanted but I came to terms with the fact that I'll probably always feel this way.
I started my watch at the trailhead at the Tioga Pass entrance and pushed as hard as I could to get to the summit with the goal up summiting in under an 1:05:00. When I realized I was going to be slower than that goal, I decided to let the Kraken loose on the downhill and see if I could make up the necessary difference on the descent. I got lucky but, I'm not gonna lie, this effort was probably the hardest I had pushed myself... ever! Those who know me know that this is my favorite mountain to push myself on and it feels so good to have the record on Dana again. So grateful for the fast ladies who set the FKT before this and pushed me to run this mountain faster than I ever have before.
Tip for the next fast lady to attempt this FKT: Trekking poles are a game-changer for this route if you are confident and comfortable with using them. I have never not used poles on Dana and not only do they save your joints on the downhill, your arms can help put in some of the work on the climb!