Decided to give the route I posted another try. My first attempt was a fine effort but I knew I could do much better. I had 53 minutes of non moving time and I really was not pushing that hard. I was moving quick but also show casing the route and getting pictures and video.
John Haak set a new FKT a few weeks after me of 4:02:??. He actually ran 3.3 miles farther due to his first time on route, navigation issues and not being familiar with the landscape. I know eventually he will be back and get in a shorter route and better his time and hopefully set a new FKT.
This FKT has allowed us to chat about the route and we will continue to try and get others out there to experience it. It is such a marvelous place to run/experience. I suggest doing it slow first to just check it out and get your bearings. I have done it 7 times total and 3 times this year.
I left Sioux Falls at 5:30 am. Drove to start and got going by 9:46 am Mtn time. I live over 300 miles from the route. I was gone a total of 14 hours from home. 8.5 hours were driving. 3.5 were running. The rest was getting ready and stops for breaks/food. I got back home at 7:30 pm CST.
I met Michael Zimmy at start. He is from South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He is doing a story about FKT in SD and Badlands. He actually got some photos of me running at the start. Here's a link to the story: https://www.sdpb.org/blogs/rural-life/the-fastest-known-time-community-…
I took off from TH at a blistering pace for me. I ran first 2 miles in 14:33. I was hoping this would not hurt me later. I think it may have as the last 4-5 miles we’re a real struggle and I had a hard time moving as fast as I wanted. I got to the top of Deer Haven with out incident. I picked a different route than my first attempt. I was able to ask John Haak how he moved so quickly on the North side of Deer Haven. He said he stayed in creek bed. I had got up on the banks last time and tried to stay higher. His suggestion worked great. This will only work when it has been dry. I did get out of the creek a little sooner than last time and this seemed to work well.
I made it through the Sage Creek Area quickly and got to where the route opens up more. I did take a slightly different line this time. I was trying to keep my path as straight as possible and not weave around so much which is easier said than done. I was pretty much able to accomplish this and felt strong. I did see a very large Ram and 2 mule deer bucks. Nature is so cool. I also at one point felt as if I was running with the deer as they kept bumping ahead of me.
Eventually I got to the far end and started the turn to the South into the Tyree Basin. I felt I could straighten my line here also. I suggest staying out farther to the West and find a line that takes you to the South side of Sage Creek pass. This is pretty much running in the grass/weeds which always feel as if they are pulling at your feet. You may find a Buffalo trail to follow but sometimes these don’t keep you going the way you want.
I saw the grave site of Howard and Eugene Tyree again but did not get as close as last time. To save time I continued past. I did stop at Visitor center and asked about the grave site. I was told that the park service does not maintain it and leaves it as is. It is a historic site. They said the family might take care of it. I might research this more to see if I could help them.
I continued down Sage Creek Pass and started heading East. I was feeling lower at this point and was starting to struggle. My legs were feeling heavy and I was getting hot. I made a 5 minute stop and took off my long sleeve shirt. That was a game changer. I still felt bad but at least I was cooler. It was upper 50’s to low 60’s this day. Winds were to pick up about 1 pm. The wind did pick up at that time but fortunately it was at my back pushing me. I had hoped I would time the wind right and it was perfect. I felt as if God was blowing me along to the finish!
The last miles were the hardest. At one point I felt I could go under 3:30. That was my new goal but it felt as if it might be slipping away. My stomach was starting to feel bad and my legs just wanted me to walk. I did a little jog-walk which helped me recover. I did the last miles quick enough to come in at 3:27:08. My first effort was 4:58, so over 1hr 30 min improvement. I am so happy with the day and how I did. I never imagined being able to go that quick. I had told John Haak that I was hoping to just squeeze in under his FKT time.
I am dedicating this FKT to Andy Hille. I know him from church. He is near my age(50) and was recently diagnosed with cancer. He is having his own battle and I wanted to go out and battle for him. He is a great guy and when he shared this horrible news with us at church, it got me to set an appointment for a physical and more than likely my first colonoscopy!! See I’m pretty healthy and I have not been to Dr. for past 5 years. It’s important to take care of ourselves so we can continue to do the things we live for. So get that appointment set and do the right thing! Do I want to have a colonoscopy-No! But I will do it due to Andy.
What a great day. I saw the sunrise/set. I saw lots of wildlife. I experienced a perfect weather day. I pushed myself harder than I thought I could. I set an New FKT. God is good! He has blessed me so many times so far in my life. I will continue to do what I can to honor that.
If you are looking for a great route-give this a try. If anyone wants to talk through the route let me know. Text/call to 605 360-9658. It was a great joy to me that John Haak decided to try it. It is my hope other will as well and this will help me connect with other like minded people.
I took a small running pack. I had about 16 oz water and 40 oz of Tailwind. I ate 2 Hammer gels and 3 figs. I did listen to music the entire time. I had on a baseball hat, short(polyester)and long sleeve shirt(merino), Russell shorts, Walmart compression socks(black), Old worn out Altra Timps, light weight gloves which I mostly wore at the beginning. I never imagined I would be out there in December in SD. Normally it is much colder and we have snow.
This was the year of the FKT for me. I set 4. Two on Centennial Trail in SD and two on Sage Creek Wilderness Loop in Badlands NP. Such a surprise to be doing this. I had never started out thinking about this until after I hiked the Centennial Trail with friends and family in June 2020.
Take care and if you made it this far-thanks!
Lance