FKT: Lexi Jackson, Mike Conley - Swan Song / Gulf Song Loop (NH) - 2024-07-27

After doing the Swan Song loop last year, Mike and I were hungry for the Gulf Song loop. Doing this less than a month after our White Mountain 100 FKT was definitely risky but we would both just be happy finishing slightly under the current FKT. The temps were a lot hotter than anticipated with hardly any wind above the trees. Trails were a lot drier than when we did Swan Song last year, but certain sections like Buttress Trail and especially the Wamsutta Trail were very overgrown it was hard to see footing at times. Mike and I both lost legs to cheese graters holes created between rocks from erosion and bumped heads on downed trees. The athlete who created the route and was the first one to complete it technically ran a section of the route incorrectly. The first mixed gender team did not follow the Great Gulf trail all the way to the top of Washington, but instead veered off trail to the road than ran Nelson Crag to the top before turning around and going back down Nelson Crag. Thankfully Phoebe had done the route right during her women's FKT and Mike had her route on her watch so we went the correct way as well. It's amazing how fast those first few miles and last few miles are, really makes up for the insanely slow paces going up and down the ravines. This is probably the most bland report I've ever written because I am so mentally and physically exhausted from running two big FKTs in one month. Pizza, soda and caffeine pills pushed us through to a strong finish and my fucked feet that never got a chance to fully heal this month were very happy to take a dip in the river after. Also we only took water from outdoor sources to make this a true unsupported effort! Thanks Mike for being the best teammate and my husband for watching my bitches at home and Ashley for the supportive texts before the start and reminding me to twerk on Washington!