I named the run, "Well things got complicated..." because I started this run from the Pa/NJ state line at 3:03 a.m. with plans to set a stout 230 mile record on the PA segment of the Appalachian Trail and I was using it as a training run for something more. This was messy in my mind from the start: go fast, but not fast, hike more, but go fast. When I hike on rocks, I trip and when I trip, I fall into a run. I figured I'd go with flow of the trail and I bounced along northern PA enjoying a run down memory lane from running Nobo in 2021 on the AT. So many rocks, so many memories. (I did miss a turn in the dark in the first 6 miles, but noticed quickly and got back on track.)
The climbs led to flat rocky ridge lines that descend down and then climb back out. Water was scarce on trail and I was happy to be supported but also noted multiple water jugs set out at road crossings and used these once on a longer stretch. The weather was beautiful, perfect dry days with a nice breeze. The rocks were dry and the leaves were crisp and luckily not yet plentiful enough to obscure the trail and smaller rocks. I cruised through Fox Gap, Wind Gap, Smith Gap and Little Gap holding on to 4mph pace, I slowed a bit after, taking my average down 3.8mph, but I climbed, and sometimes slid my way through Wolf Rocks, the Lehigh River descent, Bake Oven Knob, Bear Rocks, and Knife Edge and Hawk Mtn. At Hawk Mountain rd I had Road Soda coming to pace me and a visit from Yard Sale and Crazy Hair who'd brought be a cheeseburger, fries and a chair! I sat and enjoyed their company before taking off to make it Port Clinton to cap off day 1, taking a little bit of backlash because 77 miles was a big first day.
I ascended the Pinnacle and Pulpit rock and met up with Road Soda there on trail and we hiked with moderate effort and lots of chatting all the way to Port Clinton. That's it for that section. Things got complicated beyond that point and my mind weakened and failed me, I ended my run at almost exactly 100 miles into PA. Because I started before and after this Route's specific start/ finish I am hoping FKT can use their mapping tech to figure out what my exact time actually was. I had a lot of fun on the rocks but mentally I was digging a hole I didn't know I couldn't climb out of. Grateful I pushed for the higher miles and capped off this route with a Female attempt.