I began the route from the Northern end of Michaux State Forest at 4:30am and took off down the trail, which was frozen solid making it a great running surface early on. I ticked of the dark miles smoothly, still averaging 5mph easily and happy with my nutrition plan thus far. I had the best view of the gorgeous sunrise! I filled up my filter bottle early around mile 8 or so and I tried to "camel it" - I drank as much as I could and carried it half full sipping on it as long as it lasted. I knew the entire middle section of the run would be dry so I had barely touched my hydration bottles filled at my chest, just a few sips here and there at the start.
Around 15 miles when I went to drink my electrolyte drink I couldn't as the bottle top was frozen solid so I had to pause and open the lid to drink the slushy mixture. Not thinking more about it I shoved it back into my vest and kept running. By 20 miles I was averaging a 4.9mph pace and kept on cruising. There was a lot of ice on the road crossings mostly, some on the trail and a few slick downhills that I was glad I'd brought my poles. At 20 miles after another ice slushy stop I decided to place my bottle in the pocket of my pants hoping my body heat would thaw the liquid, but the next time I looked down the bottle was gone. I'd lost a perfectly good bottle and my calories and electrolytes. I tried to drink my water instead, but it was so solid by now I had to tap it on a rock to break the ice seal, which meant I lost half the water in there too! Luckily I had my filter bottle and could refill fairly soon.
I passed through Caledonia State Park and thought to check the restrooms, but as suspected they were closed for the season, but I filled and drank as much as I could at the creek flowing under the bridge. The AT following the creek for the next 0.3 miles was a sheet of ice and required caution. I snacked on everything in pack, using my water sparingly and knowing I'd be about 200kcal short without being able to mix my electrolyte powder into something. The last 15 miles had a few much larger clips and the fatigue on my legs had be watching my avg time grow from 12:22 to 12:44. I pushed hard through the rocks and just remained as steady as possible.
The last hour I pushed the pace hard and wanted to finish sub 9. I was a little dizzy from cold air, the lack electrolytes and at my last pause I ate every last thing from my pack and finished off my water. When I got to my car I hit pause. I pulled up the map and saw there was another route 16 0.3 miles up, so in my brain dead state I got nervous I stopped too soon and I restarted and went to the next road crossing and then back to my car. I opened the door to my back seat and collapsed happily. Took some photos and headed home.
Editor: The files are missing a small section from the start at Pine Grove Rd. but we have confirmation for this part.