I had initially planned to complete the LE&N FKT as a 96km out-and-back, but unfortunately soon after starting I realized my water pack had sprung a leak. I returned to my car and weighed my options. I could either scrap the whole thing and try again another day, or I could make this a one-way trip and still establish a one-way FKT. I called my wife back home (still asleep... I felt bad for waking her) and she agreed to pick me up in Port Dover.
After reassessing and repacking I set out again from Rotery Park in Brantford, this time with the intent of moving quickly and lightly. Instead of a Camelbak-style bag filled with eight-to-twelve hours worth of food and water and other supplies, plus three(!) belts, I carried a handheld water bottle and two belts (with two flasks of electrolytes attached).
The neighborhoods of southern Brantford soon gave way to farmland and scenic countryside. The morning air was cool and the skies were clear. Apart from an occasional bicyclist the trail was mostly empty. For the first hour I listened to music while I ran, something I don't typically do.
The first half passed without incident, except for the deer flies that chased me into Waterford. I crossed the Black Bridge, which marks the halfway point, and eagerly began counting down the miles.
Most of the trail is mercifully shaded, and I was thankful for that as the sun rose higher in the sky. But there are some exposed portions between Waterford and Simcoe, and the mid-morning heat was wearing me down. As I made my way through Simcoe my left knee began to ache, my pace was slowing, and my supplies were running low.
After 42km I found myself struggling. My knee was actively hurting and I frequently stopped to walk. When I did run it was more of a hobbled shuffle. But with only about 5kms to go I pressed on.
Eventually I made it into Port Dover and to the large fountain that marked the end of the trail. All I had left was a little bit of electrolyte drink and a squeezy pouch of apple sauce, both if which I purposefully saved for recovery, and both of which I immediately consumed. I found a shady spot under a tree and sat in the grass for a very long time. I overheard some bikers talking about the trail, and one of them said Brantford was too far for them to pedal.
I do wish my gear had held up so I could do a round trip, but the way my knee gave out at the end made me think it was better this way. I finished in a respectable time, enjoyed traversing the easily runnable trail, and enjoyed the scenery even more.