Hello trail friends!
I set out to run a fast Wildwood End to End (North to South) today, and after a Bob's Red Mill Buckwheat Pancake breakfast I got started around 9 AM. Tyler Green dropped me off at the Newberry trailhead before church and I told him I'd try to be to the zoo between 1:15 and 1:45 PM as I was shooting for sub-4:30 (Melissa Cox's current record on Strava from Dec 31, 2015). It was a great misty magical morning in Forest Park and there were lots of people out playing! I ended up seeing (I think) the WyEast Sisterhood, Desiree Marek, Chris Derrick and so many tiny puppies!
I went through the halfway point in 1:52, and was at 2:30 with 10 miles to go. I carried a backpack and a bladder of water, but ended up drinking only a quarter of a liter (yikes, sorry kidneys) and consumed two huma gels and a sleeve of shotbloks. Tyler was at Germantown and offered me water and encouragement, I accepted the encouragement but not the water.. because unsupported! But full disclosure, he did take my longsleeve and gloves which I decided I didn't need, so you can be the judge on my unsupported/supported purity there. I struggled to get some sideaches under control in the early miles and suffered up the latter climbs up to Pittock mansion and the zoo, but hey it wouldn't be a proper adventure without some suffering, right? The trail was in decent condition considering the time of year, but the classic muddy spots were slick as expected. I ended up with a final time of 3:52.11! Tyler scooped me up from the zoo and then we serendipitously ran into Jordan Carey and the three of us went out to Ramen. It was a great day! I'd love to see some more speedy ladies lower the Women's FKT, I'm happy to chat with anyone interested! Happy trails!
GPS data: www.strava.com/activities/1346112295