My first off trail FKT! I was in Michigan for Merrell's brand week and wanted to go for this FKT! It was harder than I thought it would be...
1. My first attempt: I got off course and realized it when I was 2.5 miles off (tip for the next person going for this, about 1.5 miles in you'll get to a road crossing. The bike path continues on the other side but don't take the bike path, hang a left and go on the sidewalk instead. Super strange but that's what this route is!)
2. My second attempt: I came back the next day determined to actually run the right route. I was ready! I held my phone the whole time so I could see the map I made on Strava from the GPX file and I ran the right route!! Unfortunately, I was prepared with the route but not my watch... it died with .6 to go. Absolutely devastating haha
3. My third attempt: My watch was charged, I started the route on my phone from Strava as backup, and after running this route the past two days I could run this route without getting lost at all. probably with my eyes closed. It was a rainy and snow day and Uber driver John was shocked and scared for my life that I was going for a run but it was now or never for this FKT because I was leaving Michigan later that day. I finally got it!
I wore the Merrell Sky Fire 2s and they were awesome!! Light, quick, and the last day with the rain and snow these shoes drained the water from the puddles really well. I ran with my phone and this was a quick route so I didn't need any fuel or water along the way. Third time's the charm!