I set off from the CCC Trailhead with 2.5 liters water & a few snacks. The descent became increasingly technical as I approached the parking lot at the bottom. Once off the CCC, I enjoyed the flat and sometimes shaded miles along the canyon floor. The Lighthouse Trail was getting busy with hikers, but having witnesses kept me motivated to maintain a strong pace. Once reaching the saddle, I quickly took my selfie and headed off.
Exiting the smooth and fast Lighthouse Trail, I enjoyed a couple more miles of flat before climbing up Rock Garden to the rim. I was pleasantly surprised to find this trail less technical than CCC, and made good progress in spite of the rising heat. Since I had read other FKT reports, I easily found the 2.5 mile marker, then flew back down to Comanche Trail. This trail was not as easy as the canyon floor trails I'd been on earlier in the run, presenting more rollers and more technical terrain, with no shade and hardly any hiker traffic. Around mile 18 I slowed down a moment to take off some layers, and somehow managed to end my activity by accident. Thankfully I realized the issue quickly and started a new run. These last 5 miles were a struggle and I had to slow down to keep my stomach from revolting in the heat. I pushed through the last ascent to where I'd started, and finally allowed myself to take a moment to enjoy the beautiful views.