FKT: Scott Kulm - Manhattan Loop (NY) - 2024-04-13

My Experience:

This run was a roller coaster! I started out the night before, biking parts of the east side and dropping a couple of bottles I was going to pick up the next morning. In the morning I dropped another bottle before heading to the west side. Beginning at 72nd, everything was going fine until I hit the switchback near the GWB. I managed to follow the correct path, and rounded the inlet at Inwood Hill Park, and then began heading back south on 10th avenue. Surprised by the traffic early Saturday, I had to wait at a light and made a wrong turn into Highbridge Park. Quickly back on the right track I headed out and found that my first dropped bottle was missing! Zig zagging across Harlem I was feeling the fatigue, thankfully my bottle I dropped in the morning around Rockefeller was there. More traffic on 1st Av. slowed me, but then I hit the East River path just after finding my second dropped bottle was also taken - who knew Manhattan was such a clean place! At this point I was 20ish miles in and quite dehydrated. A made another wrong turn dealing with the construction in East River Park, but got on track. The wind was BRUTAL, the kind that makes you feel like your running is walking. I considered dropping at Battery Park but did some quick math and thought I just might make it. The headwind turned into a bit of a tailwind and I got into the zone as the west side from Battery Park to 72 is the path I take on all my long runs. I closed out at 3:20:35. I thought I might I have accidentally stopped my watch on 10th Av., but it couldn't have been stopped for more than 3 seconds.

The Route:
I did my best to follow the recent FKT of Aimee Epps, who went 31.0 miles. There seems to be some variability in these routes, in part due to the chaos of East Harlem and the constant closing of east side paths. I trust that the similarity of this route to Aimee makes this attempt proper, but going forward it could be nice to set a minimum distance (31.0 miles?) or a few checkpoints on the east side (Holocombe Rucker Park?).

Future Advice:

First, know the route. My indecision on the east side directly cost some time and indirectly brought on mental fatigue. Second, avoid the traffic. I probably stood at red lights 4-5 times, adding up to over a minute. Third, check the wind. I actually did check the forecast, which said "light/moderate" but it was brutal. The wind is somewhat unavoidable, but it's good to not be surprised. Fourth, have a better water plan than me, shouldn't be too hard as I was rather stupid.

Final Note:
Three weeks before I attempted the supported Central Park Loops FKT. I was looking good, 17/20 loops (103 miles) with ~3.5 hours to go when my foot just exploded. Moral of the story I guess is that failure happens, but then you just have to try again.