Took a stab at my first FKT attempt while in quarantine staying in Ohio. I researched if any FKT existed for the Mohican Bike Trail which has been a popular trail to explore I sections of late. To my surprise, only one entry; 4h 08m 59s by a local trail runner, achieved unsupported. I had viewed the loop at a guess of 4h so was encouraged to give this a shot.
Just after 7am on Mother's Day, I took off clockwise from the start of the trailhead aka car park. My wife, Tiffany had offered to support so I gladly excepted. I knew I couldn't cruise even though no other supported FKT’s existed as I would have to beat the previous unsupported time to be legit. My goal was 10 minute miles which would get me about sub-4 and achieve the goal. Mile 1, 2 and 3 were all 9 ish, I was fired up and getting after it! I encountered my first mountain biker (coming towards me from his correct direction) at mile 8, the next not until mile 13 or so. This lack of other athletes on the course held true for most of the loop. In fact, I saw no other runners at all. The weather was overcast and hanging in the low 40's, essentially perfect.
I monitored my blood glucose with my Dexcom app and route with AllTrails. In hindsight, I should have recorded the run on AllTrails as additional documentation. However, Tiffany met me at miles 5, 9, 12, 16 or so and took many photographs as well as the start and finish.
By 9 miles, I was already 20 minutes under FKT pace and lots of the major climbs were done. I still ended up pushing and fell 3 times, each one being worse than the last so I definitely didn’t take it too easy out there. My goal went from sub-4 to sub-3:30. Although I got lost with 5 to go and had to backtrack, I wasn’t too phased as each mile marker was visible and the last 5k was mostly downhill. I cruised into the start/finish sign at 3:24:30. Happy Days.