**Project Untamed 100**
103.74 miles
26,188ft elevation gain.
A self-created 100 miler in the Blue Ridge Mountains, my backyard. Trails I call home. After spring season I had a nudge to take a break from racing this fall, to adventure run the rest of the season. What started as an idea to do a 100k quickly turned into a 100 miler effort.
The idea was to string together all of the summits and most notorious climbs on this side of the mountain into one run. Climbs and trails typically used by us locals to get vert for training, or longer segments for adventure runs but never tied together in this way. Project Untamed 100 was born.
October 18, 2025, my feet hit the trail.
Starting in Brevard, NC at the Art Loeb trailhead, it was just Pete Schreiner, a legend with his trail photography, and myself. Originally I had a pacer scheduled for the first section of 22 miles. I have had two bear encounters that were pretty serious and running alone in the dark morning hours is not my ideal situation now. On Thursday before we were to set out, my pacer had a medical emergency. I did not want to scramble to find someone to just get me through the early morning hours, so I decided a fear would be faced.
I was surprisingly calm. Excited for the unknown adventure ahead. The sky was beautiful. It was clear and full of stars. The temperature was perfect, low 50s to start. I started with shorts and a light long sleeve shirt.
At 4:44 a.m. I started my watch and off I went.
Art Loeb gives it all. Immediately the climbs began, as it trends up to Black Balsam. The early dark hours went well. I am happy to report there were no bears or sounds to make me think there was something lurking. The mantra for the day was steady is strong. I had to dig into this as I needed to keep a nice pace and not push this section to start.
It started to get warm before the first light. I had made a huge mistake the week of the run and accidentally threw away the pair of shorts I had planned to use. I had identical shorts, one had holes, one did not. The ones without holes ended up in the trash can somehow. The week leading in I was panic buying, nothing was the right fit. The shorts I started in were rising and my thighs were starting to rub and get tender already. I told myself when I would take headlamps off I would put Squirrel’s Nut Butter on, but somehow that ended up with my crew and not in my pack. I was a little mad at myself but more worried that I still had another five hours to go until I saw my crew. I did not get stressed. I had to dig into one of my mantras here, pain is my mission. I reminded myself you can only control what you can, so how will you control this. Keeping focused and not letting it get to me, being in the moment step by step, was the only way. I could not let the what ifs get in the way. It was too early.
Three hours in was my first solo pit stop to re-gear for daylight. I took my long sleeve off. The weather was still perfect. It was calling for high 60s most of the day, the high in the mid 70s.
My main food of choice for this run was Carbs Fuel Original 200 cal pack, Carbs Fuel liquid nutrition, 1.5 scoops, Maurten 160, rice and avocado balls, with some fun things sprinkled in like peach rings, chips, and oranges. I had a bladder for plain water and two flasks with the Carbs Fuel. I am not one to adventure too much with food, so fewer options to choose from works for me.
The first major push came going up Pilot Mountain. I have done this trail many times before, but this time seemed way longer. Pilot Mountain is the "you are almost to the end of this section" marker. My legs were burning from the chafing starting to happen and I just wanted to get to my crew to get this figured out. I reached the top at 9:09 a.m., sweaty and thankful. At 10:07 a.m. another landmark was hit, I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway. One more major climb was in my future that would lead me to my first side quest.
With the hopes of hitting all the epic summits and views on this side of the parkway, Devil’s Courthouse was up next. Taking a left on MST off of Art Loeb, I traversed over a rocky, rooty, technical trail, one that keeps your mind occupied and energy focused. Typically this section is muddy, slick, and wet. I was prepared for it. With this area not having rain for a long time it shocked me to see it dry. I do not remember the last time it was dry, even the mud that usually tries to take your shoes was dry. I was not complaining. I hit the summit of Devil’s Courthouse at 10:39 a.m. A man who was bundled up for cold weather told me in a very serious way that I was not dressed appropriately for the weather. I laughed as I was gleaming in sweat in a tank top and shorts. I had just hit around mile 20. Only a few more miles to Crew 1. Going back the same way I came, I took off on MST to pick up Art Loeb again toward Black Balsam.
I wanted to make sure I touched every part of this MST trail here because of what it did give. I put Devil’s Courthouse here so I could do just that. This trail is stunning, side views and windows out to the Blue Ridge Mountains the entire time.
Black Balsam area was packed. I knew it would be crowded, but with peak leaf season it felt like the line looked more like climbing Everest. It was a challenge to go around the families and the amount of people getting to the top. I took in the views and awe but pushed harder here to get out of the crowds and back down to my crew. I hit the spur trail to lead me there at 11:23 a.m.
I had drank all my water but a few sips at this point. I was on a good pace.
Crew 1: Black Balsam: Mile 22- 11:30am - 11:37am
The next section was only 10 miles, so I left my bladder for this one. My crew chief was incredible. She was a machine the entire time, getting me in and out. This would be the only stop I did not take a bladder. I left with one bottle of Carbs Fuel and one plain. I had some oranges that were life while we repacked. Looking at my legs, they were already getting swollen and irritated from rubbing. I had an extra pair of shorts that were longer. Knowing how hot I run and going into the hottest part of the day, it was a tough call. Try to keep the shorter shorts for one more section and hope that Squirrel’s Nut Butter would be enough if I reapplied the entire time to beat the heat, or save my legs and know I would be hotter than I wanted. We made the quick choice to change.
The next section is a 10 mile loop where I would return to the same spot for Crew 2.
Wanting to hit another breathtaking summit and other gorgeous spots in this area, the loop was created. All trails iconic to us who live here and visitors alike.
First through the meadow. Instantly I felt relief on my legs and was so thankful we made the call to switch to longer shorts. I believe that saved this section and maybe even more of the run down the road. I was moving pain free and re-energized. Sam's Knob climb was up first. A short mile or so climb to the top giving you views that make your jaw drop. As you get closer to the top it gets a little more technical in hopping over rocks, more so on the way down. I arrived at the summit at 11:57 a.m.
I headed back down the same way I came up, then over to Flat Laurel Creek, taking a left to hit Little Sam's Knob, a quick connector trail back to the MST. I love this trail for its views, creek crossings, and yes, more technical roots and rocks. Hitting MST you take a right toward SR 215.
I was on a high through this entire loop. The open forest, the techy trails, following the creek for miles, waterfalls, and the fall colors were blowing my mind. Pure joy in the moment was felt with every step. This section allows for more running, so I took advantage as much as possible. You have five major creek crossings here in this loop, all lending to wet feet if you are not careful. I was happy to come out dry out of all them. Nutrition still on point, heart full. I made my way back up Flat Laurel Creek. I have a timestamp at one of the major waterfalls at 1:24 p.m. It did get really hot at one point. I was almost concerned about not having enough water, as I wanted to drink more, but I reserved it. I knew I would see my crew soon. I had a filter in my pack just in case but I never needed to use it. The top of Flat Laurel Creek is usually a river as well. I planned to have my feet soaked the last part, but once again, with the lack of rain, I was able to only get a little wet. There was enough room on the trail to hop, skip, and jump to avoid full water the entire time, which is not typical.
I made my way back up through the meadow to Crew 2. Crew time 2:08 p.m- 2:16pm, mile 32. This was planned to be a longer stop as I wanted to change shoes and socks, forecasting completely soaked feet. They were wet enough to stick to that plan. We also took time to charge my watch and Garmin here. From here on out I had a battery pack with me. My watch is notorious for not making it a full 100 miles. I was determined this was not going to happen. More to come on this. Every crew stop and random times while running I would put it on the charger from this moment on.
I would not see my crew again for another six hours, keeping my goal pace of 20minutes. From now on also I would have a bladder at all times and two flasks of Carbs Fuel. We took headlamps here. The ultimate goal was to make it to the next crew without them, but thankfully we had them because they were used.
Packed, refilled, fresh shoes, a half sandwich in hand, and a fresh pacer, Caroline, we left Crew 2 at 2:16 p.m. The sandwich, I hoped to eat more of it, ended up being tossed. Too dry. Rice and avocado ended up being a staple in every section. It was perfect to get down and filled me up.
Climbing back up to Balsam, this time it was a little later in the day. There were still a lot of people, but the crowds had thinned out, making it easier to get around. The views. This part of the Art Loeb is my absolute favorite. It is magical. Three hundred sixty degree views. The colors were on fire with the leaves. I think my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Having my pacer here to enjoy it with me was everything. We were moving at a great pace and the jokes between us were starting.
This section is flowy yet still technical with a few big climbs sprinkled in.
After Skinny Dip Falls I had my first low. I was in my 12th hour and had already hit around 11,000 feet of climbing. We were around mile 40. I stopped at Skinny Dip Falls to splash my face and rinse my hands of gel stickiness. As soon as I stood up my eyes wanted to close. My pacer was talking, I just heard a voice. I was not putting together words. I got really quiet, still moving. It was the first thought of how can I do this. I do not like to take too much caffeine and had planned to take my first 150 mg at the next crew stop. After letting my pacer know my eyes were feeling fuzzy, we agreed it was time to go ahead and take my first caffeine pill. After that I got nauseous. I had to fight back wanting to get sick. I had some peach rings, usually my go-to anytime save-me snack, and it was a fight to get one down. It took everything I had to keep it down. We were about to do a little climbing so I force fed myself more gels, which required a pause and some gagging to complete.
After the caffeine hit and my stomach settled, we were off again, back to singing, laughing, and moving. My eyes were open and I was ready to rock and roll.
It was perfect timing as climbing up Green Knob was a beast at that time. This was the only section I did not get on for training. I had done it before, but to be honest, I blacked this climb out of my memory, so it was a powerful punch that surprised us. Making our way up and over, we crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway and felt relief that the major climbs for that section were done. Only a gradual up to Pisgah Inn was left.
Keeping a really good pace, I was trying to get to our next aid before darkness. This was hopeful thinking and we almost made it, but needed about 45 minutes with headlamps. Though the sun was still up, it got dark in the hollers of the mountains quick. The section was very rocky and lights were needed early.
This was the only time we heard a bear. We had just put on our headlamps and it must have been right by the trail because we heard a snort, then a loud object running away. Of course I stopped and let out a random yell that we joked about. It was instinct. We never saw it but it sounded big.
With about a mile left of the climb we heard our crew yell and saw two headlamps coming in. To our surprise, Pete came to capture some photos and a friend, Caleb, came to say hi and join for a little bit. It was a nice addition and we laughed at some nonsense. My goal this run was to be more sore from laughing than running and thus far it was right on point. I started to have a hot spot on the back of my ankle, so as we were running through the needs of this next stop I mentioned it. It was decided we would take the extra time to look at it and change to thicker socks. I started with XOSKINs. I had Injinjis as backups. Climbing up to the Pisgah Inn it was a bit windy and cooler, as expected. Typical for this area.
Crew stop 3: Pisgah Inn Mile 52 8:30pm - 8:40pm
My rockstar crew took my socks off and there was a blister starting to form. We taped it up and switched socks. I enjoyed more oranges and more laughs while we were doing this. Pete captured one of my favorite pictures here. My smile holding an orange while my crew was taping me up was perfect bliss. Until then I had a sports bra on. It was planned to put my wide shoulder tank top on here over it, which we did. Again, I run hot, so even though it was chillier I knew once I got going I would not need gloves or a long sleeve. The headband I had for my headlamp was even too hot but it was needed. I did have a waist lamp the entire time as well.
A pack repacked, new gear, and a new pacer, Nate, we set forth on what would be the toughest section. My pacer here knows me. He has paced me for every race. A best friend, a training partner, and an incredible athlete. He was the only one I wanted for these miles. I knew I would need his energy. Off we went to the first of many side quests off the MST. First up, Pilot Rock, yes we hit two different Pilots this run. To do this we do a punchy climb then a full descent. This is where the weather started to have fun with us. It got extremely windy and we were in a cloud. The fog was so dense it was hard to see. Perfect timing because this trail is notorious for its rock gardens and small loose rocks. I joked I needed fog lights because the headlamps were making it worse. Gaining any speed down here was not going to be possible. We hit the turnaround and headed back up. We did go slightly off trail here, but not much, only about 10 feet. We took a random camping trail to a fire pit instead of the trail. We quickly realized that was not the way and backtracked and got back on the trail easily. Up we went, back into deep fog and wind.
I hit another deep low coming up Pilot. I started to move slower. I planned to do caffeine every eight hours. We were now at six hours. For the first time I was actually starting to sleepwalk. I have never experienced this before. My eyes were shutting but I was moving. I told my pacer what was happening. He told me to keep going, I would come out on the other side, do not worry. I remember turning around to him in the most endearing way and just saying, I am so sleepy, like I was asking for permission to lay down right there. I was eating food very well and took in my rice and avocado right before, so we determined it was not a bonk from nutrition. I needed that caffeine punch. I took another 150 mg six hours after the first. Once again I got really nauseous after it. This was also a first. These pills have never made me nauseous, so a new battle was being fought. I had to fight to keep everything down. Honestly the only thing that worked was me mentally telling myself that you will not waste your caffeine. Keep it down. The last punchy climb out of Pilot brought it. Half asleep until that kicked in, wind, fog, water droplets from the fog. I tapped into my other mantra, steady is strong. I just had to stay steady. I knew I was safe with my pacer and he assured me I was almost to the other side of this feeling.
We would see our crew in a little bit at the Pisgah parking lot. We did not plan an official stop here, but knowing how windy and cold it was getting, and that we were about to go even higher elevations, we got out our jackets and put them on. I also got a handful of pirogies to take with me.
By the time we got here that caffeine hit. I was ready to eat and climb Mt. Pisgah. Knowing it was only about a mile climb and back, the energy was solid. We climbed hard. We did not stop. My legs, still feeling so strong and good, energy back, we crushed it. To our surprise the wind and fog were not as bad on this side of the mountain. It was howling at the top but it was not cold and wet like the other side. We got to the deck of Pisgah and celebrated. The next chunk of Mountains to Sea, while it has a few punchy climbs, trends downward to Bent Creek Gap Road. We celebrated, standing on that deck, knowing we were about to get some relief and smooth sailing, as we said. And that we did. We actually ran sections of Mt. Pisgah coming back down, not just ultra shuffle, we were moving.
Crew Stop 4: Mount Pisgah Mile 62 - 12:42am - 12:53am This was a bigger stop to prep us for the longer section coming up, still in the Pisgah parking lot. Refilled waters, more solid food, charged watch, checked Garmin, and it had plenty of life. Phone was charged up and good. We still took the charger with us.
This started the section called Shut In. A 15 mile section of MTS that is known as Shut In. I tapped the Shut in sign and Off we went again. Our first two side quest missions were completed until the next. We flowed here again, tackling the moments. Time did not exist anymore. Just one step, another step. The weather was perfect again, no jackets needed. Still very windy but the fog, dampness and coolness as subsided. My feet were starting to hurt in general here. I kept joking that both my pinky toes were gone. I had kicked so many roots and rocks underneath leaves and through the night that every step they throbbed. I was taking Tylenol every eight hours strategically. Was it helping at this point, we will never know, but boy did I feel my feet. The bottoms of my feet were pretty tender as well. Little did I know I had a massive blister under one and a smaller one underneath the other that I was running on. We found out at the finish.
After the climb up Ferrin Knob it started to happen again. My eyes were getting jittery and crossed. They wanted to close again. I kept rubbing them to keep them open. We only had a couple more miles until our crew. The initial plan was to make this one quick. I could see the cars below as we made our descent into Bent Creek Gap Road. I asked my pacer in the most please way, could I just take five minutes to close my eyes. That is all I wanted. The climbs we were about to undertake in the midnight hour were serious. They are hard on a fresh day just doing one. We were at about mile 70 and about to tackle them with around 19k of climbing under us, at the 4 a.m. hour. My pacer said absolutely. I have never needed that so bad in my life. I sat in the chair, curled up in a blanket, and shut my eyes. My team charged my watch and Garmin. I got nine minutes in here, though I didn't sleep just shutting my eyes-it saved me.
This was crew stop 4: Bent Creek Gap Road #1: Mile 70. 4:00am - 4:13pm
I felt like a whole new person. I did not take more caffeine yet here as it was still early. I probably could have, but just that little reset was enough. Off we went on our huge side quest. Cold Knob first. First up the backside, a short steep climb to the top. Then descend down a very technical steep trail. It is around 1.5 miles-ish long with about 1,100 feet of gain. A local fave to get all the vert for climbing. As we went down we quickly realized it would be leaf surfing most of the way, which added a whole new element. The only thing we could do was laugh at the stupidity of doing this section at these miles in the dark. It kept us going. Do not tell anyone, we both secretly enjoyed it. We got to the bottom, did our turnaround, and up we went. Steady is strong, steady is strong, I kept repeating. I was in good spirits and mentally I had prepared myself for this section all through training. I was ready. I was ready to bring it and that we were. It was not going to let this loop crush me and it did not.
We made our way back to Bent Creek Gap Road and saw the crew. We did not stay long here, got some banana bread to go. I think at some point I took another caffeine pill. I do not quite remember this, but I remember feeling a spark of energy that only a caffeine pill could bring at this next little bit. I took an extra charging block and charged my watch going down Bent Creek Gap Road. It is an easy forest service road, so I could concentrate on not tripping and charging. My pacer was getting sleepy here, so he did a little sleepwalking himself. We were about to head up Greenie, which is another climb, steeper than Cold Knob. Not many people do this one, but those that do are another breed.
There is only one way to go up Greenie. It is to not stop. To stay steady. To dig in and go. The steepness, if you are not careful, will make you lose your balance and go backwards. We had been saying the whole time that we were going to see the sunrise at the summit. The light started to come through the trees and it was happening. A sunrise was starting. This breathed new life into both of us. I joked that we were going to get a Strava crown going up this. It felt like it. We were relentless in our climbs. It felt faster than it was, but I am so proud of us. Mile 77 at 7 a.m., going up the steepest climb of the run. Again we could only laugh at the route I had created and put this here. We got to the top and wow. The sunrise lit up the sky in the most amazing way. Bright pink puffy clouds. The trees shone with their amber colors.
The fun was not over though. As we got to the top we had more side quest. Another fun trail us locals do, Three Humps, was next. Three summits with different punchy climbs. We had to turn right to hit them all first, a little ode to the what in the world did you create. A steep fun down, then a big climb back with a few rollers. I have a video laughing here that the ups keep coming. It is my favorite video of the whole run. Every time I watch it, the candidness of the moment is so pure and I laugh so hard knowing what we just conquered. A special moment indeed.
We made our way back to Bent Creek Gap Road for the final time, seeing our crew to complete the loop. Mile: 80. 8:34am - 8:36am- Originally in my plan this would be the longer stop, but it got flip flopped with the first being the longest. I emptied trash and took a few gels and we were off. I just wanted to get to Sleepy Gap, the next aid. The marker of only having about 20 miles left. It was starting to feel surreal.
We both were in good spirits and kept the shuffle going. Keeping at a steady 20 minute pace even with the stops, climbs, and nine minute nap. This was my B goal pace and I was quite happy to be here. The first hallucination happened on this stretch. A big circus tent with people under it eating appeared. It was a tree bent over.
The weather had been nice, so as we rolled into Sleepy Gap right on time I was shocked at the change. Crew stop : Mile 83 : Sleepy Gap - 9:50am - 9:54am. It was windy, cold, and starting to rain. I was not expecting that. Rain was in the forecast when I looked that Thursday night but not until 1 p.m. It had come in early. My brain was pretty mush by now. The energy it took mentally to get through the night was felt. I was picking up a new pacer here, Kristyn. A friend who is always a bubble of joy, strategically chosen for this very moment. I knew she would pick me up by just being her.
I had to refill some things and take out trash. Our pit stops had become a well-oiled machine. Not changing much, it became muscle memory of what needed to be done. I gave my waist lamp back. I kept my headlamp for no reason but I forgot to get it out of my pack. We got a little charge on my watch while we did a quick pacer regroup. We had two side quests before continuing on MST. First up, Sleepy Gap. Some would call this a pointless out and back and it felt like that in the moment. But sticking to keeping this route special to us locals, this is Victor’s trail. A legend in our trail running community and our trail maintenance. This was his trail. He rebuilt this trail, took pride in this trail, and we all know that his love was soaked into its soil. He passed away this year from cancer. So what may look like why would you do this, to me, it was the only way. A remembrance to Victor. I climbed and shared stories with my pacer. I spoke his name. I shared his legacy with her as she is newer to the ultra world. I was really starting to hallucinate here, seeing dump trucks, construction equipment, and a car in the woods. It turned out to be just three big boulders. After we got back to Sleepy Gap parking lot it really was starting to rain. I put my rain jacket over my pack and up Grassy Knob we went, another local fave for repeats to get vert. We went up the backside to hit the summit then all the way down to the bottom.
The storm must have knocked a tree over. It was huge and right in the middle of the trail. The leaves were still attached and I could not see a trail yet formed by people going around it. It looked like we may have been the first to conquer this. By now everything was slippery, the trail and the leaves, and it was raining. Getting through this was a fun experience. We had to go up and over, balancing at some points to get to the next area to climb through. Laughing, of course, that this was happening. It is things like this that I am glad happened. What a fun story to tell. We got to climb through this twice since it was an out and back. I remember looking at my watch, seeing mile 87 with about 23k of climbing under my belt.
In my original description I said to turn around on South ridge, but I forgot that it is actually on Pine Tree Loop, you cross over South ridge to hit the last little bit to turnaround, so turn around there. The gpx has this correct.
I was in a daze a lot coming up this section. Not tired enough for caffeine yet, just foggy and not talking much. The apologies started. Usually I am high vibe energy when my friend and I run. I felt like I was disappointing her that it was not as fun as usual. I was in it. I was in the thick of only having 20 more miles to go but so many more miles to go. Nutrition was still going really well. Very happy with my intake. There were times some of the gels made me gag, but overall I could not believe how well I was doing. Staying up on liquid carbs, water, and food the whole time.
We came back down to Sleepy Gap parking lot. I topped off my bladder, got new bottles, emptied trash, and took a few more gels. It was quick and unofficial stop so no time recorded here. It was still raining and windy, so I did not want to stay long. I was using my bladder to wash my hands along the way as well or I wouldn't have refilled. The inside of my pack where I was keeping trash and gels was absolutely disgusting and sticky.
I knew it was time to charge my watch some. It had not died on my wrist. I took it off and plugged it in and I got the heart in my stomach notification. You have 2 percent, please put on charger. I had the charger with me but it would not take a charge. I was about to cry. We stood there for a bit, both me and my pacer, trying to get it to charge. We blew on the ends, the connection, unplugged, replugged, and it never charged. I was devastated in this moment. I had to focus. I had to be smart. I quickly took out my phone and started Strava on my phone. I checked my Garmin, still tracking and 53 percent charged. There was nothing else I could do in the moment but keep going.
You can clearly see on both Strava routes there may have been four feet of me trying to figure out what I was going to do from end to start of the new segment. It makes me wonder, all the times we made it a point to charge my watch, if it was charging, you can't tell on the version of Coros I have the battery life or if its charging when in motion. Time for a new watch but thats a different story. As much as we kept giving it juice at random times, I did not expect this. Devastated to not have full track of this is an understatement.
I had a friend splice together my Strava routes into one GPX, but I am going to be quite honest here. It makes me too nervous to delete my official routes and re-upload the spliced one. I have it if needed. I hope the honesty and transparency here with enough documentation backs up that there was not a long gap. My tracker shows the full route.
I wanted to cry. I actually did some to myself. The thought of everything that my soul had poured into creating this route and it possibly not being acknowledged tore me up. But again, I had to get over that. I could not control my watch. I did everything I could have done. My crew knew I did this route. I knew I did it. I had to live in the moment. I had to keep going. My pacer called my crew to let them know what was happening. We decided to make an emergency pit stop at a little area they could park on the side of the road where the trail hit and we did not have to go off course. I was starting to have another hot spot. The hot spot had been there for quite some time. I was going to go to the finish with it, but I decided I wanted to fix it at the emergency stop. I did not want to be in pain with 14 miles or so to go.
They took my watch and hooked it up to a different charger and it started to charge. We bandaged and taped my other heel and off I went. I had my phone still recording on Strava. My crew kept my watch and got more charge. I would see them in four miles, about an hour.
We had some punchy climbs to tackle. Foot feeling so much better, I was in better spirits, and we took off. Hallucinations began a lot again. Gorillas, men with orange hands, the leaves were sting rays, and more. They were fun and I was inviting them in. My pacer was getting a kick out of them. I had more energy and we resumed cracking jokes, singing, and laughing. The hallucinations helped, as I was out of the tired foggy stage and into pure delirium. I was about 33 hours in at this point.
We made it to the bottom of Shut-In. Mile 90: - 1:34pm - 1:37 Two feet on the road, my crew was waiting for me with two fresh Carb Fuels bottles. I had all the food I needed from Sleepy Gap, packed that way on purpose to make this quick. They took my trash. My watch now had about 40 percent battery. I took it and started it back up. I kept my phone running though. I was not going to chance anything.
With the watch started, new pacer, Oksana, in tow, 10ish miles planned to go (ended up being 14 miles), we took off back the way we came. My final pacer, a pure crusher who has finished multiple 100's. A strong runner who is a light on the trail with her personality and enthusiasm. Again, perfectly picked for this section. I knew her push would bring me home.
The climb up out of Shut-In is a powerful punch to start, then a constant four mile climb. I was feeling the eyes do the things again. I was tired. They were crossing. I had my last caffeine pill on me. I was silent to start. We kept climbing. I started to think if I was going to make it. Thoughts of was my crew chief going to have to run in and get me out. I told myself no, this is why you have your current pacer. This is what she is here for and why you picked her. She has you. You are safe. You will finish. With the 150 mg not working, I had a caffeine gel. I do not like to double stack, but in this case it was the only way. I took the 100 mg gel a few miles later.
I forgot to unclip myself out of my poles on a straight section out of tiredness. I tripped and the poles put me into a tailspin and I fell over in a bush. I cut myself up. The only time I fell the entire race. The fatigue was real. But it looked tough having dried blood down my leg. In a way it had to happen. I was okay and we actually made a song out of it and it became our song of the section. It made us laugh and it was silly.
The caffeine started to hit and my pace picked up some. We hit the landmark of getting off of MTS (shutin) taking a small connector trail into Bent Creek. The official home stretch was now happening!!! By now my feet were on fire. If I thought they hurt before, they were so painful. I think I could have run or at least shuffled more on this section if every step did not feel like death. I did the best I could. As I realized my goal of 33 hours was not going to happen and 36 was more of the trajectory, I got a sense of sadness. I felt bad for my crew having to wait on me. Everyone out there longer than I had anticipated. I was getting mad I could not run. Frustrated this last section was taking so long. My pacer tried to hold conversations with me and I had no answers. If you asked my name I do not think I could have told you. My brain was fried. But steady is strong and I was staying steady. Not stopping, just a bit slower.
Much to our surprise the same friend, Caleb, who ran in to surprise me at Pisgah Inn showed up again. He wanted to help bring me home. It was a nice relief to have one more person. I perked up because the inside jokes my pacer and I had, we tried to explain to my friend, and they just were not getting it and it became another funny thing to hold on to. The caffeine was finally working and we started to move a bit more. I was cussing rocks like a champ here. I kept hitting them, my toes falling off more and more. As we got closer to the finish, I still needed to do another up and around first- my friend asked if I wanted anything before the last three mile loop. I was hungry, so I said my avocado and rice. He took off and said he would meet us back on the trail. It was just me and my pacer again.
I hit another sad low of taking longer than I wanted and she reminded me what I was doing, creating a new 100 mile route for our community and tackling it. We had a good heart to heart and the first real tears of accomplishment happened. I created something from my heart and I was just three miles from finishing something incredible. I kept to my mantras. I kept to my pace. My mind, for the most part besides these last final moments, stayed in a happy place the entire time. My goal of laughing and enjoying this with friends was coming to a close. It all unfolded in the best way.
We were not done yet. We still had one more climb and the longest three miles to go. After the climb I accidentally stabbed my poor toe with my pole which sent a shooting pain through my foot. One I have never felt before. I think it popped a blister. It was radiating to the point where I could not take a step for a second. I shuffled it off but wow, was a toe going to take me out with just a few miles to go. It could not, but in that moment the pain was agonizing. I told my pacer it felt like aliens were in my shoe.
I shuffled it off and the pain went back to the normal pain.
I was getting hungry and with no rice and avocado in sight I opted for another gel to finish the run. The finish line was so close. My friend did pop back up with about a mile to go and yes, I still ate the food. My body wanted it and it was still taking nutrition like a champ, so it got it.
Finishing the Explorer loop and making a left onto Bent Creek Gap Road was the end. It was the final stretch. We came up around a small climb and a curve and I could hear my people. A friend who happened to be doing her own training run was in the distance. We exchanged hugs in passing. She congratulated me and said I had a group of friends waiting for me just ahead.
It was happening. The finish. As everyone came into sight I did not expect to see what I saw. Everyone was lined up in the road, yelling, jumping, holding a sign, and the cowbells going. More friends showed up other than just my crew. It was the best feeling ever. These people actually came to see this moment. My heart was exploding with so much gratitude and joy. As I ran in and touched the final gate of the Explorer loop parking lot my body slumped over the gate. I had to take it all in.
Wow. I stopped my watch at 5:22 and then my phone strava. Pete, the photographer, has a timestamp of me ending my watch and starting my watch.I love that he was able to join. I love him as a dear friend and his photography speaks wonders.
I did not think I would cry again but I did. Tears of happiness rolled down my face. This run had so much deep meaning to it. So much more than a run. It was everything. I will spare all the deeper meaning. Find me on IG and it is shared there.
I am so grateful for my crew. The blisters, the fatigue, the laughs, the memories, the climbs, the weather. It was all so perfect. I could not have done this any differently. It unfolded just as it should have. I hope to encourage someone else to try this route as it will test you. Records are meant to be broken. I know I am not the fastest runner, the most elite runner, but the strength this run held for me was undeniable. I hope to show that you do not have to be the most elite to go after big goals, chase dreams, and create your own path, your own route, and carve your own destiny.
FKT SIDE NOTES: There was a 4-minute gap from end of strava segment one to start of segment two where I stood still trying to get my watch to recharge and switched to recording on my phone. Pete (photographer) has timestamped photos confirming my watch start at 4:44 a.m. and finish at 5:22 p.m. To stay transparent and fair on timing, I’ve added the maximum possible seconds (:59) to account for any small variance. Both Strava files and my Garmin tracker confirm a continuous effort with no gaps in the route. Pete has not finished editing all the photos at the time of this submission, I did not want to wait to submit but I can send the picture if needed to verify stopping of my watch and folding over the gate at the the finish asap as needed.