Overall this was very very hard but was a fun and enjoyable route with the (mostly) very nice trails.
Been thinking about this FKT route for a couple years but never got to it, I finally went for it.
I did some splits beforehand and it looked possible for me to get the FKT.
It was a stunning day but way too warm for running especially for the climbs!
Was very very dry out there so I had to carry plenty of water but there was places to fill.
The climbs through Norvin and Stonetown were slow and tough in the heat. But I was hitting my splits. The rough and steep trails are my strength.
The section on the Hasenclever-Iron to Ringwood is mostly track and quite runnable - not my strength - so got a little behind.
Leaving Ringwood Manor I was really tight on the time so I had to really pick up the pace.
Just at the top of the last big climb I had some pre-cramping which got worse as I picked up the pace downhill I had to stop a couple times to stretch and massage my legs. That kept them going till the next hill up to the castle ruins. At that point my legs really started seizing up. It was quite frustrating because I was so close with 2 miles left to go. At that point I could only walk so I thought i wouldn't get the FKT. Luckily I was able to gently pick up the pace and the 'tightness' was just on and off after that but I was able to hold of any full cramping and I made it in even with some minutes to spare!
Knowing the route is a big help for this route as it does get tricky to follow in places. Even with knowing the route as I have done almost all the trails before I still had a number of places I was unsure where to go.