Podcast: Episode 155: Scott Jurek: Back on the Appalachian Trail 6 years after his FKT

Scott is the best US Male Ultra Runner ever.  That may change, but for now, no one can match 7 consecutive wins at the WS100 plus wins at other marquee events.

He set the S-N FKT on the fabled Appalachian Trail in 2015, with a desperate effort at the end, eclipsing Jennifer Pharr Davis' time by 3hrs 13mins.  The next year Scott's friend Karl Meltzer lowered it by 9hrs 29mins, then "the Belgian Dentist" Karel Sabbe demolished the overall AT FKT by doing it 41days 7hrs 39mins.  

Scott and his wife Jenny co-authored, "North: Finding My Way On The Appalachian Trail" about that experience, and were the 3rd ever guests on the Fastest Known Podcast.  Karel was actually our 2nd guest ever (take a look and listen - three years ago and these episodes are worth it).

Time to catch up!

On August 4, Scott went back for another go.  This time with plenty of preparation and knowledge, unlike the first time when he and Jenny "On-sighted it".  How did that go?

"I started to feel my left quad on the 4th day. I shifted weight to the right, then that tightened up badly. I tried to slow down and walk it off, but that is not possible on the northern section of the AT."

Very disappointing.  Yet Scott still delivers an authentic, mature, and insightful attitude that can be helpful to many of us. Listen also to Scott describing his particular training for this effort, as well as nutrition specifics.  And he feels that starting in the north, where the terrain is more difficult than in Georgia may have been a factor.

"You don't get warm by sticking your head in a furnace."

It's still too early to think about this, but we have to ask .... will he go back?

"I still have so much to learn, and I still have more to give.”

"You had to go and wake the dragon". - Jenny to Scott