When you hear sandy pine forest trails do you think of Florida? I bet you don’t think of New Jersey. Yet, on this week's episode, host Heather Anderson chats with Rachel Bambrick about her unsupported FKT in the sand laden Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Her 12 hour 35 minute record set a stout bar for the women’s unsupported category. Tune in and discover the details of the Batona Trail–a 53-mile hidden gem in southern New Jersey–a short drive from metro Philadelphia. Rachel shares her learning curve attempting a long unsupported record hike including how to handle brown water and her insatiable desire for Smuckers Uncrustables. Rachel also shares her philosophy on First Known Times–rather than fastest–and her goal of inspiring more women to explore their edges in athletic endeavors. Tune in and be inspired to get out there and try!

This week we're traveling to the Midwest for an excursion along Lake Superior. Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail is a popular route for FKTs and today Andrea Larson and Alan Chapman will be joining host Heather Anderson to talk about their independent, unsupported FKTs. Find out how Andrea made the last-minute decision to go unsupported and how that resulted in her struggling to keep her pants pulled up on day one. Alan shares how the Japanese philosophy of misoji influenced his decision to run as well as the wild hallucinations he had along the way. Drop in to laugh with and be amazed by these two athletes as they dive into the deep end of difficulty for their first FKT attempts.

West of Toronto, Canada’s 550 mile long Bruce Trail travels along the Niagara Escarpment, from the famous falls northward onto a peninsula that juts into the Great Lakes. This ribbon of wilderness is a well-maintained gem of predominantly hardwood forest. In 2016 a team of 18 women completed the trail relay style in what they called the Wild Bruce Chase. In 2023, one of those women went back for more.  Drop in to today’s episode and hear how Chantal Demers tackled the Bruce Trail in a completely different way via her Project 9. Despite injury set-backs, you’ll hear how this busy mom set 9 separate unsupported FKTs on the Bruce Trail. She faced weather challenges, nail-biting finishes, and the unknowns of how her body would handle the distances she was asking of it. 

The Colorado 14ers are a prominent mountain list in the United States with a long history of FKTs on them. This week’s guests have been a huge part of that history, with each of them having established multiple FKTs in these mountains over the years. In this episode, we learn how Andrew Hamilton and Andrea Sansone decided to contribute to the 14ers legacy as a team. Despite injuries and personal losses, Andrea and Andrew set out to establish the first supported mixed gender FKT for the 14ers with an aggressive schedule that nearly forced them to quit early on. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear how they rallied behind the mantra “one more mountain” even as they experienced breathing difficulties and what they describe as ‘being in hell for two weeks.” You can’t help being inspired by their humble spirit, dedication to one another, and willingness to keep going, even when it looked bleakest. Drop in and be immersed in 12 days of hard mountain adventure.

This week we’re taking a trip to the land of mud, moose, and rocks in northern New Hampshire where Phoebe Seltzer set the supported FKT on the 170-mile Cohos Trail in 3 days, 10 hours. The southern terminus of the Cohos Trail is located at Crawford Notch in the heart of the uber-popular White Mountains. From there it quickly leaves the busier backcountry trails behind and wends northward through the wilderness landscapes of the Great North Woods before reaching its northern terminus at the Canadian border. Phoebe is no stranger to the Cohos–nor to attempting an FKT on it. In fact, this was her fourth attempt to set a record on this seldom-traveled route. Tune in to find out what she did differently to finally achieve success and how she sleep and nutrition throughout this challenging effort.  Mountain athlete and former guide, Phoebe shares details on how she prepares and adapts to challenges en route and the importance of having a stellar crew.

In today’s episode we’re traveling to remote Nevada to travel the crest of the Toiyabe National Forest with Jessica Johnson and Cryptic. This non-binary team established a stout unsupported time on this roughly 65-mile long trail through classic basin and range terrain.  Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, this National Recreation Trail had fallen into disuse. Its revitalization is being brought about by new popularity among mountain bikers and bipedal adventurers alike.  Hear how Jessica’s mission to set an initial FKT on the only National Recreation Trail not yet attempted for speed, and serendipity on the PCT, led to them teaming up with Cryptic to tackle a route known for its difficult route finding as their first adventure together. We talk about their concerns about whether they’d be able to work together well, how they managed the difficulties of the trail, and navigation. You’ll be amazed by the variety of conditions they encountered in 52 hours from altitude, water scarcity (and the complete opposite with 30-plus water fords), frozen shoes, sunny days, and bushwhacking–not to mention a flat tire on their ride. So sit back, tune in, and get ready to add a trip to Nevada to your bucket list!

There are not a lot of firsts left to be done in the world of trail running, but recently Jasmin Paris accomplished just that by becoming the first woman to finish the Barkley Marathons. Tune in to hear about her training for this infamously difficult race as well as what she did differently on this, her third time there. She also shares her passion for protecting the places we run and the actionable steps she’s taken from co-founding the Green Runners to limiting her airborne travel to races. We also take a dive into the mental aspects of training and recovery as well as what it’s like to be an icon for women in sports. Tune in and prepare to be inspired! Big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

What route has tea houses, prayer flags, yak jams and is all above 3,000 meters? Join host Heather Anderson on today's episode to travel Nepal's Namche Bazaar to Everest Basecamp route with Rachel Boim. This direct route is well-traveled and only has a few technical sections, but plenty of other obstacles...including the four-legged kind.  Hear all about how Rachel completed the 72K roundtrip in just over 17 hours, spurred on by the reward of pizza and beer if she made it back in time! In addition to her supported adventure to and from EBC, Rachel shares her training, how altitude affects her, and what prompted her to begin setting mountain FKTs.  Big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

In this week’s episode, we’re traveling across 4 state borders with Meg Landymore. She recently set the women’s unsupported FKT for the AT Four State Challenge. This 43 mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail touches 4 states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Meg’s familiarity with the local-to-her route brought her within minutes of beating the women’s supported time despite a stressful week and lackluster start. While no stranger to FKTs this was the first time Meg broke a standing record. She and host Heather Anderson chat rocks, nutrition, navigation, and more.  Tune in to hear about this classic route as well as glean tips on how this busy career woman and mother makes time to hit the trail. You can follow Meg on Instagram @ mostxtremegirl_adventures for more. Big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

This week we’re traveling to a park where the trees have a name. The Joshua Tree National Park Traverse is a 37 mile long route in southern California. The park, eponymously named for the large yucca plants that grow there, is more well known as a rock climbing mecca than ultra-running scene. Yet within a few days of one another Darren Thomas and Jake Jackson both set records on this desert route. Darren recounts what went into setting a wicked fast self-supported time including his prep time (spoiler alert: it wasn’t as much as you’d think) and using a pending plane departure as motivation to keep moving. Jake takes things to a whole other level by completing the route out and back, besting every other unsupported effort for the double. He shares his water strategy and the lessons learned about how all bushes look alike when caching. Drop in to hear these guys chat all things trail with host Heather Anderson and find out more about the best desert trail you’ve never heard of.

In this week’s episode, host Heather Anderson is joined by ultrarunner and body positivity activist Callie Vinson to discuss her supported Maricopa Loop FKT. The Maricopa Loop is an urban trail system connecting all the major and municipal parks that ring the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Despite its accessibility, it is chock full of wild and remote trails and hits many incredible viewpoints along the way. Vinson shares her journey from someone who struggled to walk a mile a decade ago to losing 200 pounds and becoming the person who ran this 240 mile route in just over 4 days. Callie and Heather chat about a wide range of topics ranging from sleep-deprivation induced hallucinations to awkward conversations that happen when you’re jogging without a baby in your jogging stroller. Callie also talks about the importance of the trail running community to her and how her “open-call” method of arranging for crew and pacers led to a fantastic experience and new friendships. Drop in and be inspired!

There’s only one FKT that is over 7,000 miles long and takes seven and a half months to complete and in 2023 Billy Meredith crushed the self-supported record on it. The Triple Crown of Thru-Hiking consists of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Each of these is over 2,000 miles long. Attempting to complete them in one year is a rare feat known as the Calendar Year Triple Crown, or CYTC. Billy took the CYTC to the next level by setting out to establish an FKT in the process. Not only did he decide to tackle a gargantuan goal, but he chose a year with record breaking snowpack throughout the High Sierra of California and early winter storms on the Appalachian Trail.  Tune in to hear Billy and host Heather Anderson, who was the first woman to complete the CYTC, talk shop about long distance hiking, the Triple Crown, how to stay focused on the goal (Billy’s mantra: Remember Tomorrow) and the power of walking home. Billy’s story of determination, tenacity, and resilience on a mind-bogglingly huge route will inspire you to aim higher and go farther.

This week we’re traveling to Alabama to retrace Martin Luther King Junior’s march from Selma to Montgomery with Sika Henry. 59 years ago nonviolent activists marched between these two cities to protest segregation. Earlier this month Sika, the first Black female professional triathlete, ran this 51-mile historic route in 7 hours 6 minutes.  The granddaughter of a footballer denied admittance to the professional leagues due to race, Sika shares her remarkable and inspiring journey to Montgomery–as well as to professional athletics–despite a major accident. Her drive to return to triathlon after a horrific bike crash in order to bring attention to the lingering impacts of segregation in triathlon–and the full-circle moments of her Fastest Known Time–are empowering.  You can follow her on Instagram @ sikahenry Big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

Host Heather Anderson delves into Kristian Morgan's epic Appalachian Trail FKT, an endeavor filled with grit, determination, and unexpected challenges. Join us as we uncover the remarkable story of Kristian, who embarked on this daunting journey supported by an unlikely ally – his own mother, serving as his dedicated crew. Through numerous setbacks and restarts, listeners will be captivated by Kristian's unwavering resolve amidst one of the wettest years in the Northeast. Tune in as we explore the triumphs and tribulations of an extraordinary athlete's quest to conquer the legendary Appalachian Trail. Read more about Kristian's FKT here. Big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

Join host Heather Anderson on the latest FKT Podcast as she sits down with Ivey Smith. Despite battling injuries, Smith tackled the rugged 300 mile Benton MacKaye Trail, setting an unsupported Fastest Known Time. Along the way, she encountered unexpected wildlife and resisted the allure of trail angels, relying solely on her own determination. In this captivating interview, Smith shares her insights into overcoming challenges, staying focused, and embracing the solitude of this Appalachian Mountains trail. Read all about Ivey's adventures hereon the FKT site.  Big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

In this episode of the FKT Podcast, host Heather Anderson sits down with trail runner Suzanne "Sunny" Stroeer to dive into her remarkable achievement of setting the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim alt route. Sunny shares her journey, detailing the physical and mental challenges she faced along the way, and the strategies she employed to conquer one of America's most iconic trails which included swimming across the Colorado River. Listeners will be inspired by Sunny's perseverance, determination, and love for the outdoors as she recounts her unforgettable experience in the Grand Canyon. Tune in for an exhilarating discussion on pushing boundaries and chasing dreams in the world of trail running. And last but not least, big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

This week we’re traveling to the thin air and high alpine peaks of Colorado for a very special episode of the FKT Podcast. Last summer, not one, not two, not three, but four FKTs went down on the Colorado Trail within weeks of each other. All four women—Claire Bannwarth, Tara Dower, Nina Bridges, and Melinda McCaw—join host Heather Anderson to break down their incredible efforts.  The Colorado Trail snakes 500 miles from Denver to Durango, traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the state, including six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges. Runners and thru-hikers can elect to go east to west or vice versa. And with the option to stay low in the shadow of the Collegiate Peaks (Collegiate East) or traverse high across the backside (Collegiate West), there’s a total of four options. Add on top of that traveling in a supported, self-supported, or unsupported style, and FKTs abound on this iconic trail. Today’s guests ran the gamut, from Tara and Nina’s highly contested supported FKTs for the overall women’s record, to Melinda setting a new mark going supported in the same direction (east to west) but with the Collegiate West variant, to Claire’s mind-blowing self-supported mark going west to east. They break it all down on the podcast, divulging why they chose to go in these directions and styles, the logistics behind their attempts, the sleep deprivation, injuries, and gear malfunctions they overcame along the way, and why for at least some of them it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done. Don’t miss this masterclass on this classic trail! Follow Claire’s, Tara’s, Nina’s, and Melinda’si adventures on Instagram, and check out their performances on fastestknowntime.com.  And last but not least, big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

This week we’re thrilled to be joined by our two FKT athletes of 2023: Jenny Hoffman and Karel Sabbe. From not one but three Pacific Crest Trail records, to new FKTs on classics like Nolan’s 14 and the Paddy Buckley Round, to new mountaineering benchmarks on Mount Denali and Mount Blanc, 2023 was one for the history books. (Or more specifically, the record boards at fastestknowntime.com.) Our has jury voted, and this year Karel and Jenny were named FKT athletes of the year for their astonishing records on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Trans America run, respectively.  A physics professor at Harvard University, Jenny ran the 3,000 miles from San Fransico to New York City in 47 days, 12 hours, and 35 minutes–shattering Sanda Villines’s previous record by eight days. Equally busy as a dentist in Belgium, Karel returned to the PCT after setting the supported record there in 2016 to reclaim his FKT. And he succeeded, smashing Tim Olson’s record set in 2021 by over five days. Several months out from their record-breaking performances, Jenny and Karel join host (and fellow FKT of the Year nominee Heather Anderson) on the FKT Podcast to discuss their records, how recovery has been going, and of course—what’s next.  They discuss the similarities and differences on multi-week trail versus road efforts. All three lend insight into the importance of listening to the body after incredibly strenuous efforts. And they talk about the lessons they learned along the way. This episode is not to be missed! You can follow along with Jenny and Karel’s adventures on Instagram, check out their indepth interviews from these records on episodes 215 and 213, and read more about their FKTs on fastestknowntime.com. Congratulations to Jenny, Karel, all of our FKT of the Year nominees, and to everyone in the FKT community for another year of getting after it. Cheers to new adventures in 2024! And last but not least, big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

Ah Iceland, that magical polar island covered in glaciers, hot springs, lava fields, and…mosquitos. Christof Teuscher learned that the hard way this August when he traversed the island north to south on foot, without any aid, covering the 375-mile route in eight days, 11 hours, and four minutes. That was good enough for a new unsupported fastest known time, as Teuscher shaved an astonishing four and a half days off the benchmark set by Eli Burakian the year before.  Born in the alps of Switzerland and posted up in Oregon for the past 20 years as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Portland State University, Teuscher possesses both a quick and strong mind. He’s no stranger to epic endurance feats—last year, he completed the 1,000-mile Iditarod on foot—but the North-South Iceland Traverse tested him in unprecedented ways. While immersed in the ethereal beauty of the country, Teuscher contended with periods of 80-degree temps and stagnant air that brought out the fiercest bloodsuckers he’d ever encountered. Those stretches were followed by bone-chilling wet and cold that sent him into hypothermia. On top of that, by choosing to go unsupported, Teuscher had to carry all his supplies from start to finish on his back—including a wide array of layers for the ever-changing climate. The heavy pack wreaked havoc on his body in ways you may not have guessed. Go inside Teuscher’s epic feat this week on the FKT Podcast. Teuscher breaks down how meticulous planning allowed him to move as lightly and efficiently as possible. He covers the highest highs—yes, including covering Iceland’s remote interior highlands—and the lowest lows which extend far beyond the mosquitoes. (Hint: the lows involve roads.) Read more about Teuscher’s journey on fastestknowntime.com and on his website. And follow his adventures on Instagram. 

The Pacific Crest Trail was on fire this year, and not in the usual way. Records fell left and right on this iconic 2,592.6-mile long trail. And etching her name on the illustrious FKT holder list is Jessica Pekari, who set the women’s south-bound supported record in 63 days, seven hours, and 31 minutes. This record was a long-time coming for the veteran mother of three with Blackfeet and Mexican heritage. After completing the Triple Crown of 200-mile ultras in 2018, the former U.S. military medic turned her eyes to the west coast’s most iconic trail. She set out on an FKT attempt in 2020, but Mother Nature thwarted her plans.  Finally, on September 19, 2023, she touched the sign at the U.S.-Mexico border and her dream became a reality. Jessica joins fellow self-supported PCT FKT record holder and FKT Podcast host Heather Anderson on the podcast today to delve into her experience. The two provide unprecedented detail into what it takes to move light and fast on this long trail, and also what it’s like to write about their experiences. Jessica discloses how she problem solved on the fly, and how she copes with PTSD on the trail. Check out Jessica’s FKT on fastestknowntime.com. Read all about her 2020 FKT attempt in her book, Bombs to Trails: Interweaving Heritage, Life, and PTSD on the Pacific Crest Trail, and follow her adventures on Instagram. 

Jenny Hoffman has dreamed about running across the United States since she was a child. Spacing out in the car, she’d stare at the open road and think about how she could be running down it instead. The goal loomed over her life as she earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Harvard University in 1991, a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2003, and back in Boston as a professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard, where the mom of three and three-time 24-hour national champion still works.  Jenny finally acted on that dream in 2019, when she set off from San Francisco with aspirations of running all the way to New York City. At mile 2,560, 42 days into her journey and six days under record pace, a debilitating knee injury devastatingly cut her trip short in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite surgery, rehab, a global pandemic, and the pandemonium of work and family life, Jenny dreamed of finishing what she had started every single day. That day finally came on November 2, 2023, when Jenny reached the Atlantic Ocean lapping against Manhattan. She completed the 3,000-mile trek in just 47 days, 12 hours, and 35 minutes—besting Sandra Villines record of 54:16:24 by over a week. Go behind the scenes with Jenny on her astonishing run this week on the FKT Podcast. Discover why she ended up retracing her footsteps from 2019 instead of taking a different trans-continental route as she originally intended. Learn about life in a day while running 60-plus miles a day across the U.S. during corn harvest season. Jenny talks about the food that fueled her record, how she managed to journal every night, the critical roles her crew played, as well as the logistics of running point-to-point across mostly very rural stretches of the country. And discover Jenny’s takeaways about America after experiencing all facets of life across the vast, diverse country on the open road. Get all the data and daily write-ups from Jenny’s FKT on fastestknowntime.com. And follow her adventures (and academic work!) on her blog and on Instagram. 

For some FKTs, the beauty lies in the solitary nature of human and landscape. Other FKTs derive meaning from the collective effort needed for safe and successful passage. Hillary Geradi married the two on June 6, 2023, when she set the FKT on Mont Blanc, the 4,805-meter (15,766-foot) glaciated massif that looms above Western Europe. Gerardi, an American living just downvalley from Chamonix, France, and the fabled peak, dreamed of going fast on this mountain for years. The snowpack and weather finally aligned in early June, and Gerardi, supported by her hyper-coordinated team, traversed the 20-mile route with nearly 13,000 feet of climbing in 7:27:39, shaving 26 minutes off of Emelie Forsberg’s time from 2018. Today, Gerardi joins the FKT Podcast to break down this epic effort, including how safety considerations led her to take the alternative “Killian” route on the way up; the instrumental roles gear and a coordinated team played; and how she overcame a fundamental error in this record-breaking event.  Get more insight into Gerardi’s FKT on fastestknowntime.com, and follow her adventures on Instagram. Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com.  

On August 26, Karel Sabbe reached the U.S.-Canadian border, officially smashing the supported record on the Pacific Crest Trail. The 33-year-old dentist from Belgium covered the 2,600-mile-plus trail in just 46 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes—which was five days and four hours ahead of Timothy Olson’s mark of 51 days, 16 hours, and 55 minutes.  His secret to success? Not thinking about the old record.  “If you go into an FKT attempt with the current FKT in mind, you’re limiting yourself,” Sabbe said. “My goal was to get the best out of myself every day.” By shifting his mindset from what had been done before to what he believed he could do, Sabbe managed to average 58.1 miles and 9,000 feet of climbing a day, for 47 days straight—despite a record-breaking snowpack and cumbersome wildfire detour. Today, Sabbe joins the FKT Podcast to break down his FKT with previous self-supported record holder and podcast host Heather Anderson. Get the inside scoop on why he returned to the trail after setting an FKT here in 2016, the strategy with his minimal four-person crew, how he contended with the elements, and what fueled him on the trail. Plus, learn about his unconventional training style of running on average just eight hours a week in the lead-up to this massive effort, which entailed running many hours more than that each day. Read up on Sabbe’s seven FKTs on fastestknowntime.com, and follow his adventures on Instagram.  Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com. 

In 2019, Nick Fowler started touring national parks. He tricked himself into going on a 32-mile hike—his longest by far—when he wanted to touch a glacier with his hand in Glacier National Park. “The next day I couldn’t walk I was so sore,” Fowler says. “The day after that I thought, ‘That was awesome!” Just four years later Fowler set the self-supported record on the Pacific Crest Trail. Fowler joins FKT Podcast host Heather Anderson to connect the dots and explore what it took for Fowler to break none other than the record Anderson held for nine years. After learning about fastest known times in January of 2021, Fowler went all in. Perhaps too all-in. After discovering that supported PCT record holder Karel Sabbe runs for training, Fowler figured he’d run, too, and he’d run more. So Fowler started running, jacked up his mileage, and broke his foot. Things turned up after Fowler hired FKT legend Joe McConaughy to coach him, and he set the self-supported FKT Pacific Northwest Trail that fall.  Anderson’s self-supported PCT record astonishingly stood for nearly a decade. Some of the best thru-hikers and endurance athletes tried to crack it and failed, until last summer Josh Perry set a new self-supported PCT FKT by five days. Just one year later–and just three years after his foray into endurance sports began–Fowler once again lowered the mark. Unlike Anderson and Perry, Fowler started at the U.S.-Canada border and traveled south until he hit Mexico, covering the 2,592 miles in 52 days, nine hours, and 18 minutes to break Perry’s record by over three days. Get the full low down on the FKT Podcast—including the surprising (if also not entirely helpful) superpower Fowler brings with him on FKT attempts, his five whys, and why you have to love type II fun if you want to go after FKTs. Check out Fowler’s FKTs on fastestknowntime.com. And follow along with his adventures on Instagram.  Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com.  

America’s oldest long trail has been a hotbed for FKT action this summer, and record setters John Kelly and Will Peterson are here to dish all about it. On July 3, 2032, John Kelly established a new supported mark on the trail that traces the 249-mile length of Vermont. Just 24 days later, Will “Sisyphus” Peterson smashed the unsupported FKT. His time of four days, 11 hours and 34 minutes was only seven hours shy of Kelly’s incredibly stout supported mark. Today they join host and thru-hiking legend Heather Anderson to give their best beta on the trail, talk through the logistical challenges of pushing themselves on this notoriously rocky, rooty, and remote trail that nearly always gets barraged with storms during summer. The summer of 2023 was no exception. John started his attempt shortly after catastrophic flooding decimated much of northern Vermont. In fact, it had rained 24 days that month already. The weather during this effort was better—but not by much. Ever optimistic and resilient, John managed to turn that challenge into an opportunity.  Will completed his first year of Dartmouth Medical school in the spring, and what better way to celebrate than to go all-out by yourself on the trail?! While John had a crew with him the entire time, Will went solo, carrying a pack that weighed 33 pounds at the start. Tune in to learn about Will and John’s sleeping strategies on the trail, why they chose their respective FKT styles, and what they agreed to be the most surprisingly hardest part. Follow their adventures on Instagram over at @randomforestrunner and @_will.peterson. And get their full trip reports on fastestknowntime.com.  Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com.  

Escape the summer swelter for half an hour with Chris Fisher, who set the fastest known time on the Colorado Fourterneers—winter edition.  Completing Colorado’s 58 14,000-foot peaks in one push is a massive feat in itself. Taking on this challenge in winter adds a whole new level of daunting difficulty and complexity. Weather, avalanche risk, frostbite—the list of hurdles is endless. That’s probably why no one had even completed the feat in one winter until 2018, when Andrew Hamilton established a benchmark of 84 and a half days. Last winter, Fisher shaved 12 days off of Andrew Hamilton’s FKT, summiting all 58 peaks in 72 days, 12 hours, and 10 minutes. In doing so he become just the second person to complete this linkup during winter. Fisher joins host Heather Anderson on the FKT Podcast to disclose the logistical, physical, and psychological challenges associated with this effort, as well as how he overcame them. After you tune in, check out Fisher’s 17 FKTs on fastestknowntime.com, and follow along with his adventures on Instagram.  Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com.  

While the trail running world fixated on the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run in southwestern Colorado, David Hedges put down a performance for the ages a few hundred miles to the northwest in Colorado’s Sawatch Range. At only age 25, David completed the largely off-trail open route across the 14 14,000-foot peaks in 39 hours, six minutes, and 40 seconds. It’s the fastest time ever recorded on this strenuous 100-ish mile route with about 40,000 feet of climbing. David joins host Heather Anderson on the FKT Podcast to break down his prodigious effort. Discover how a kid growing up in Chicago grew fixated on mountain running and the Nolan’s 14 line specifically. Learn about his unconveniontal training regimine, how he assembled a crew at the last minute, and the pivotal experience on the route in 2018 that put Nolan’s on his horizon.  David chose to do Nolan’s in a supported style largely because Joey Campanelli’s unsupported FKT of 41 hours and 33 seconds is mindblowingly impressive and daunting. While Joey’s time stands as the unsupported FKT, David officially bested Alex Nichols’ 2018 supported FKT of 46:41:00. Check out David’s full Nolan’s recap on fastestknowntime.com. And follow along with his adventures on Instagram.  Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com. 

The 2023 Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run starts today. While three-time winner Darcy Piceu attempts her 10th loop around the San Juans, what better time than to listen to her and Trail Sisters founder and Hardrock board member Gina Lucrezi talk about the gender issues this sport faces. Thanks to the work of these two and other rockstars in the sport, this is the second running of this iconic 100-mile event in which the percentage of women’s entrants will be no less than the percentage of women’s lottery applicants.  Hardrock instituted this policy to combat the lottery’s gender bias, which favors veteran runners. Given the low percentage of women participants in those early days, this means the old lottery system favored male applicants. So sit back and join us as we revisit episode 36 (originally published May 31, 2019) where Darcy and Gina spoke about the challenges and opportunities to make the sport of ultrarunning more inclusive and equitable for women. Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com.   Original Show Notes Darcy Piceu and Gina Lucrezi share thoughts on this important topic. "We're in a real interesting time right now. If I do nothing else in the sport, it would be to raise awareness." This is a different conversation for Fastest Known Time, and quite worthwhile. Trail Sisters has established 5 recommended practices for races: Equal podium spots Equal prize money and awards Women's-specific swag (not just unisex) Menstrual products at aid stations (events over a Half Marathon) Opportunity for Women at the front of the Starting Line Citations from topics discussed in this episode www.trailsisters.net www.outsideonline.com/2312071/ultrar…gender-problem www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/opinio…ernity-leave.html time.com/5594356/alex-morgan-world-cup/

Let's try this again. Buckle up, fan favorite and FKT legend Jack Kuenzle returns to the pod to bring you behind the scenes on his recent Denali FKT. Kuenzle went on a skiing record tear this year, taking down FKTs on the volcanic 14ers Mount Shasta and Mount Rainier in America’s lower 48 before making the trek out to Alaska. And he’s here to dish about it all in his characteristically humorous fashion.  On June 5, 2023, Kuenzle skied up and down 20,310-foot Denali in 10 hours, 14 minutes, and 57 seconds, shaving 90 minutes off of Karl Egloff’s overall record from 2019, and 94 minutes off of Kilian Jornet’s ski record from 2014. While the progression looks nearly inevitable on paper, Kuenzle dedicated his life this year to giving his best effort on North America’s highest peak. He refused to sleep under 10,000 feet of elevation, sleeping in his truck on frigid mountain passes in California and Colorado all winter and spring. He skied laps in the trees to avoid California’s dangerous snowpack, and put in monster workouts on the Stairmaster in the gym.   Things didn’t get any easier once Kuenzle touched down in Alaska. Tune into this episode of the FKT Podcast to find out what happened to Kuenzle’s partner Zach McCarthy (don’t worry, he’s fine!), and how the most epic portion of the expedition arguably occurred after Kuenzle set the record. (And of course, he gives the blow-by-blow of the actual record, too.) Read all about Kuenzle’s Denali FKT (as well as his 22 other FKTs) on fastestknowntime.com. After setting the record on Denali, Kuenzle also worked hard to clean up the Denali page on the site, it is worth checking out. Follow along with Kuenzle’s adventures on Instagram. And if you missed our first two interviews with Kuenzle, you’re going to want to go back to episodes 165 and 193. Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com.  

Fresh off their Presidential Picnic FKT, highly accomplished hiker, backpacker, and ultra runner Aubri Drake joins the FKT podcast today. While Aubri, who uses they/them pronouns, says they’re not the fastest athlete, they’re certainly one of the toughest. Aubri has 20 FKTs to their name—none over easy terrain. Hailing from the east coast, Aubri gravitates towards grueling routes in the Whites and various mountain ranges in New York. As part of their ongoing New Hampshire 48 Grid project, they recently set the non-binary FKT on the Presidential Picnic—in which one completes the Presi Traverse and then bikes back to the start—on a cloudy, snowy day in April. The Grid requires you to hike all 48 4,000-foot plus peaks in the Whites, every month of the year. Their progress with that project along with completing projects like hiking the Northeast 110 4,000 footers in both winter and summer means Aubri is chock full of problem-solving strategies—many of which they share today. Tune in to learn about what inspires Aubri to tackle certain routes in certain styles. Aubri, who identifies as queer and non-binary, also shares wisdom about the power of representation and putting yourself out there. “I try not to let perfect be the enemy of good sometimes,” Aubri says on the podcast. “I've been inspired by Women Who FKT and the projects that they've been putting together to support and encourage women and non-binary people to get out there and go after FKTs just to get something on the board. And that's often what I'm doing. I know I can complete it. It's just a matter of how much time is it going to take me.” Follow along with Aubri’s adventures on Instagram and their incredible blog Transcending Mountains. And check out their two dozen FKTs on fastestknowntime.com. If you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com.  

Running legend Mike Wardian joins the FKT Podcast to give the inside scoop on his recent FKT across Panama—and much more. Clocking in at nine hours even, Wardian’s record across Panama doubles as the fastest run across any continent! From getting chased by dogs to running neck-in-neck with buses, Wardian chronicles the glory and the gory of traversing this route highly trafficked…by vehicles.  As evidenced by his Run Across Panama FKT, Wardian does not shy away from a physically, mentally, and logistically grueling challenge. Last summer, he ran across the US in just 62 days. He relives highlights from that trip on the podcast, including his celebratory 5K which he completed in just 18:42 the day after completing the 3,234-mile route. Wardian’s efforts raised over $100,000 for World Vision, a non-profit that helps families gain access to clean drinking water. An accomplished road and ultra runner who’s won marathons on all seven continents and numerous US championships, Wardian also has 25 FKTs to his name. In this episode, he shares what draws him to FKT culture and certain routes around the world. Wardian’s stories are as epic as his accomplishments; this episode is not to be missed!  Follow along with Wardian’s adventures on Instagram at @mikewardian and on his website www.mikewardian.com. Check out his numerous FKTs at www.fastestknowntime.com. And if you’re looking for a new shoe in which to test yourself on the trails, check out the MTL Skyfire 2, the ultra-lightweight, award-winning trail shoe from our friends at Merrell Test Lab. Thank you so much, Merrell, for supporting the show and fastestknowntime.com! See what all the buzz is about at www.merrell.com. 

Living “wilderness running” legend Doug McKeever joins the podcast this week to reflect on his nearly four decades in the sport. A geology professor and mountain guide in addition to a storied ultrarunner, McKeever’s tackled nearly every iconic 100-mile race in the world and recorded three FKTs in the ‘80s and ‘90s, including a speed record on Washington’s Glacier Peak. But he’s best known for serving as a groundbreaking persona and immutable fixture in the Washington trail running scene. He co-founded the iconic Chuckanut 50K race in 1993 as a way to share some of his favorite local training trails with friends. And after a decade away from the sport, he made a comeback to racing in 2017 when he realized he had more to give.  Find out what happened when he ran an ultra off of no training, and soak up some of his wisdom and reflections about the sport we all love so much this week on the FKT Podcast. And check out fastestknowntime.com to get McKeever’s “speed record” reports from 30-plus years ago. And a huge thank you to Merrell Test Lab for supporting the show and the site. Check out the MTL Skyfire 2—Merrell’s newest, lightest, and fastest trail running shoe—over at merrelltestlab.com.

Washington has the Bulgers. Colorado has the Centennials. California has the Sierra Peaks Section List—and it has a new FKT. Established in 1955, the Sierra Peaks Section List may not have the snazziest name but it may be one of the oldest, largest, and most compelling peak bagging objectives in the lower-48. Spanning 247 mountains across California and Nevada, the SPS is not for the faint of heart. It requires the motivation needed to speed-hike a long trail combined with deep backcountry and rock climbing skills. No one had completed the SPS in a calendar year, until July 9, 2022, when Nathan Longhurst tagged his last peak on the 139th day. A month later, his friend and adventure partner Travis Soares shaved 21 days off his record. While Soares technically holds the record now, the two worked together to achieve this monumental feat. “I do have the fastest time, but this would not have been completed without Nathan and I totally consider it our journey and our effort,” Soares says. “We weren't really racing, like pushing each other down, trying to get to the top of the stuff first. It was just a magnificent journey the two of us embarked on. And I’m grateful to be able to share it with this guy.” Soares and Longhurst say their styles in the mountains lifted each other up. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t encounter many challenges along the way. Both Soares and Longhurst joined host Heather Anderson on the FKT Podcast to dish out exactly how they succeeded, and all the juicy details of what happened along the way. Tune in to get the story. Get their full trip reports on fastestknowntime.com, and follow along with Longhurst’s and Soares’ adventures on Instagram. 

One hundred and ninety-eight episodes later, Alyssa Godesky returns to discuss her most recent mind-bending beat: setting the overall supported FKT on the New Hampshire 4,000 Footers.  That sneaky northern New England state boasts 48 peaks above 4,000 feet, and speed trips for tagging them all in one push go back to at least the 1970s. With the Adirondack 46 and the Long Trail supported FKTs under her belt, Godesky realized the NH 48 was the last big northern east coast challenge left for her to tackle.  Three days, eight hours, and 56 minutes of driving and running around the Whites later, Godesky met her goal. And she smashed the women’s and men’s records in the process. Godesky attributes her success to playing to her strengths. And for these big, logistically and geographically complicated projects, you’re strengths have to extend well beyond foot speed.  “I really like maps,” Godesky explains. “I look at a lot of the maps. So when I'm starting to dive into a project like this, I get all the maps that I can and start laying them out and just start to make a lot of options. I have at any time a million different routes for the same peaks going on Gaia [GPS]...I'm kind of just always throwing spaghetti at the wall for lack of like a better way to say it, and just kind of brainstorming different routes, and then I will go out and try different ones when I'm scouting certain things.” Tune into the episode to get a behind-the-scenes look into the strategizing Godesky and her team put into this attempt. Learn about the differences between Adirondack and White Mountain trail culture, including which set of mountains requires an earlier start to get a parking spot. Hear about the worst thing to go wrong during those four days on the trail. And find out Godesky’s dream event that really inspired her to go after this FKT. Follow along with Godesky’s exploits on Instagram, and check out her FKT report on fastestknowntime.com. 

What’s it like to set an FKT on the heels of a six month thru-hike? Cal Swartzentruber joins the FKT Podcast to dish it out. Fresh off completing the Pacific Crest Trail—Cal’s first of thru-hike of a Triple Crown trail—Cal returned to his local trails of the south last October. That thru-hiking fitness paid off. Completing the Sheltowee Trace in an unsupported style, Cal broke not only the unsupported record, but also the supported record (by 32 minutes!) on the 319-mile trail.   Climbing between deep hemlock gorges and piney, craggy summits, the Sheltowee Trace is National Recreation Trail spanning the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee. The name “Sheltowee” refers to Daniel Boone, who was captured by Shawnee Indians while making salt in an area close to the present-day trail. Chief Blackfish, his adopted Shawnee father, renamed him Sheltowee, which means “Big Turtle.” Cal, who considers himself more of a hiker than a runner, is a testament to the fact that you can succeed at FKTs from all types of backgrounds. He wisely chose both a trail he’s familiar with, having thru-hiked it in 2019, and terrain he’s called him for his whole life. Tune into Cal’s conversation with host Heather Anderson to learn how Cal channeled his fitness from the PCT into this seven-day FKT. Learn about the challenges of hiking on the east coast during the fall, how Cal contended with an unusual animal obstacle on the trail, and the evolving nature of the Sheltowee Trace and what that could mean for future FKT attempts.  Keep up with Cal on Instagram, and read his full trip report on fastestknowntime.com.

For our 200th (!) episode, we’re jumping across the pond to catch up with Finlay Wild, Scottish resident and recent Paddy Buckley record-setter. A doctor with a passion for painting, Finlay shares his vast insight and skill on all things fell running, UK rounds, and the UK at large. With nine FKTs to his name, Finlay’s most iconic feats include the Cuillin Ridge Traverse on the Isle of Sky, the Tranter variant of the Ramsay Round, and his most recent feat: setting the unsupported record on the Paddy Buckley, Wale’s premiere round. After completing the other two rounds in the “Big Three,” Finlay chose to finish with a fast attempt on the Buckely—the longest and perhaps gnarliest of them all. He clocked the 47 summits, 100 plus kilometers, and 28,000 feet of elevation gain in 15 hours, 14 minutes and 45 seconds to record-setting fanfare. While Finlay completed his attempt in an unsupported style, carrying all his nutrition and gear on his back and only collecting water from streams along the way, he also smashed the supported record by over an hour. Unlike many (if not most) other FKT routes, the Buckley—whose route is a true circle—lets you choose your start point. Tune in to the FKT Podcast to learn why Finlay started at a nondescript bus stop in Llanberis. You’ll also get the inside scoop on just how grassy, rolling, boggy, and pathless much of this round can be, along with some of the storied history behind the iconic route.  Get to know Finlay beyond his running, including how a setback led to him finding a passion for art. And learn how Finlay captures the soul of UK landscapes in his paintings.  Read up on all of Finlay’s FKTs on fastestknowntime.com, and check out his artwork and blog on his website gomountaingoats.com. 

Jeff Garmire dreamed about going after the unsupported John Muir Trail FKT for three years. In fact, he got three permits for the trail just this summer. Each time, self doubt led him to cancel the next day. But then Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy shaved three hours off of four-year-old record in the beginning of August. “[Stringbean] setting the record was really the push I needed to go give it a shot,” Garmire says. “[The record] just seemed untouchable since it hadn't been broken since 2018. And Joe breaking it was like, all right, I'll just go out there and give it my best shot. And so [Stringbean breaking the record] just made it feel more attainable even he made the time more difficult to attack.”  Armed with his newfound confidence, Garmire set out from Yosemite Valley three weeks after Stringbean. And three days and 223 miles later he proved himself right—with a whopping 13 minutes to spare.  Both Garmire and Stringbean traveled southbound along the JMT, also called the Nüümü Poyo, or “the People’s trail” in homage to a centuries-old Indigenous trade route through the Sierra. Ending with summiting 14,505 feet tall Mount Whitney, traveling north to south is generally considered the “harder” direction. Yet both Garmire and Stringbean broke not only the southbound record but the overall record as well. They didn’t pick the “harder” as part of their speed strategy. Tune into the FKT Podcast to find out why, along with the rest of Garmire’s insight into his award-winning outing. Get the full story on all the things that went wrong, including why he only ate about half of his food. And last but not least, get the answer the one question host Heather Anderson–and us all–are dying for him to answer.  Read Garmire’s full JMT report—along with those for his 18 other FKTs—on fastestknowntime.com. And follow along with his adventures on Instagram.

Fresh off her course record at Bandera, Courtney Dauwalter returns to shed insight into yet another of her outstanding performances of late: setting the overall FKT on the Collegiate Peak Loop.  Many have tried to throw down on this 160-mile link up of the Colorado Trail’s east and west alts through the Sawatch mountains. And many have failed. Armed with the power of familiarity—she can essentially access the Collegiate Peak loop from her front door in Leadville—a stellar crew, and a spirit of curiosity, Dauwalter blazed around the loop in one day, 16 hours, and 14 minutes, shaving over 31 hours off of Annie Hugh’s female supported FKT and over six hours off of Nick Pedatella’s overall supported FKT. “Our mindset going into it was very excited to try it and to give it our best. But also we knew that no matter how it shook out or what it would take to come back from any problems, we were going to finish it,” Dauwalter says. “I wasn't just thinking of the FKT or the time. I was enjoying being out there, enjoying moving with my feet and just seeing what happened.” On this episode of the FKT Podcast, Dauwalter explains the appeal of this mountainous, remote FKT—her first official record in the books. She gets into her problem-solving strategies for when things got tough, both mentally and phsically. (Hint: they involve mantras and lots of snacks.) And Dauwalter shares what it means to her to join the ranks of FKT holders. The queen of not only speed and endurance but also consistency, Dauwalter dishes out tips on recovering from big efforts like a 160-mile run at high altitude. “Oftentimes after a hundred mile race or some big project, my legs will feel pretty good fairly quickly. But I'll notice a general mental fatigue,” Dauwalter explains. “My brain is tired because there's so much brain effort put into these physical feats. So I'll pay attention to that. I’ll really assess every day how I'm feeling, like where am I at mentally with coming back to feeling normal and excited again. And I use that to gauge when I might be ready to go after another big thing.” While Dauwalter’s accomplishments speak for themselves, she attributes her success to those around her. Members of the Leadville community, the ultrarunning community at large, her husband Kevin, and men’s record holder Pedatella supported Dauwalter on this effort. She explains why this collaborative spirit is required to excel at these types of outings—and why camaraderie makes them so meaningful.  “It’s less about the record,” Dauwalter says. “And more about people just being psyched to elevate each other and do cool routes.” Check out Dauwalter’s FKT on fastestknowntime.com. And keep up with her adventures and snacking strategies on Instagram.

For the first time ever, we put FKT of the Year nominations in your hands. You, the community, decided which athletes put down efforts on routes of all lengths and with all degrees of support that deserve to be in contention for FKT of the Year. Our panel voted from that list, and host Heather Anderson is here to announce the top 10 winners. While we awarded honors to five men and five women, we took efforts from athletes of all genders into consideration, as well as efforts by teams. Needless to say, the competition was exceedingly steep this year. Perhaps the stiffest ever? Comparing efforts on routes spanning from under an hour to several months, across the globe, and in all styles is inherently a near-impossible task. We are blown away by you all! Tune in to hear Heather count down the winners, and to get insight, analysis, and stories from some of the athletes honored. Congratulations to all of our winners, nominees, athletes who set FKTs, and athletes who attempted FKTs. And thank you all for being part of and supporting our vibrant, tenacious community. You all inspire us! Cheers to an incredible year.

There may be no better way to celebrate 2022 than through the eyes of Andrea Sansone. Smashing records on Nolan’s 14, 24 hours of Colorado 14ers, and the Manitou Incline—on paper, Sansone’s year could not have gone better. But the year did not start auspiciously. Tune in to learn how Sansone went from dealing with a broken foot to breaking records. Read Sansone's FKT write-ups on fastestknowntime.com, and follow her and her partner Andrew Hamilton’s adventures on their joint Instagram account.

Just before 9 pm on Sunday, August 7, a 27-year-old British hiker with no fixed home arrived at his destination. The destination was the Canadian border, a stone pillar he walked 2,600 miles in 55 days, 16 hours, and 54 minutes to reach. His name was Josh Perry, and he had just smashed the male self-supported PCT.  Perry shaved by nearly 10 days off of Scott Williamson’s FKT set in 2009. Even more impressively, Perry cut five days off the overall self-supported record set by the legendary Heather “Anish” Anderson in 2013—a record countless numbers have tried and failed to crack over the past decade. In a conversation for the ages, Perry joins Anderson to discuss how he managed this iconic feat. Perry encountered the hurdles that inevitably come with the PCT these days: wildfires, closures, and reroutes. He contended with heatstroke. But Perry faced an even greater challenge: his own mind. Despite following the rules of a self-supported effort—mailing himself supplies in advance, withholding from car rides or help of any kind—Perry came within four days of Timothy Olson’s high-profile and highly supported FKT. It’s an unbelievable accomplishment that Perry may consider a failure.  Tune in to learn why Perry is so dissatisfied with his achievement, and for a philosophical discussion about whether any of us ever are actually satisfied. Plus read Perry’s FKT writeup on fastestknowntime.com, and follow his adventures on Instagram. 

Last spring, Katie Brown notched her first FKT—the self-supported record on the Arizona Trail. She broke the long-standing record of Heather Anderson, who Katie joins today on the FKT Podcast to break down all things AZT.  The emergency room nurse from Utah first attempted the notoriously challenging trail in 2019. Storms scared her away. She returned for redemption in May 2022. Graced with good weather, some well-timed trail magic, and most importantly an indomitable spirit, Katie hiked the 800+ miles over Arizona in 17 days, 19 hours, and 52 minutes—nearly two days faster than Heather’s record from 2016. While new to FKTs, Katie has been thru-hiking since 2012. The miles under feet clearly paid off, even if she’s had to adjust her strategy. On her first thru-hike, Katie’s pack weighed 40 pounds. She returned to the AZT with just seven pounds on her back. Tune in to learn how Katie whittled her pack down to the absolute bare minimum, and the risks she took in the process. The two past and present AZT record holders also talk about training, and how consistency, durability, and rest supersede speed and volume when preparing for these long trail attempts. They trade strategies for staving off boredom and self-doubt. And Katie shares how a little luck married with a pinch of problem-solving allowed her to forge ahead after rodents shredded her pack straps to bits.  Get Katie’s full FKT report on fastestknowntime.com. And keep up with her adventures on Instagram.  

In July, Jack Kuenzle flew to the UK and bought a camper van. The 27-year-old didn’t want to squander the mandatory three months of car insurance. It’s safe to say he did not. In case you lived under a rock (or simply in a camper van) all summer, Jack set FKTs on a variant of the Ramsay Round and the Bob Graham Round—two of the most iconic routes not only in the UK, but on the planet. Etching his name on the Bob Graham required Jack besting the GOAT of ultra and trail running Kilian Jornet. In the meticulous scouting, spreadsheet-scouring fashion of a former Navy SEAL, Jack blew Kilian’s time off the hilltops by over 28 minutes. Tune in to the latest episode of the FKT Podcast to get the play-by-play of the “dramatic rollercoaster” those 12 hours, 23 minutes, and 48 seconds held—as well as the aftermath. “My whole life, I’ve compared myself to Kilian,” Jack says on the podcast. “It was honestly very strange to beat his time. This doesn’t really count. If you want to try and compare yourself to Kilian, you have to go race Kilian on the same terms.”  Jack and Kilian approached the Bob Graham quite differently, and they contended with dramatically different conditions during their attempts. But those nuances are what make FKTs so intriguing. Recording your best effort on a route requires so many more variables than a race, where everyone copes with the same conditions on the same day. FKTs layer in unique levels of scouting, strategy, and soul-searching that expand the skillset required to excel.  In addition to that internal skillset, going after records like the Bob Graham requires a tremendous amount of community building. Jack sheds light on just how essential support from local runners proves in these supported round attempts. He also opens up about managing anxiety-induced insomnia. And Jack explains why he eschewed the traditional Ramsay Round—commonly considered Scotland’s premier route—for the lesser-known Tranter variant.  Back across the Atlantic in June, Jack set the FKT on the White Mountains 100, a 104-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail through some of New Hampshire’s rockiest, rootiest, gnarliest terrain. Classified as “probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” at the time, Jack reevaluates that assessment after his summer in the UK.  If you missed it, scroll back through the archives to episode 165, Jack’s first interview on the FKT Podcast. And keep up with Jack’s relentless adventures on Instagram, his sporadic uploads to Strava, and his ever-growing list of FKTs on fastestknowntime.com. 

What better way to explore a new place than by foot? After moving from Oregon to Asheville, North Carolina, at the beginning of the year, Julie Wallace started learning about her new home by scouring fastestknowntime.com. Her objective was simple – find local FKTs that don’t have a woman’s time. And then get after it and put a time down! This strategy led Julie to setting the first woman’s known time on the Shining Rock Wilderness Ridge, a 17-mile out-and-back that traverses a spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains. That seven-hour endeavor taught Julie quite a bit about her new home, including just how steep, technical, and slow-going the Appalachians can be. On this episode of the FKT Podcast, Julie and host Heather Anderson get into the dramatic differences between West and East Coast trail running. Julie, who’s nearing 50, also opens up about how she’s not letting regret from getting into the FKT scene earlier hold her back from tearing it up now. With her first solo FKT freshly under her belt, Julie shares what it took to make that leap into the unknown. She and Heather also shine a light on the surge of women entering the FKT scene, in part thanks to Women Who FKT.  Get the full lowdown on Julie’s Shining Rock Wilderness FKT on fastestknowntime.com. And keep up with her adventures on Instagram.

The Moab 240 starts today! As intrepid athletes embark on their multi-day journeys across the desert, catch up with the race director herself Candice Burt. Candice not only founded the Moab 240, she helped popularize the 200+ mile foot race distance. On this episode of the FKT Podcast, Candice and host Heather Anderson chat about all things ultra-ultra distance racing. They get into the vast disparities between the 100-mile and 200-mile race distances, and how each requires specific strategies and skillsets. Candice also dishes the scoop on her new 200-mile race in Arizona and why she’s so attracted to its particular desert scape. With four Arizona Trail FKT attempts under her belt, Candice opens up about how her last attempt led to a revelation: striving for a time goal on that particular trail was not serving her. “Once I got out there, I realized that the pressure of having a certain time goal took away from the experience,” Candice says. “The time wasn't as important to me as having the experience on the trail. So it was kind of a cool shift that I made. It made me less competitive, but it increased my joy of the whole experience.” Candice replays the dramatic ending to her last AZT record attempt, which involved saving someone from a burning car. Read up on Candice’s FKTs on fastestknowntime.com, keep up with her adventures on Instagram, and check out her iconic 200+ mile races on Destination Trail.

The Wainwrights 214 represents the 214 fells chronicalled in Alfred Wainwright’s seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. Many British walkers aim to summit all 214 peaks in their lifetimes. The less sane attempt to summit them all in one continuous round. On May 7, 2022, John Kelly solidified his place in the later category by completing a continuous round of the Wainwrights – setting the record in the process. His time of five days, 12 hours bested Sabrina Verjee’s record by 11 hours. Yes, we’re using “record” strategically here. Fell runners, the colloquial term for trail runners in the Lake District of the UK where the Wainwrights 214 takes place, have their reasons. Tune into the latest episode of the FKT Podcast to find out why. Kelly and host Heather Anderson unpack the logistical quagmire of linking together the summits and viewpoints that make up the Wainwrights 214 in the most efficient line while factoring in the weather and ground conditions. Haunted by sleep deprivation issues on big efforts in the past, Kelly discloses how he overcame that challenge this time. Kelly, an American who lived in the UK for the past two years, explains the unique beauty of the fell running community, and the collaborative effort required in these round record attempts.  A data scientist and father of four, Kelly also opens up about how he balances his various athletic goals with each other, along with the rest of his life. Kelly also makes the case for why everyone should attempt these iconic routes, whether they are going for the record or not. Get Kelly’s full trip report from the Wainwrights and his other records on fastestknowntime.com. And keep up with him on Instagram. 

A fever forced Alyssa Clark to forgo her early April race, so a few weeks later she put her fitness to use and set an FKT on Mount Whitney instead. Alyssa didn’t just set any FKT, she went after the self-supported record on the mountaineer’s route from the town of Lone Pine. The 33-mile out-and-back involves a 12-mile road climb, a couloir filled with snow, and fourth-class scrambling before tagging the 14,505-foot summit, turning around, and repeating it all again in reverse.  What inspired Alyssa to supplant a running race with such a mixed terrain FKT? Alyssa and host Heather Anderson get into it on this episode of the FKT Podcast. Alyssa also shares the gear she used for the route, and where she cached various items and resupplies. A teacher, Alyssa talks about the inspiration she derives from her students, and how one simple trick — turning off her headlamp — helped her find motivation on that long road climb well before the sun came up. And last but not least, Alyssa sends out a rallying cry: women, submit your FKTs! Representation matters. Alyssa may or may not have even convinced Heather to submit a few more, tune in to find out. Get Alyssa’s full FKT write-up, and check out her supported FKT on the Pinhoti Trail over at fastestknowntime.com. And keep up with Alyssa’s adventures on Instagram. 

Longer routes tend to get most of the love, but shorter FKTs can require just as much planning, practice, and persistence. In fact, dare we say shorter FKTs can be just as notable?  Mountain athlete Kyle Richardson certainly won’t weigh in on that debate, but his records throughout the Boulder, Colorado area speak for themselves. Loyal listeners may remember Kyle from episode six of this podcast, when we discussed his FKT on the LA Freeway, a 16-hour off-trail epic along the Indian Peaks skyline above Boulder. The LA Freeway is short compared to a long trail like the AT. But Kyle holds even shorter records. The fastest “scrambler” in Boulder, Kyle set FKTs on the most iconic routes in Boulder’s fabled flatiron rock formations, including the First Flatiron and the “Quinfecta,” a scrambling link-up of Flatirons One through Five. Both of these records require precision maneuvering the fifth-class terrain of the flatirons themselves, as well as endurance running up the steep hills and nimbleness descending the technical terrain and buffed-out trails. In August 2020, Kyle set the record on Longs Peak, the 14,255-foot behemoth that towers above the front range. The fastest way requires a mixture of on and off-trail running and fifth-class scrambling up the Cables Route, a 5.4 granite rock face that, as its name implies, once held cables to assist climbers up the peak. On July 22, 2021, Kyle set the FKT on Green Mountain, the home hill he runs nearly every day – 711 times to date. All of these records may create the illusion that these FKTs came easily. Kyle argues that is not at all the case. Each required years of practice, meticulously learning every handhold on the rock and repeating the routes over and over to learn the quickest lines. In fact, Kyle at his ripe old age of 26 has gone up the First Flatiron 356 times. He summited Longs 50 times before his record-setting run – including 13 times just that summer.  Tune in to this episode of the FKT Podcast to hear host Heather Anderson’s take on FKTs that could not be more different than the ones for which she’s known. Kyle shares his philosophy around the daily practice of running up his home hill and learning a landscape intimately. Plus, learn how Kyle, a professional musician, uses his movement in the mountains to inform his music. Fun fact, Kyle created the music for this podcast!  Read the trip reports for all of Kyle’s FKTs over at fastestknowntime.com. Keep up with his adventures on Instagram, and check out his film, Tempo, which explores his relationship between movement and music. 

April 28, 2022, 5:55 pm: Ella Bredthauer reached Springer Mountain, the terminus of the Benton MacKaye trail. Ella’s shuttle, which she had scheduled before setting off on the trail eight days before, arrived five minutes later – right on time. Ella’s uncanny punctuality belies the ordeals she faced in setting the fastest known self-supported time on the 288-mile trail. First, Ella had to get over her fear of hiking solo in the dark. (Nightlife encounters with feral pigs and big shiny eyes didn’t help.) Then there was loneliness from only seeing three people over the final six or so days. And finally, Ella succumbed to crippling nausea from powering her way up and down the Appalachian's steep and rocky, hot and muggy slopes.  Learn how Ella overcame these obstacles on the latest episode of the FKT Podcast. Ella and host Heather Anderson, who has completed the Benton MacKaye trail herself, dig into night hiking strategies. They discuss the challenges of charging all of your electronic devices while trying to set a multi-day record. And they shed light on just how remote and empty the Benton MacKaye feels compared to the overlapping Appalachian Trail.  To run or not to run? Ella and Heather get into that, too. Plus, Ella divulges the backpacking gear she can’t hike without, as well as the one critical gear error she made on this record-setting journey. Read Ella’s full write-up and check out her photos on fastestknowntime.com. And keep up with her adventures on Instagram.

Toxic water, wind storms, poisonous gas – Death Valley lives up to its name. Or at least that’s what Cameron Hummels learned while attempting the 160-mile Death Valley North to South Crossing in February.  And yet, Cameron smashed the FKT. Cameron traversed the national park in this FKT’s characteristic unsupported, entirely off-trail style in three days, 23 hours, and 54 minutes – four minutes ahead of his arbitrary goal, and three days faster than the previous mark set by Roland Banas. But those four days were over two years in the making. Cameron, an astrophysicist postdoctoral fellow who spends most of his days using computer simulations to model how galaxies form and evolve, applied that scientific rigor to the FKT research process. To blow the previous FKT out of the water, Cameron knew he would have to treat water differently than his predecessors. Namely, Cameron would have to rely on water sources along the way rather than carry all his hydration needs on his back from the start. Research led Cameron a century into the past, where he unearthed a U.S. Geological Survey report from 1909, “Some desert watering places in southeastern California and southwestern Nevada.” On his many recon trips, Cameron hiked to potential watering holes described in the book. Sometimes he’d find a muddy puddle less than an inch deep. Sometimes he’d find just dry ground. Cameron collected water samples from these far from pristine sources and sent them away for testing. The results were not encouraging. But Cameron decided to try the uranium and arsenic-laced water from the safety of his home anyway, reasoning that drinking a small amount of water with five-times the FDA-approved arsenic limit wouldn’t kill him. He felt sick for months. Tune in to this episode of the FKT Podcast to learn Cameron’s solution to making these water sources at least somewhat potable. Discover what it’s like to get trapped in a haboob – an airborne wall of wind storm – as well as to traverse a salt swamp and suffer from visual, auditory, and olfactory hallucinations. Plus, find out whether Cameron manages to convince host Heather Anderson to go after his record. Get the full-low down on Cameron’s FKT, along with his stunning desert imagery, over on fastestknowntime.com. And follow Cameron on Instagram. 

Last fall, Art Brody set the unsupported record on the Arizona Trail. Yes, the unsupported record. This means he traversed over 800 miles of desert, mountains, and canyons with absolutely no outside help. No trail magic beer. No water from caches. No food resupplies, or the reassurance of picking up new gear if something breaks. He even had to pack out all of his trash. The hurdles associated with this unsupported attempt began before Art even started. Just to step foot on the trail, Art had to shoulder his 87-pound pack.  Given the logistical, physical, and psychological challenges associated with unsupported FKTs on long trails, it is perhaps not surprising that Art’s AZT record might also be a record for the longest unsupported thru-hike ever. How did Art accomplish this feat? And, perhaps more importantly, why? On this episode of the FKT Podcast, Art hashes it all out with host Heather Anderson – a former AZT self-supported record holder herself. They trade notes on their record-setting styles, tales of questionable water sources, and wildlife encounters along the way.  Art explains how a hiccup before he even started led to a cascading chain of events on the trail…including essentially running out of food. Tune in to get the full inside scoop, including why Art found it worthwhile to carry a second pair of trail running shoes in his already back-breakingly heavy pack.  Follow Art’s adventures on Instagram, and get his full trip report over on fastestknowntime.com.

It’s no secret that the FKT craze has skyrocketed over the past few years. What started as a niche concept relegated to the most quirky of already quirky mountaineers and thru-hikers has spread to every corner of the earth, garnering mainstream attention and sponsor support along the way. Here to talk about the challenges and opportunities that arise with this change is someone who’s lived that transformation himself. AT and PCT record-setter Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy joins host and fellow AT and PCT record-setter Heather “Anish” Anderson to discuss the growing pains that come with FKTs going “mainstream"...among other things. Follow Joe (@thestring.bean) and Heather (@_wordsfromthewild_) on Instagram. Want to hire Joe as your coach? Check out his website: https://thestringbean.co.

You’re in for a treat this week with not one but two AT record holders! Fresh off her Pinhoti Trail self-supported record, Liz “Mercury” Derstine sits down with host Heather “Anish” Anderson to talk all things record-breaking on the east coast. Liz delves into why she was more intimidated by the 348-mile Pinhoti Trail through Alabama and Georgia than by embarking on the entire Appalachian Trail. She dishes out the challenges she faced on the Pinhoti Trail, and how she managed to surmount them to break Katherine Baird’s self-supported record by three days. And of course, these two AT queens trade notes from Liz’s supported AT record and Heather’s self-supported one.  Get Liz’s full trip report for the Pinhoti Trail over at fastestknowntime.com. And keep up with Liz (@pinkfeathers) and Heather (@_wordsfromthewild_) on Instagram.

We’ve got a juicy episode for you today. Host Heather Anderson catches up with Witt Wisebram, who’s going after the self-supported FKT on the PCT…a record currently held by Heather herself. Will Heather dish out all of her secrets? Tune in to find out! Witt, a triple crowner who’s also raced iconic ultra events like the Cocadona 250, dives into how he straddles the line between thru-hiking and ultrarunning. Does that mean he trained for the PCT? No. But he’s got an arguably good reason as to why not. And finally, Witt explains what on earth the moniker in his Instagram bio – “ridgerunner” – means. Thank goodness. Turns out, “ridgerunning” refers to Witt’s job with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that preserves and manages the AT. For months on end, Witt patrols a section of the AT from Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, to the northern boundary of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Spending months walking back and forth along the trail in all types of elements, maintaining the trail, and serving as a wilderness first responder, Witt provides unique insight into trail use, conservation, and gratitude for his upcoming journey. Cheer Witt on during his attempt over at @yung.chattahoochee on Instagram and track his progress over at fastestknowntime.com.

Welcome to the brand new iteration of the FKT Podcast, hosted by the one and only Heather “Anish” Anderson! As a record-setter on the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Triple Crown of Thru-Hiking, Heather brings a trove of insight to share with you about what goes into pushing ourselves to the limit. And she harnesses her gift as an author and speaker to guide us on a journey into the heart and soul of this sport. In this episode, get to know the human behind the records and books. Heather also talks with Regional Editor Alex Bond to go over Outside’s new ownership of fastestknowntime.com. They answer your most pressing questions about how the website works and what this change in ownership means for the present and future of all things FKT. Plus, enjoy the pod's new beats created by FKT-holder and musician Kyle Richardson! Follow Heather on Instagram at @_wordsfromthewild_, Alex at @alexjaybond, and Kyle at @kylerichardson. FKT season is heating up. Follow along with the action over at fastestknowntime.com.

BIG NEWS: We have sold Fastest Known Time to Outside Inc, the publisher of iconic magazines such as Trail Runner, Climbing, Backpacker and of course Outside. Buzz, Peter and Jeff are very happy with what we created, and are very grateful to all of you that have cared and supported our work so that it is now an integral part of the sport of running, utilized by a worldwide community. Most importantly, the community itself will be very happy to know that Outside is bringing a massive amount of knowledge, passion, and resources to greatly improve the services and features of this website, in a way we could not do. This is great news! In next week’s podcast you will hear directly from folks on the Outside team who care deeply about our community. As trail runners, backpackers, and multi-sport athletes themselves, they’re passionate about maintaining (even improving!) our governing and record-keeping processes while applying their backend expertise to make our web-based experiences and features even better. Stay tuned. So this week's podcast is a special wrap-up. It’s our longest ever, but we had fun stories to tell and many great people wanted to share their thoughts directly with you. Enjoy! Peter and Buzz Why did this all get going anyway? "Outside is a perfect fit. I feel quite complete." Peter and Jeff (co-founders) Stories from starting the website (and Jeff refusing to divulge his Marathon PR) “The new website went live March 27, 2018, so this is just about 4 years." Allison Mercer (Community Partnerships) An important tip on how to get a job in the outdoor industry: "In business, life, or FKTs, you just stay persistent, and it pays off! Helping people has been a great experience." Hillary Allen (co-host) Our sometimes Co-Host lights it up with her stories and laughter: “Creativity is such a big part of this. And the FKTOY Award is my favorite time of the year!" Jared Campbell The only 3-time finisher of Barkley shares thoughtful perspectives: “You gave this framework/creation to world, and it kept us all a little more sane." Anton Krupicka Our only 3-time podcast Guest tells what FKTs mean to him: “The one word that comes to my mind is ‘Inspiration.’" Buzz (solo) Final thoughts (very brief; thank goodness): “I was never lonely when hosting this podcast. I always felt like I was with a group of good friends." THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

YOU asked and the experts answered! Re-listen to this episode from a little over a year ago where Andrew Skurka and Mary Cochenour answer listeners' gear questions on a very wide variety of applications.

How many times have you heard bad training advice? Right; there's a lot of it. Here's a quick list, plus some (hopefully) good advice as well. More is Better. Maybe not - without rest and recovery, the stress of training just makes you tired instead of creating an adaptive response. Just Run. Most other sports emphasises technique, while some runners just run a lot - cardiovascular training is imperative, but poor form can lead to injuries and is inefficient. Strength Doesn't Matter. Especially for women and older athletes, and when on technical trails, it does. Strength training can help prevent injuries and prepare you up for increased training load, and aging athletes lose endurance slowly but lose strength significantly. Train Hard All Year. The best runners in the world go easy in the off-season. You should definitely keep moving, but recharge yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Paleo Diet Helps Endurance Performance. While eliminating processed foods is helpful for everyone, ancient humans certainly ate plenty of whole grains and beans. And each individual should do what works best for them. However, glycogen is our main energy source no matter what we eat, especially as exercise intensity increases, so taking in food that is easily converted to glycogen makes sense. "The fat burned during exercise is endogenous." - Hillary (Meaning it's already in your body from various food sources, as ingestion of fat can take hours to become available as energy). To Acclimate to Altitude, arrive at the race a couple days in advance. This may be the worst thing you can do. Most people feel fine the first day at altitude, poorly shortly after, and adjust in 3-4 days, and to actually increase your hematocrit level takes much longer. "It takes 19 days to make a red blood cell." - Dr. Tom Hornbein (told to Buzz personally). So your optimal arrival times are 3 hours, or 3 days, or 3 weeks in advance. There's more! Listen up.

Anton was our very first podcast, 3 1/2 years ago!  He was very articulate even back then:  "Sometimes being successful means getting back to the car. Alive." He was also Episode 127 last year: "I don't identify with any one sport - it's about the pure experience" He's still crushing some huge, creative routes; last summer he cycled to the 6 highest peaks in 6 different mountain ranges, ran up them, then got back on the bike.  Alone, Unsupported. ""Sagebrush & Summits" was the focal point of my summer - it took most of July - and ultimately it set me up to race Leadville again in August." Indeed, after cycling 2,300 miles over 21 days, he finished 3rd in the Leadville Trail 100.   Besides prodigious endurance, Anton also remains a very thoughtful student of the sport, and an extremely articulate spokesperson - don't miss his thoughts: "When I set an objective for myself, I'm really trying to create an experience that's going to be meaningful to me, and put me in a situation that will force me into a headspace and orientation to surroundings I don't get in everyday life. Even having a partner will be a different experience." The 6 summits, from the blog post for La Sportiva: Kings Peak in the Uinta Range (Utah’s high point, 13,528’); Grand Teton – the Teton Range’s high point, 13,775’); Granite Peak in the Beartooth Range (Montana’s high point, 12,807’);  Cloud Peak – the highest mountain in Wyoming’s Bighorn Range, 13,166’;  Gannett Peak in the Wind River Range, Wyoming’s high point, 13,804’; Longs Peak (14,255’) in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, the dominant peak of the northern Front Range.

"People think the natural progression is from running to scrambling to climbing, but it's better to start climbing with a rope for safety. You gradually learn the skills, learn what you can do, then when you start scrambling you have the experience to do it safely" "The Grand Traverse was mostly 3rd and 4th class with some technical sections." What? The North Ridge is one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America. You can tell Nick's background is climbing - very under-stated! Youtube video of a Traverse in the Tantalus Range : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8hROWRHUO8

Tyler twice ran in the Olympic Marathon Trials, and now runs up the biggest mountains in South America. From a 2:15 marathon to climbing Aconcagua (22,841') in 3:32. "A big reason I went to Aconcagua is because that is where the best guys go." No kidding: the legendary Bruno Brnod still has the fastest round trip from basecamp, Kilian Jornet had and FKT before Karl Egloff (#1 FKTOY in 2019 on Denali) broke it, and now Tyler has the Ascent FKT from both Base Camp and the Trailhead (13,838' of vert). We discuss gear and tactics on the 'Big A'. Being one of the Seven Summits it is very popular, and large guiding company's set up lux operations at base camp. Clients then spend a week shuttling loads to camps up the mountain, in standard expedition style. Is this a required tactic, or does it just exhaust would-be climbers? "You are digging yourself into a hole the entire expedition." Tyler is very experienced, with 27 FKTs, climbing many of the big Andean summits. His thoughts on safety are a must-listen: "We see the stuff that goes well, but don't hear anything of what didn't. Out of those 27 FKTs, I've probably turned around or failed a hundred times. No, more than that." "There is a really fine line between being extremely tired and it being really hard, and needing to push through it, and the situation becoming unsafe, and needing to turn back." Tyler is also a professional coach who founded a coaching collective (read his list of coaches). (Correction: In the podcast Buzz said Alex Huber had a previous fast time on Aconcagua, but he had him confused with the Argentine guide Willie Benegas).

Nika Meyers FKT: Colorado Trail (CO) Time: 9d 14h 19m 00s Notes: 22 hours faster than a FKT set last year; Self-supported within 4 hours of Supported time Athlete Comments: "If you have a dream, go for it, because there will never be a perfect time. Be proud that you're going to take the risk." John Kelly FKT: Pennine Way (UK) Time: 2d 10h 04m 53s Notes: First to go sub 60 hours on the UK's most competitive and famous long trail. Athlete Comments: "These trails have a huge history. And the level of support has been incredible; I love the community here. This is a team effort."

#3 Female: Anna Troup FKT: Pennine Way (UK) Time: 3d 00h 46m 37s Notes: The premier long trail in the UK is also very competitive; 8 hrs quicker than her own FKT set 2 weeks earlier Athlete Comments: "It was typical English weather, which means it rained most of the time.” "The classic style in the UK is full Support, partially because we've been doing this a long time, before GPS and watches and so forth, so people were just there to watch and verify you. And to share in the joy." #3 Male: Timothy Olson FKT: Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA) Time: 51d 16h 55m 00s Notes: Very consistent pace (51.3 mpd) on a very long trail (2,653 mi) while navigating numerous Fire Closures; 16 hrs faster than Karel Sabbe 2016 Athlete Comments: (None at this time) Previous Podcast: https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/137-timothy-olson #2 Female: Mikaela Osler FKT: Long Trail (VT) Time: 6d 11h 33m 00s Notes: Unsupported fast time on a gnarly Premier Route; 7min faster than Nika Meyers 2020 Athlete Comments: "If I had went Self-supported I could slept at my own house next to the trail! I underestimated the food so I was hungry the whole time. This Trail is so hard; there are no switchbacks." Previous Podcast: https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/118-fktoy-2020-p1 #2 Male: Karel Sabbe FKT: Via Alpina, Red Trail (Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, Monaco) Time: 30d 08h 40m 00s Notes: Traversed the entire Alps through 8 countries, starting and finishing on the sea; 14 days faster than Self-supported from 2019 Athlete Comments: "My plan was 87km/day, the same at the AT, but the Via Alpina has 20-25% more vertical gain. Originally I desperately wanted to hike the PCT, but didn't have enough time off work to do it slowly - that's how I got started with fast thru-hiking." Previous Podcast (our 2nd ever!): https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/episode-2-karel-sabbe

#5 Female: Addie Bracy and Corey Conner FKT: Grand Canyon R2R2R (AZ) Time: 08h 06m 41s Notes:  Unsupported quick double crossing of the Grand Canyon; a Premier Route. Athlete Comments: "Corey) "This was the longest run of my life by 3 hours! I was so scared my teeth were chattering. I may have over-compensated, because I ate and drank so much at the beginning I had to relieve myself 5 times in the first hour.  But that meant I felt strong on the brutal climb out at the finish." #5 Male: Pawel Szafruga FKT: Colorado Fourteeners (CO) Time: 43d 6h 49m 34s Notes: He not only climbed all 58 summits over 14,000' high in Colorado (Premier Route), but hiked between them all with no support. Athlete Comments: "I sprained an ankle so had to take a half day off. Unfortunately that was in Aspen, where the hotels were the most expensive. My budget was like a Little League team.  Fortunately, gas station food can be pretty good." Previous Podcast: https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/157-pawel-szafruga #4 Female: Brooke Thomas FKT: Te Araroa (New Zealand) Time: 57d 12h 16m 0s Notes: This route traverses the entire country North to South, coast to coast!  Includes 150km of kayaking. Athlete Comments: "Logistics were by far the hardest part. My parents supported me, but 2/3 of the time I was by myself, and once I had 8 straight days out with no Support.  I didn't mash myself, and enjoyed every day, even though some were really hard, and I didn't know how to kayak. All your lows become your highs." #4 Male: Joe McConaughy FKT: Arizona Trail (AZ) Time: 14d, 3h, 21m, 0s Notes: Supported; encountered deep snow, quit, re-started. 2d 19h faster than previous. Athlete Comments:  "This is an epic 800 mile trail; the most bang for the buck of anything I've done.  You think Arizona you think desert, but there's a ton of vert, and I almost got snowed out. Seek out the adventures that matter to you." Previous Podcast:  https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/129-arizona-trail-race; https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/92-joe-mcconaughy; https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/119-fktoy-2020-p2

46 people from around the world have been Nominated for the Fastest Known Time Of the Year award!  Wow.  Let's talk about it with Hillary. "Can you believe this guy?  He not only did the 58 Colorado fourteeners, but he walked the entire distance between them, with no support!" "I really like what Kelly is doing - she ran Gannet Peak by herself, which is high, remote, and technical." "Great to see Hong Kong on the List. And 5,000 meters of vert?  That's over 16,000 feet in a city that's on the ocean!" "I'd never heard of the Larapinta Trail, but I liked what she wrote: 'Hot, remote, wild; very Aussie in experience.'" Interesting!  So definitely go to the Nominations List to click on the route name, and see photos and read stories written by the athletes themselves.  This is your world bucket list of cool routes to do. Podcast Schedule 12/31/2021: We catch up with Hillary, and review the year. 1/7/2022 (This one):  We discuss the FKTOY contenders 1/14/2022:  We announce the #5 and #4 winners (Female and Male) 1/21/2022:  Announce the #3 and #2 winners 1/28/2022:  Announce the #1's  There was no advertising on this podcast - we rely on YOU.   Please show your support here!  (The Internet is NOT free). Please Review and Rate the Fastest Known Podcast (this helps people find the show).

We catch up with the "indomitable force" for a quick introduction to the upcoming Fastest Known Time Of the Year award, and more. "This is my favorite time of the year!  We get to discuss all the cool FKTs." But first, we delve into the wonderful world of gravel-bike racing.  Many runners got into SkiMo, which we've discussed here, but now the new cross-training sport is gravel riding.  "I got into cycling after an injury, and now I love it.  It's so fun.  And so easy on your body - you can ride all day, and the next day you feel fine." We discuss the 'super bowl' of gravel racing, Unbound Gravel, in Emporia Kansas. "It was really hot, and windy, and sunny ... it was carnage out there ... riders were flopped out the shade on the side of the road." "There was this guy drafting me, and he wouldn't come around.  He just wouldn't take a pull.  So I started crying. That's what you do, right?  He finally comes around, then doesn't do anything, so he's actually slowing me down.  So I pass him back, and this time pull away, still crying." "That's what endurance sports are.  It's so incredible what the body can do.  And the mind." Rob Krar on the Tonto Rim, "Hole to Hump" in the Grand Canyon, and why there are many FKTs in the UK but few in France ... this is a fun conversation. And lastly:  Buzz propositions Hillary live on air!  What was her response? There was no advertising on this podcast - we rely on YOU.   Please show your support here!  (The Internet is NOT free). Please Review and Rate the Fastest Known Podcast (this helps people find the show).

Our Co-Founder and our Director of Community Partnerships gives us the scoop - - - PB: "Races are resuming so FKTs are coming in at a more manageable rate. The UK has a very strong tradition so a lot of action there, including in winter.  Australia is active as well." AM: "It's been an amazing year!  We forget that Rob Krar and Mike Foote did R2R2R.alt almost a year ago. Then Stringbean beat the AZT by 3 days after temporarily quitting due to snow." FKTs are now a standard part of the sport.  The term is used all over the world, the same in every language, pro runners go for FKTs like they would a race, and we all can participate ourselves. PB: "You can - and should - find what is meaningful to you." AM: "I love FKTs!  I met my husband doing them, and am continually amazed and what people come up with." Their advice? PB: "Learning and growing is fun. That's probably how I got into this." AM: "Do your homework." It's time for year-end gifts.  Consider us!  There was no advertising on this podcast - we rely on YOU.   Please show your support at fastestknowntime.com/support!  (The Internet is NOT free). Please Review and Rate the Fastest Known Podcast (this helps people find the show).

Allie "Mac" McLaughlin flies down the trails (USATF Trail Marathon Champion 2 years in a row) and in the air (300 skydiving jumps). And did we mention riding dirt bikes? "It was super technical. So I revved the engine, closed my eyes, and took off." "I've gotten hurt way more times from running than from sky diving." At the Moab Trail Marathon in November, her BASE-jumping friends were on the cliffs high above the course as she went by the halfway point. "When I came out of Hunter Canyon, they could see me down below, and let out a 'ca-caw'. I heard that and yelled a 'ca-caw' back. It was echoing up and down the canyon. Then they jumped." "It was definitely a 'high on life' moment." Allie formerly lifted weights, which might have helped her on the Manitou Incline FKT. "I weighed 85 lbs and squatted 175." She also has some tips for downhill running: "You gotta remember to run. You just gotta send it." Photo: Peter Maksimow

John lives in Australia, where the whole country is sports-mad, the runners are fast, the routes long ... and it's now summer. "Normally it's starting to get hot, 40 degrees, but it's a La Nina year so it's raining now and the conditions are still good." He's been exploring the tricky canyons of the Blue Mountains, which are very different.  His recent FKT is "Passes of Narrow Neck", which took 16hrs 40min.  He and his partner did 14 passes in one day.  What does that mean? "A pass is an unlikely, in-obvious, or difficult passage through a rock cliff." This route is a mixture of scrambling, hiking, running, and canyoning.  At one point he and his partner climb a tree to surmont a pass.  As the Route Page says, "This route is only for experienced scramblers who understand the risks, and who have rehearsed every metre in advance. Only two of these passes are maintained by National Parks - any other ropes, spikes, chains or ladders you encounter could snap."  As John's partner Keith wrote: "The Passes Of Narrow Neck is a significant undertaking that definitely needs thorough preparation and familiarity with the route and terrain, as well as a good head for heights & strong scrambling ability.  By the end expect to be covered in charcoal, battered and scratched by the scrub and to have had an unparalleled adventure in the wilderness of the Blue Mountains."

Gary Cantrell, aka Lazarus Lake, (or is it the other way around?) could be the most creative person in the entire sport. That is a low bar, but possibly by accident he has single-handily changed ultrarunning forever. The Barkley Marathons is an iconic, world-renowned event, and the subject of two films, even though only 40 people enter, there is no website, and the time and even the date of the race is secret. "It's good clean fun. But not always clean, and not always fun." "A 'Barker' isn't someone who says, "This isn't fair!" and goes home. They are someone who goes home and works to get better." "It's a 1% race. It's designed so only 1% of entrants should be able to finish. Since 40 people are in each year, two finishers every five years is about right." In 2006 a runner got lost on Loop 1. He didn't find his way back until 32 hours later. "If you run off the map, the map doesn't help much anymore. He went about two miles. That's 16 hour miles." Backyard Ultras are another Laz invention ("Just One More Loop") and will possibly be his most enduring legacy. The original Bigs Backyard Ultra is still is held on his farm in Tennessee, where 35 people competed on October 16, but this year 25-30,000 runners will enter an official Backyard Ultra in 65 countries. Who'd have imagined such a wild success? Not Laz: "This is like a fantasy, because I'm just an old hillbilly who lives in the woods. I wonder if I'm going to wake up and it's not real." "I wonder if we stumbled on a whole new sport." "People don't stop when they can't keep going; they stop when they think they can't win." You need to listen to this. Laz is one of the most unique and insightful people we've ever had on the podcast. Or that you have ever heard. "The job of a race director is to help people find greatness in themselves."

Jack is a Regional Editor for fastestknowntime.com - he volunteers his time to process your FKT submissions. And he is young, fast, knowledgable, and passionate. Don't miss this view of our sport from behind the curtain! "I think the FKT scene is where the elite runners should be. Races are fine, but the courses are not - we can't get permits to hold races on our best terrain. But with an FKT, you can race up the best mountains and the best routes in the country." "You don't have to go to Europe to run up mountains. With FKTs, you choose the best course, on the optimal day, with good weather ... and it's all free!" Jack has outstanding advice for FKT hopefuls: Be very efficient at aid stations Research the course conditions Scout the course many times in advance Choose the right footwear (cushion vs grip?) Nutrition ("sold on Maurtens") What Style is the competition? (instead of looking for the slowest style, do what the top people have also done) He thinks the White Mountain 100 is under-appreciated: its 34,000' of vert is the same as UTMB and Hardrock (which is almost twice that of WS100). And it will never be a race - it's an FKT Route. This is a outstanding 10min video of the Hut Traverse that precisely illustrates what Jack describes.

"I'm a mom to three teenagers and on the verge of turning 50. The fastest I normally travel is in my mini-van shuttling kids around town. Achieving an FKT as an amateur middle-aged athlete with minimal time to train was a huge stretch of my comfort zone. So adding my name to this roster was one of my proudest and most rewarding moments." Boom! Isn't Nancy the type of person you want to meet on the trail (or listen to on a podcast)? She is a SAR volunteer who raised $30,000 with this FKT, and was inspired to undertake this project by the tragic death of another mother of three who died of hypothermia one mile from the trailhead. She has excellent safety advice for all of us: "Don't forget to pack what's between your ears." "STOP. Which means: Stop - Think - Observe - Plan. When lost, wandering or leaving the trail is never a good idea." Is this more inspirational than listening to a professional runner who can run really fast? "We care. With all the anger and divisiveness in the world, I want to say there are millions of people like us out there, who really care." Nancy also found the time to write a book, which we recommend: "Chasing the Smokies Moon; An audacious 948 mile hike, fueled by love, loss, laughter, and lunacy." Purchase signed copies at www.nancyeast.com.

This is a re-airing of our November 15, 2019 episode exploring the relationship between speed and safety. What is the boundary and how do you know when you're hitting it? Ultrarunners have the fitness to get really far into the backcountry, but do they have the skill and experience to get back safely? "People are drawn to these routes, because they're super aesthetic, iconic lines. But are they over their head?" "You can download a .gpx file and just follow your watch on a trail, but on technical terrain, that doesn't work." You need to practice. To take time. It's more rewarding to spend years, learning the craft. "Kyle did the First Flatiron over 320 times before setting the FKT." "Kilian has zero chance of breaking Kyle's record on the LA Freeway" What can we all do to be safer? What are the best tips? "By far what makes you safest is your mind." "Don't be in a hurry to go fast." Episode photo: Joe Kennedy

On October 18, Drew ran back and forth across the Grand Canyon 4 times (R2R2R2R2R). It was his third try, so he learned some things! Which he shares with you ... "They start turning off the water when the weather gets cold. So there's a narrow window when most people try this. I did the first R2R2R at night, so the warm sun made starting the second lap easier." This route was 83 miles, with 22,000' of vert. And unlike running in the mountains, to finish it off, you have to run almost 5,000' back UP! "Your quads must be preserved. The "box" is good running, so you'll lose big chunks of time if you're already beat up by then." Drew loves the Grand Canyon, and it shows. Even though it's not always easy, as he describes one trail in the western section: "You can hardly see the trail. My lower legs were shredded. If I were to do that route again, I'd put KT Tape all over my shins in advance." This Episode Sponsored by Rabbit: The free-spirited California brand dedicated to all things running. Drew used their cool-weather kit for his night-time start, and their super-light gear for the rest of his FKT - check it out here. Subscribe to their email list (bottom of page) to stay in the know for new gear drops and sales, and get 10% off your first order. And follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runinrabbit

We finish our 3-2-1 countdown interviews from the Men's podium of the US Mountain Running Championships with the winner, Joe Gray. Joe is one of the best mountain/trail runners in history.  He is very articulate and insightful, and is extremely well respected by other runners, while some casual runners may not have heard of him.  How can that be?  Let's correct it! Joe has won a ridiculous 20 National Championship races, as well as 2 World Championships, in addition to wins at countless (literally) other races - see his Bio below.  "I value the work. Someone can post a post a picture on Instagram, and it's gone 2 days later. I win a championship, and it's there forever." How has he been so successful for 15 years? "The biggest thing is being smart. Take pride out of the process. Coming to the line healthy is better than showing up really fit but hurt." There is a preponderance of people of African descent on the podium of road and track races, while on the trail and mountains, the ratio suddenly reverses.  Has he ever felt isolated? "Early in my career, you look around, and no one looks like you. So I wondered. And occasionally someone makes a racist comment. "But as I've gotten older, I realize, I'm not there for those people. They have an agenda, and it's not mine.  If I act out, if I lose my focus, then I can't do my best, I can't inspire the next generation." Joe told me something in person 6 years ago and I never forgot it - indeed, I've quoted him on three previous Podcasts!  Let's finally hear it in his own words: "There are two ways to build a running career. One is on social media; by talking about yourself. The other by winning races." Boom!!  Don't miss Joe's wonderful insights. And please support Fastest Known Time!  You are burdened with almost no advertising on this website and podcast - we rely on YOU.   Please show your support here!  (The Internet is not free; your contribution keeps this real).Please Review and Rate the Fastest Known Podcast (this helps people find the show).

We are counting down the podium from the US Mountain Running Championships!  Last week: Joe Demoor, #3.  This week: Max King, #2.  (Stay tuned for next week!) Max runs everything ... does he have the widest range of any runner ever?  He was the World Mountain Running Champion, which is a steep hammerfest of only 12km, then 3 years later became the World 100km Champion, running on a flat paved circuit.  He's done a 1:03 Half Marathon, the Western States 100, won the Warrior Dash Championships (an obstacle course), and next year wants to run the 3000 meter Steeplechase on the track. "I'm uncoachable. I train for tempo, strength, endurance and speed, year round." Max is now 41 years old, and can still compete in the open class. Does he have some expert advice for the rest of us?  Yes! "I'm always stretching and rolling.  I lift weights in the winter, olympic style. It's important to keep everything in balance." Max's run camps are a level above just running with a group of people: "Our over-arching goal is to create capable trail runners and stewards with a lifelong love of nature." Listen and learn!

When asked if he wanted to be a guest on the podcast, Joe wrote back, "I realize this will be a bit about talking about myself, which I have to admit is one of my least favorite activities." Right on! Joe is the kind of person we especially like talking with. Called the "quiet crusher" by some friends, Joe is a classic mountain person: he works hard, runs hard, and doesn't need to talk about it. He has no shoe sponsor, and says with a laugh, "The company's basically tell me I either need more Followers on social media, or to win UTMB." Is living in a Colorado mountain town a dream come true, or just a dream? "In order to make this lifestyle work, you have to be really committed; really want it." "There's still a lot of heart in these ski towns; people out grinding every day, doing it for the right reasons." Mentioned in this podcast: Our podcast with Seth DeMoor here Protect Our Winters organization ("Your passion for the outdoors can help save it")

Welcome back to a classic episode of the Fastest Known Podcast. That’s right, this week we are re-airing our August 15th, 2020 interview with Kelly Halpin who had just completed the Wind River High Route, solo and unsupported. The route is about 97 miles with 30,000 feet of vertical gain. Her standard point to point route FKT still stands over a year later. A new men’s FKT was set this summer by David Aalya in ​​1d 13h 41m 0s, beating Gabe Joyes by about 9 hours. David’s first FKT on the route was back in 2019. We interviewed him on episode #118 during our FKT of the Year 2020 show if you want to learn more about him. ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES We receive 50 FKT submissions per day but this one immediately caught my eye: the Wind River High Route is big, wild, and rough, and a woman just did it alone, faster than anyone except one male. Women have always been athletic equals of men, but we don't often see them alone on the high routes. Turns out Kelly Halpin does a lot of the big routes. WHO IS SHE? "I grew up in the mountains, my favorite way to challenge myself is to do firsts, in the mountains, usually Unsupported." The WRHR traverses the length of the Wind River Range, perfectly bookended by the northern and southern most 13,000' summits in the range. What did she think? "It comes close to being technical, but never is - it's an incredibly beautiful, challenging, high alpine route ... it's one of the most beautiful places in the world." Kelly was over a day faster than the previous women's team - listen to her description as she makes it sound normal, matter-of-fact: "I really like to go light and fast. I'm pretty good with sleep deprivation. I brought no emergency gear, no sleeping, tarp or stove, just to move as fast I can." "And I gotta admit ... I stopped and went skinny-dipping; otherwise I would be a little faster. But it was refreshing."

This is a 42 day thru-hike with almost 300,000 feet of elevation gain, summiting all 58 Colorado 14ers ... entirely self-supported, solo, never getting into a car ... how did he do that?! "For the 3 months leading up, I did more pre-planning on this than my work." "I didn't publicize this in advance. You have to Walk the Walk before you Talk the Talk". "Some people are like, "Why isn't there more on the Internet?"  I'm not changing the world with what I do, so I like to stay private." "People can get addicted to getting "Likes".  If there wasn't any Likes, how would you feel about it?  What would you be doing if no one was watching?" Pawel is a wealth of insight and information. All students of multi-day efforts should listen to this.  "My Base Weight (all clothes and gear) was 8.5 lbs. Which included a helmet." But did not include a stove - he used the 'cold soak' method.   And he finished with a degree of liver and kidney malfunction; his doctor told him "No alcohol" for a few weeks. "It would be super hard to travel long and fast and eat healthy.  Going through towns, I would eat a comical amount of food.  I would eat 3 breakfasts at one sitting."  Gear Lists Pawel personally builds out custom camper vans with the same ethic as his thru-hiking: lightweight and efficient.  This is his company's van Instagram and this is the website. His hiking gear list is very accurate and helpful (his entire 'kitchen' setup totalled 2.2 ounces).

Bethany wrote to us: "One year ago, Katlin Rhodes and I came together and became the first women to complete the 46 unsupported thru-hike. That summer was my first with Strava and a GPS watch. She and I have learned a lot in one year and have combined for 23 FKTS, going after some big and small. From the thru-hike, I began ambassador work with SheJumps, a national non-profit that promotes more women and girls to get outside. I think we'd make a cool podcast." AGREED! Join Bethany as she speaks confidently on the importance of mental health, how until 2 years ago she lived "off-the grid" and didn't even have a cell phone, and her work as a wilderness therapy instructor: "Katie found me on the FKT website. We did the Adirondack 46 Unsupported. We've learned a lot since then ... FKTs have become the perfect niche!" "It's important to keep public lands open to the public. This has saved people." (Note: Katie was also scheduled as a guest, but experienced technical difficulties). This podcast releases on September 17, the one year anniversary of their A46 thru-hike. Success stories like this are wonderful to hear. And what's next? "I've done 19 FKTs; I'd like to get to 50 by 2023!" "The A46 FKT can go lower ..."

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" 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.  Listen as Scott describes his specific training for this effort, as well as nutrition specifics.  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

This year, hundreds of square miles in the western US has been on fire, resulting in terrible air quality which often has exceeded EPA guidelines.  Dr Kevin Shilling is a long time ultrarunner, was 10th at the HR100 this year, and is a pulmonary physician based in Salt Lake City.  So we ask him an important question: When does air pollution get so bad it's better not to exercise? "That depends on how badly you want to go for a run." He really did say that!  Kevin provides intelligent, balanced, nuanced, and personal answers.  Four factors are: How healthy are you, are you experiencing any problems, how does it feel? What is your level of effort? An easy hour is different than a hard workout. When was the last time you ran?  If yesterday, maybe take a day off and wait for better conditions; if you've already taken 3 days off, well ... What is the AQI?  Over 100 might be unhealthy for some people while over 150 can still be tolerated by most; an AQI over 200? "I wouldn't do it." Check the Air Quality Index where you live right now.  If you live in some parts of the west, checking the AQI may become as common as checking the weather report.

It's a great time to re-air our 2020 interview with Courtney Dauwalter who - only 1 week ago - won her second consecutive Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc title, setting a new women's course record in the process. On top of all that she was the 7th finisher overall. During 2020 when UTMB was canceled, Courtney turned her attention to setting an FKT on the Colorado Trail, going from Durango to Denver. In this interview she discusses why the attempt was eventually stopped and much more. This is our most popular episode of all time and for good reason! ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES Courtney once ran 279 miles ... and received a "DNF"!  Huh?  How did that happen?   "They ring a bell when it's time to start, and if you don't go right then, you're out.  That's it." "It takes two to tango, two to keep the game going, to see what's possible." From choices of candy, to Bronchitis on the Colorado Trail, and the amazing world of Big's Backyard Ultra, Courtney offers wonderful, simple, and helpful insights. "Running is so cool … it’s such a cool way to explore, and to spend time with people, and with ourselves.” "Running is a choice ...to live our lives however we want, to make choice to do or not do things.  I'm choosing every day to run and explore these long distances because I love it.  To keep this perspective every day is helpful, and I feel very lucky for that."

"Mediocre"?  I don't think so! Zack has done 7 ultra races and won all of them.  And he's from Kentucky, proud of it, and why maybe you haven't heard of him. "I like the east. It's green. I'd like to try some things out west, but I'm happy here." Zack graduated in 2017 with a double degree, went to work ... and quit 3 days later. "Running is what I love.  Yes, I took a pay cut, but this is what I want to do." Find out why. This episode is sponsored by Speedland Speedland is a brand new shoe company, founded by two longtime designers from Puma, Nike, and Under Armour. Their debut shoe is the SL:PDX, likened more to a piece of equipment than to a shoe. It is trail footwear made from the most premium components available today. Listen to this trail-runner-wish-list: 1. It’s the first shoe ever to feature BOA’s Li2 Fit System, dual dials with multi-directional incremental dialing for a perfect fit. 2. The midsole uses a new formulation of Pebax foam for ultimate energy return. 3. Then there’s a Carbitex carbon-fiber plate with asymmetrical flex – stiff in one direction, flexible in the other. 4. Finishing it off, the SL:PDX uses a Michelin wrap outsole with a customizable lug pattern that can be adjusted for any terrain. When we say it’s all there, it’s all there. Plus, Speedland gives back 10% of all profits to outdoor organizations chosen by their athletes, and once the shoe reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back where it will be disassembled and recycled. Check out the Speedland SL:PDX over at runspeedland.com and follow them on Instagram at @runspeedland. Drop them a note if you have any questions.

Riding and Running on trails is more connected than you know!  The Western States 100 originally was a horse race, not a running race.  And this year Susie Kramer did both, with one of the fastest combined times ever.  With a broken toe, after her horse stepped on it. "I guess some scar tissue had formed, so the pain wasn't too bad." Yeah, endurance horse riders are tough. Ride and Tie is a very tactical and exciting race, always on trails at least 20 miles long, with two runners alternating riding one horse ... got that?  Courtney will explain it! "My 14 year old daughter said, 'Dad, if you will learn to ride a horse, I will start running and we can be a team.' When your daughter says that, there is only one answer!" This is NOT like riding a bicycle - these are dynamic teamwork events with a human and horse, both of whom have minds of their own.  As Courtney describes Coda: "He can't stand to be behind another horse. It's like, 'You decide how fast you want to go; trot, canter, gallop, doesn't matter, because I'm going to pass you." "It's like he trained the other horses - they would move to the side when we came up, whether their rider reigned them over or not." Courtney goes first in this Episode, describing the strategic intricacies of Ride and Tie, and we note many of the top ultra runners of the era who also were Ride and Tie competitors. Susie is next, who describes why she thinks riding the Tevis Cup is harder than the running the WS100. This episode is sponsored by Speedland Speedland is a brand new shoe company, founded by two longtime designers from Puma, Nike, and Under Armour. Their debut shoe is the SL:PDX, likened more to a piece of equipment than to a shoe. It is trail footwear made from the most premium components available today. Listen to this trail-runner-wish-list: It’s the first shoe ever to feature BOA’s Li2 Fit System, dual dials with multi-directional incremental dialing for a perfect fit. The midsole uses a new formulation of Pebax foam for ultimate energy return. Then there’s a Carbitex carbon-fiber plate with asymmetrical flex – stiff in one direction, flexible in the other. Finishing it off, the SL:PDX uses a Michelin wrap outsole with a customizable lug pattern that can be adjusted for any terrain. When we say it’s all there, it’s all there. Plus, Speedland gives back 10% of all profits to outdoor organizations chosen by their athletes, and once the shoe reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back where it will be disassembled and recycled. Check out the Speedland SL:PDX over at runspeedland.com and follow them on Instagram at @runspeedland. Drop them a note if you have any questions.

89 FKTs is a lot!  And 51 of them have been in 2021, including sometimes 2 in one day.  I presume this is intentional? "I used to race more, but the pandemic caused me to focus on where I live.  And we have a huge history here - some of these routes go back hundreds of years." "It's always about the journey, not the goal.  But FKTs are great - this has provided the structure for me to learn and explore in my own surroundings." We discuss how new Routes are Approved (it's subjective).  And we discover that I once (or twice?) dis-allowed a new Route David had Submitted - dang - I'm called out on my own podcast! David has interesting stories and a great perspective on discovering FKTs in the United Kingdom: "It's like "brutalism" - on one hand it looks ugly and un-loved, but there is so much there." "This one route was an absolutely wonderful find - there as a huge amount of crazy graffiti and old architecture in an industrial section of old London, including a boat being used as a sauna - you wouldn't find this if you didn't know about it." "You don't need to "win" - there's great richness in the stories people are sharing, the logistics and the techniques of FKTs." "More people need to find out about these things." This episode is sponsored by Speedland Speedland is a brand new shoe company, founded by two longtime designers from Puma, Nike, and Under Armour. Their debut shoe is the SL:PDX, likened more to a piece of equipment than to a shoe. It is trail footwear made from the most premium components available today. Listen to this trail-runner-wish-list: 1. It’s the first shoe ever to feature BOA’s Li2 Fit System, dual dials with multi-directional incremental dialing for a perfect fit. 2. The midsole uses a new formulation of Pebax foam for ultimate energy return. 3. Then there’s a Carbitex carbon-fiber plate with asymmetrical flex – stiff in one direction, flexible in the other. 4. Finishing it off, the SL:PDX uses a Michelin wrap outsole with a customizable lug pattern that can be adjusted for any terrain. When we say it’s all there, it’s all there. Plus, Speedland gives back 10% of all profits to outdoor organizations chosen by their athletes, and once the shoe reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back where it will be disassembled and recycled. Check out the Speedland SL:PDX over at runspeedland.com and follow them on Instagram at @runspeedland. Drop them a note if you have any questions.

Wow - a new running shoe company! That's gotta be hard - why are these two men doing it? "We've been designing shoes for 25 years for other company's. There was always a compromise. We wanted to build a shoe that was the absolute best - no compromise." "We're always told what the price has to be, and then worked backward from there - we wanted to start with the best product and go forward." Can a new shoe company succeed? "If you work hard, and create a product that means something, you will succeed." "And if we took the same approach as everyone else, you're going to get the same result." Is this a version of the now iconic Nike Zoom technology? "Our SL:PDX is very trail-specific. Effort has gone into new road shoe design, and to some degree track shoes, but trail running requires a very different set of features which has been largely ignored. People have been running incredible FKTs and mountain races, while the technology has not kept up with what they're doing. Until now." This episode is sponsored by Speedland Speedland is a brand new shoe company, founded by two longtime designers from Puma, Nike, and Under Armour. Their debut shoe is the SL:PDX, likened more to a piece of equipment than to a shoe. It is trail footwear made from the most premium components available today. Listen to this trail-runner-wish-list: It’s the first shoe ever to feature BOA’s Li2 Fit System, dual dials with multi-directional incremental dialing for a perfect fit. The midsole uses a new formulation of Pebax foam for ultimate energy return. Then there’s a Carbitex carbon-fiber plate with asymmetrical flex – stiff in one direction, flexible in the other. Finishing it off, the SL:PDX uses a Michelin wrap outsole with a customizable lug pattern that can be adjusted for any terrain. When we say it’s all there, it’s all there. Plus, Speedland gives back 10% of all profits to outdoor organizations chosen by their athletes, and once the shoe reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back where it will be disassembled and recycled. Check out the Speedland SL:PDX over at www.runspeedland.com and follow them on Instagram at @runspeedland. Drop them a note if you have any questions.

He's done it again! After 5 YEARS of planning, Andrew climbed the hundred highest summits in Colorado in a huge non-stop effort of 22 days. And established two new Routes and FKTs within that effort along the way. And he claims he's not that fit ... "I don't know what it is about me; I can just suffer and keep going." No argument there! He tells great stories of being alone at night in the high mountains, and also discuss the history of the Colorado 14ers, from "Rick and Ricky" to "Cavedog". This is a wonderful, lively, edifying conversation you will enjoy. "Someone analyzed all these attempts - Rick and Ricky were 1 full day faster than me running, but I was 4 days faster than them on the logistics! Cavedog and I were the same, so I beat his time only by taking a more efficient line (a longer and bolder linkup) in the Elks." "Cavedog redefined the game, and we all follow that. He realized it wasn't about speed (note: Rick Trujillo won the Pikes Peak Marathon 6 times and the HR100 once!) - the defining factor became efficiency during the entire effort." What about technical proficiency? Rick and Ricky were great runners, but not mountaineers. "It's a style thing. You have to do the Blanca - Little Bear Traverse. These are the things that excite me." Listen and find out the two new routes Andrew considers to be on par with the famous Nolan's 14, the Weminuche Wipeout and the Centennial Elks Traverse ("Sorry, I couldn't think of a cool name for that one"). And his closing advise? "The battle plan never lasts longer than the first contact with the enemy." His Trip Report is a very thorough and thoughtful read. This is the summit-to-summit thread on 14ers.com, with over 400 Comments. "Great story, great writing. I still cannot wrap my head around how this is even possible." - susanjoypaul

There are 490 FKT Routes in the UK - get the insider scoop on them - Our two Regional Editors from the UK tell us what is new and cool, and then walk us through some classic FKT routes. "1,051 FKTs have been reviewed and Approved in the UK in the last 12 months - that's 3 per day - it's been really busy!" These are all really long, super hard efforts - many of these are multi-day, and some have over 100,000' of Elevation Gain. Why is that? "Really good runners are looking for good adventures!" "Because on the other hand, we have hundreds of fell races that people do all the time. Many take place mid-week: you show up on a Thursday at 7pm, pay 2 Pounds, run up the local fell and back, have a beer, and socialize with your friends. It's great!" "And these Classic FKT Routes are all very competitive, in spite of their length and difficulty. Many of the best runners have a go every year. But the Grand Round (all 3 of the Big Rounds, back-back, self-powered) is not a classic because it's not competitive - only John Kelly has done it!"

The 2021 Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run starts today. Two days before the run an important meeting took place where the event announced a new policy to increase women’s participation. Starting in 2022, the percent of women’s entrants will be no less than the percent of women’s lottery applicants. Darcy Piceu who won the the race three times (2012-2014) is now a Hardrock 100 board member and she's returning to the race this year as a participant. What better time to revisit episode 36 (originally published May 31, 2019) where Darcy and Trailsisters.net founder Gina Lucrezi spoke about the challenges and opportunities to make the sport of ultrarunning more inclusive and equitable for women. Original Show Notes Darcy Piceu and Gina Lucrezi share thoughts on this important topic. "We're in a real interesting time right now. If I do nothing else in the sport, it would be to raise awareness." This is a different conversation for Fastest Known Time, and quite worthwhile. Trail Sisters has established 5 recommended practices for races: 1. Equal podium spots 2. Equal prize money and awards 3. Women's-specific swag (not just unisex) 4. Menstrual products at aid stations (events over a Half Marathon) 5. Opportunity for Women at the front of the Starting Line Citations from topics discussed in this episode www.trailsisters.net www.outsideonline.com/2312071/ultrar…gender-problem www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/opinio…ernity-leave.html time.com/5594356/alex-morgan-world-cup/

You need to hear this inspiring story! Jim Mann, a top ultrarunner from Scotland, had this brilliant idea: ask race directors to give runners the option of having a tree planted in their name instead of being given still another t-shirt that won't get used. "The reason for starting this was 2 fold - I had loads of race t-shirts and kept getting more (I couldn't wear them all and they don't wear out). We wanted to plant more trees and it seemed like a great way to solve a bad problem whilst creating something good." The amount of water it takes to produce a single cotton t-shirt is the same water as a person drinks in 2 1/2 years. Polyester is worse. Why pollute our environment when we can plant a tree instead? "We've planted hundreds of thousands of trees this year alone - our goal is 50 million trees in the ground in the next few years." This is for real. They purchase the land the trees are planted on so they will not get cut down. Each runner receives a Certificate for what they've done, which lists the race name and sponsors (so no one gets left out). And it's all optional. There are 30,000 races in the US alone, and this program is now coming to America. There are 621 million runners in world - we can make a big difference. YOU make this happen: please reach out to all the races you enter, and tell the director this is what you want. That's how this works - you request it. Suggested by Mick Jones, co-Regional Editor for the United Kingdom.

Coree rose to prominence after his 21 day FKT on the Ice Age Trail, exactly one year ago. Before that he was seen rockin' a Speedo on the 10-part "World's Toughest Race" show on Amazon Prime (a great series). Coree has fun, and he has style. This is a very fun conversation with an intelligent and unique person - don't miss his captivating thoughts! "We intended to start everyday at 5:30am - the first day I woke up and said, 'Screw this; I'm going back to sleep.' Now we've changed the plan for FKTs: Start whenever I wake up - 10am or Noon - I'm totally fine with that. I prefer to run at night." Would it be safe to say you're not a methodical planner? "Absolutely. I don't like the logistics or planning - too much time to think. I want to be in top shape, and then just do it." In April Coree set the FKT on the 335 mile Pinhoti Trail in Alabama and Georgia. In this part of the country, there is no shortage of confederate flags flying. As a black man, out there sometimes alone at night, did he feel safe? "I didn't think about it. At mile 13, there was a giant confederate flag - I mean, giant. If anything, it made me more motivated. We want the outdoors experience to be available to everyone, and this demonstrates that. I never felt unsafe." "It was amazing. The people along that trail were awesome people. Pacers came out of the woodwork - they were working 8-5 jobs, showed up at night and ran with me until past Midnight, then were back at work at 8:00 the next morning." "People were dropping off hand-made food. One night I was freezing - I was so cold, all I wanted was warm soup. So a woman heard that, cooked home-made soup, and ran it out to me in the middle of the night on the trail." "Rural people are the best. So many people invited us into their homes. My crew is 3, 4, sometimes 5 people, and there was always room for us. I wanted everyone to know I felt safe. And: the Midwest is a friendly place!"

The Boundary Waters is 1.1 million acres of incredible glaciated terrain way up in northern Minnesota on the Canada border, and yet is the most-visited Wilderness Area in the United States. Because it is so good. Even if YOU have never been there! "Boundary Waters is as remote as it gets. Alex had everything dialed - those people are hard-core canoists - they paddled over two hours to get to the support locations!" - Clare "This is an incredible idea Alex had - he combined his ultra running passion with his passion to protect this place." - Clare "This is one of the most pristine places on planet Earth - you just dip your bottle into the lake or stream and drink without any filtration". - Alex "It was next level! I've never seen anything like it - it's the most wet I've ever been on land - it was so hard-core Minnesota!" - Clare Please listen to Clare, and support Alex and this fabulous wilderness The Boundary Waters is under threat from a proposed massive sulfide-ore copper mine that, if built, would generate acid mine drainage in the form of sulfuric acid and flow straight through the heart of the Wilderness and also into Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park and Voyageurs National Park. The mine site and waste rock tailings would perpetually pollute turning this world class wilderness and pristine watershed into a polluted chain of lakes, rivers, streams and marshes forever. Website with full information Sign this petition! (Corrections from the audio:) Joni Mitchell's 'advice" to Clare: "Wild things run fast" Isle Royale is the least-visited National Park, with 18,216 annual visitors Special thanks to onX Backcountry for supporting Fastest Known Time. onX Backcountry is “All in for Outdoors” during the month of June; you can plan that next FKT and navigate offline with a year-long subscription to the onX Backcountry mapping app for only $10 in June with all net proceeds going to support Leave No Trace. Learn more at onxmaps.com/greatoutdoors

“The animals never forget who we are because they see us every day in their world,” added Angelo. “The best way to remind ourselves who we are and where we belong is to go out into the world and have relationships with our relatives.” Angelo Baca is a Navajo and Hopi filmmaker, and a PhD candidate in sociocultural anthropology at NYU. A graduate of the Native Voices Program at the University of Washington, he has created numerous documentaries and collaborative works around such subjects as indigenous food sovereignty, Native youth development and indigenous international repatriation. He’s also taught Native American literature and media courses at Brown University. In 2016, he directed the ethnographic documentary Shash Jaa': Bears Ears, in an effort to illuminate the Utah landscape’s significance to indigenous peoples of the region. Support Bears Ears - donate to Utah Diné Bikéyah here! Shásh Jaa’ (Bears Ears) is a proposed 1.9 million acres of Utah wilderness considered sacred lands to the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition (Navajo, Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, Hopi, Zuni) coming together to protect this pristine area from natural resource extraction and make this area a designated National Monument in collaborative management partnership with tribes. Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland submitted her first report. https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_c27c346e-c999-11eb-9150-67ce4083279b.html Special thanks to onX Backcountry for supporting Fastest Known Time. onX Backcountry is “All in for Outdoors” during the month of June, finally you can plan that next FKT and navigate offline with a year-long subscription to the onX Backcountry mapping app for only $10 in June with all net proceeds are going to support Leave No Trace. Learn more at onxmaps.com/greatoutdoors

Dave is old school: extremely nice and will never talk about himself ... but don't enter a race that he is in, because you will probably get beat by a guy with one leg. How would you feel about that? (He feels fine.) On May 22, 2015, during a casual run above Boulder, Dave stepped on a large boulder which rolled 30' downhill, landing on top of his leg. He lay pinned there for hours, calmly directing his rescuers. A year later, after multiple surgeries, he decided it would be best to amputate it. "It took a year and a half to come back." Understated? That's Dave. This was a epic comeback for anyone, that Dave makes sound almost casual. He recently did the Grand Canyon R2R2R, 15 years after his 2007 FKT (when he was the first person to go sub-7 hours). "Proprioception is different. You have to register each step, pay attention where you're putting your foot. It's just another form of ultrarunning ... maybe little more advanced." With that in mind, has Dave ever considered running roads or easy trails, where technical footwork is not required? "No. Not at all. Too boring." Dave is supported by Altra Footwear, the original zero-drop shoe with the wide toe box ultra-runners (and thru-hikers) love. 24% of WS100 runners use Altra's. Their motto "Zero Limits" fits Dave. Thank you Altra! Special thanks to onX Backcountry for supporting Fastest Known Time. onX Backcountry is “All in for Outdoors” during the month of June, finally you can plan that next FKT and navigate offline with a year-long subscription to the onX Backcountry mapping app for only $10 in June with all net proceeds are going to support Leave No Trace. Learn more at onxmaps.com/greatoutdoors

Co-Host Hillary Allen asks Jason the obvious question, "Why go for 100 FKTs?" "It's been a wild journey; in the works for two, going on three years. I had a wild 2020; I did 60 FKTs last year." "The game gets harder the more you play it. I had to learn new skills, get more creative, become better." How do you find the time to do all this? "If you know Ironman training, you know I was used a lifestyle of constant movement." "I was the kid who struggled to fall in line. Now I'm a poor employee but a great teacher - I'm not good at compliance but great connecting with the kids. The same with FKTs - I can see the possibilities, and dedicate myself to doing it." Besides being extremely bold and energetic, Jason is very intelligent and insightful - you'll appreciate this conversation! Special thanks to onX Backcountry for supporting Fastest Known Time. onX Backcountry is “All in for Outdoors” during the month of June, finally you can plan that next FKT and navigate offline with a year-long subscription to the onX Backcountry mapping app for only $10 in June with all net proceeds are going to support Leave No Trace. Learn more at onxmaps.com/greatoutdoors

Many climbers and hikers visit Indian Creek and the Needles District of Canyonlands NP each year; they run a trail for 10 miles, or climb a couple of 200 foot routes, then leave, feeling pretty good about their accomplishment. Heidi has been everywhere on 350,000 acres for 56 years, winter and summer. She knows every spring, every route, and countless Anasazi petroglyphs you never knew existed. Dugout Ranch is an icon of the American West located in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, at the entrance to Canyonlands National Park. It is so iconic, Heidi supplemented the ranching income by leasing it as a location for movies and TV commercial; countless short documentaries have also been made, such as this one. In 1997 it was purchased from Heidi and her ex-husband by the Nature Conservancy, fulfilling her goal of preserving the landscape.

Hillary Allen speaks with Kelly Newlon of Real Athlete Diets: "Delicious, performance orientated food for active people"!  On June 1 Timothy Olson will start his attempt on Pacific Crest Trail, and Kelly will be there as part of his crew. For 52 days.  What will that be like?  How can diet support a huge effort like this? “I reach out to a Registered Dietician in order to fill in the holes of my knowledge. And I put in protein powder in almost everything, plus coconut milk for fat, and greens whenever possible, even dried greens like Spirulina which also has protein." “The goal is to run 50 miles a day as many days as possible.” "Flavor fatigue" can be a big part of long efforts - what you want and don't want can change quickly and unexpectedly. "We also have Snickers Bars on the list." (the 'traditional' food of the old-school thru-hiker! :-) Kelly is very prepared, and will arrive at the southern terminus a few days in advance. “The more organized and prepared I am, the more enthusiastic I become.  So we already have a spare bedroom filled with great food, all labeled and organized.” And do not think trail diet is not important:  "Two researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Integrative Physiology published a study suggesting that a thru-hiking lifestyle may lead to troubling changes in vascular health." Any attempt on the PCT is a huge project. Adidas is a major supporter and is playing an important role - thank you Adidas! "We’ve done our best for the best." Started in 1924, the company as we know it with the 3 stripes was founded in 1949.

The PCT is one of our 10 Premier Routes for good reasons! It is 2,597 miles long, with 420,880' of vert, passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks ... and is competitive.   And Timothy has been a top ultrarunner, with two wins at the Western States 100 including a Course Record.  Game on! "When you have an opportunity like this, you take it. You go all in." His byline is "Mindful mountain ultra runner".  On a massive effort that will likely take 52 days, which includes the heat of the Mohave Desert and going over 13,153' Forester Pass all in the first two weeks, and then the likelihood of Fire Closures and re-routes, how will his meditative practice help him cope? "Meditation plays a huge part of my life.  On the PCT, I can go into a place where, 'An FKT would be cool, but that's not why I'm out here'." The Sierra snowpack was at 15% of normal when this podcast was recorded (May 4) - there will be minimal snowpack to contend with, but potentially many fires. Timothy will be using shoes and apparel from the Adidas Parley line - this is important as they are made with intercepted plastic waste. Plastic waste is found everywhere from the deepest seas to the highest mountain ranges; this technology turns plastic into high-performance fabrics.  He will use the Agravic Boa shoe and the Terrex Two Ultra Parley "I like the BOA system. You can be going down a scree field, get some gravel in your shoe, and pop it off and empty it out without tying and re-tying your shoe." Adidas is the 2nd largest sporting good company in the world, and with major cred - Jesse Owens used their shoes in the 1936 Olympics!

GOOD TIMING! This podcast was recorded on April 26; when asked "What is next", Dylan divulges he's going for an (undisclosed) FKT "This coming weekend" ... But first, Co-Host Hillary Allen asks D-Bo about his FKT on the Wonderland Trail last year. "I fell into a pandemic funk, too many IPA's, so needed a goal.  We had just moved to Portland Oregon, a couple hours from the Wonderland Trail. I was inspired by Kyle Skaggs, and knew I wanted to do this." He did it - a new FKT by a hour and half!  But it only lasted 5 days - Tyler Green snatched it by a scant 18 minutes - that's after almost 17 hours of running!  There were7 successful FKTs on the Wonderland in 2020 alone. "I had 5 days of glory, then some sadness, and now I feel good about it.  I learned a lot from Tyler, and how to actually prepare for FKTs specifically, as opposed to racing, which is different.  And Tyler is a class act and a good friend." So what about that FKT attempt he didn't want to disclose? The Backbone Trail!  An increasingly popular and competitive route right above the Los Angeles basin.  And he did it - new FKT of 9 hrs 49 min 14 sec. "Wow, what an incredible trail!  Pure SoCal bliss."

Hillary is a podcast host (this one and two others), North Face athlete, gravel bike racer, scientist, and now a book author - this is a good conversation! "I don't recommend falling off a 150' cliff, but everyone has a place where they can grow." Hillary almost died while running the Tromsø Skyrace in Norway in 2017.  It was a hard road back.  She learned a lot and describes this process with total honesty and authenticity. "I had to accept the darkness. And not let it hold me back from the PT work. For months, months on end." PURCHASE the BOOK HERE! https://amzn.to/3t6dpZ6 May 7th:  Live Chat, Women’s Running Magazine Book Club – Virtual Event, 6pm MST "There are a few rules in life, and 'Never huck anything' is one I'm following now!"

Co-Host Hillary Allen discusses bike-packing with two of the best, as they explain the style of these races, which is informative to hikers and runners. The ethos for all bike-packing races is Self-Supported. "Generally the consensus is you are carrying your own food and water, you are not caching; the point is you can buy or obtain anything along the route as long as it is available to everyone else. Trail Magic is OK, but you can't ask for it or plan for it." "You are pushing your boundaries, and you are ready and able to take care of yourself." "And drafting and pacing is not allowed. It would be interesting to see how much faster we could go on the Arizona Trail for example, if we did that." - Kait The rules have evolved over the years, and are constantly being discussed. And the White Rim FKTs have become a thing in the past year. (Editor Note: Buzz was the first person to ride this route in Canyonlands National Park in one day). "The question has come up, 'Is it OK to have film crews?' The answer has evolved that No, it is not. Knowing someone is up there may give you confidence to push harder." "There are no tiers in bike-packing like there are in hiking and running, such as Supported - everything is Self-supported or Unsupported". The Tour Divide rules are here, and are worth reading: "Tour Divide strives for equal opportunity within the GC. TD requires that every challenger—from those living along the route to those living on other continents—have an equal playing field. Therefore, outside assistance with navigation, lodging or resupply is prohibited." The Colorado Trail Race ethos is similar: "The rules are simple and brief - if you can't do this ride without outside or pre-arranged support, don't enter the race." And the Arizona Trail Race is the same: "Guiding principles are self-support and equal opportunity." 1. Complete the entire route, under your own power. 2. No support crews, no pacers 3. No caches 4. No motorized transport or hitch-hiking, EXCEPT for travel to hospital/medical care 5. Gear - Nothing required, nothing prohibited

The FKT scene in New England has always been very competitive - rather than inventing obscure new route they go faster on the existing lines. The Presidential Traverse is the marquee route - new fastest times often are better than the previous by less than 2 minutes! "People now will train specifically for a route, then do a full taper; the FKT is their race, not an extra thing they do on the side." So why did Ben try the Presi in winter conditions? "I think some future Presi Traverse FKT action will happen in the winter. I'll go out on a limb and predict that March and April will become Presi race season." Did Ben just totally redefine how to do a fast FKT in the mountains? Is it actually faster to run rough terrain when it's covered with firm snow? "I disassembled strap-on spikes and screwed the spike plates directly into my shoes. This weighed only 35 grams per shoe." On March 23, Ben ran the Presi much faster than anyone. And that effort was Flagged so it will not count. And Ben was fine with that. "To me it's all fun and games, and if it's not fun, I shouldn't be doing it."

Ryan Ignatz is an expert on electrolyte replacement and hydration, and can perform a Sweat Test to determine the exact amount of Sodium YOU lose when exercising. Everyone is very different so this is important! He tested me - what was the result?? "You lose 1,453mg of Sodium per liter of sweat. You are a very salty sweater." I rarely supplement my fluid intake with electrolytes. Does that mean I've been doing it wrong for 50 years? Probably yes! Aack! The current wisdom is "Drink to thirst". Is that good advice? "No. Your body always will protect its Sodium concentration, so will reduce your thirst sensation to avoid diluting its Sodium." Don't you continue to make the same mistakes I have. Listen to Ryan on this podcast, and consider being tested yourself. This episode was proceeded by Andy Blow of Precision Hydration, Episode 122 - listen to both to learn more. Ryan is offering a discount to our listeners - here is a link to schedule a sweat test - https://squareup.com/appointments/book/jkoqb7oy11lbfh/LRJPMGSX4AVF4/services - put "FKPODCAST" in the notes section when you book to receive 20% OFF this one time test. The test must be done in-person.

There are a million newsletters out there, and Semi-rad.com is the only one I subscribe to. Why? Because Brendan illustrates (literally) how runners actually feel and think - and laugh! "Pizza is a better invention than the Internet." He wrote and produced an excellent video, which has received over 5 millions views because it was real, called "How To Run A Hundred Miles." He even once interviewed me (Buzz) on the Off The Couch podcast. "Whenever I'm having a bad day, I remember that at least I did not invent Facebook." His new book, published March 16, is, "I HATE RUNNING and you can too. How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion." It's worth it especially for the illustrations. I recommend it. Here is our very brief Book Review. Listen to this podcast, as Brendan makes sense of our "irrational passion".

Co-host Hillary Allen asks, "You set an FKT just two days ago - what FKT did you crush this weekend?" Tyler quickly answers, "It crushed me! I've been wanting to do the Lost Coast Trail for years, and finally did it." The Lost Coast is called that for a reason - located in a state with a population of 40 million, one runs along a deserted beach (be sure to first check the tide tables), then over and over steep hills with the Pacific Ocean on one side and a Redwood forest stretching out on the other - and for 57 miles, you might not see another person. "FKTs are these incredible adventures - races can't be held on this fantastic routes."

Joe McConaughy and Coree Woltering independently decided to try for an FKT on the Arizona Trail. Our Social Media Coordinator Allison Mercer heard about this, contacted them, with the result being Joe and Coree decided to start at the same place at the same time ... and see who makes it from the Mexican border to Utah first! "I think we'll have different FKT strategies ... I'm not sure how much he is going to divulge, and not sure how much I'll divulge ..." Coree was Nominated for the Fastest Known Time Of the Year last year for his Ice Age Trail FKT, and Joe was #2 FKTOY for his Long Trail FKT, so both have endurance cred. And both are fast - Coree has a 2:26 Marathon under his belt, and Joe has done a 50 miler in 5:22. "I've always started slow and built up ... and will do that this time especially ... " NOTE: Very unfortunately, Coree experienced technical difficulties for both our two recording attempts and so was unable to be on this podcast. NOTE #2: Even more unfortunately, Coree later became injured, and on 3/15 decided not to attempt the AZT at this time. JOE Update: "I'm still on! The snow is a bit concerning, but I feel good that the majority of it will melt off, assuming no more snow. I'm also guiding with Andrew Skurka Adventures after, so it is either 3/23 or bust!"

"Super fast" describes Brittany - she ran a 2:33 at the Olympic Trials Marathon for 13th place - but she had never set foot on a trail. Since then she won the Pikes Peak Marathon and last month set the Course Record at Moab Red Hot. "I had this stigma about trail runners in my head, like they all were burly with beards. And there were wild animals out there." "But then Covid hit, so no races. And someone said, 'Why not try an FKT'? I had never heard of an FKT." Now she has set three, making a VERY quick transition! "My coach said I needed to learn to power-hike. I said, 'Why would I do that? I'm just going to run everything.' Then going up Shadow Canyon the boulders were as tall as your face ... now I listen to what my coach says!" "Trails have been everything I needed. You're part of a way bigger picture. Trail runners are my people." This podcast was recorded on International Women's Day, with Hillary Allen as the Host.

One of best known ultrarunners of his generation definitely has not stopped going big and going long ... he now does it across four different sports.  Running, climbing, skiing, and cycling (but no hiking!)  "I never thought or said, 'I'm not a runner anymore'; the space just opened up to do these other sports I'd always been interested in." Once known as the "Apostle of Minimalism", Tony might now be considered one of the most thoughtful, experienced, and insightful participants and commentator of endurance sports. "Ultimately you're just out there trying to develop and honest relationship with yourself.  That's what your exploring.  And the setting is there to facilitate that." Mentioned in the Podcast R2R2R in the Grand Canyon - blog post Longs Peak Triathlon FKT - video Episode #1 - our first ever podcast, with Anton Episode #9 - Bill Wright talks climbing Karma Police - Radiohead

Roman Dial has done things you never imagined. Do you aspire to do a 100 mile trail race? He's never done one - instead he invented races that make 100's look like a 10k in Central Park. "Three of us decided to see how far one could go completely Unsupported. I ended up hiking 625 miles across Alaska in 25 days. All food and gear with me start to finish. My pack weighed 59 lbs; 45 of which was food." Most of Roman's trips were "OKTs" - "Only Known Times". But in this very podcast, he coined the term "LKTs". What's an LKT?? "Loneliest Known Time. When you're out there forever, by yourself, and nobody knows about it or cares!" "Anytime we can put the limelight on Roman, he deserves it. What he did in Alaska for decades is almost entirely overlooked because he did it in Alaska and because his activities predated social media and the blogs." - Andrew Skurka Purchase Roman's book, "The Adventurer's Son: A Memoir". “A brave and marvelous book. A page-turner that will rip your heart out.” —Jon Krakauer

Dr. Teddy Bross has finished seven 100 mile races (and 12 of the Nolan's 14 summits :-), and is a physician. Host Hillary Allen asks him for his best advice to manage your long projects in the winter. "The R2R2R.alt is probably too short a swim to develop hypothermia, but is a perfect scenario for 'cold shock'." Teddy confirms Rob Krar's theory (previous week's podcast), that rather than taking the time to change in and out of a wetsuit, it was more important to get warm immediately once out of the water by putting on an insulated puffy jacket and getting moving. "Moving your body by immediately moving is great. But it is depleting glycogen stores, so dehydration and bonking cannot be overlooked." People die from hypothermia. Listen to Dr. Bross's advice so you're not one of them!

What's it like to run long and hard, as a couple? Is it easier or harder; more fun or a struggle? Host Hillary Allen speaks with Brittany Peterson and Cody Lind, who as a team set a big FKT on the Superior Hiking Trail last year, bettering the previous Male time by 18 hours and the Female by over 2 days. "Western States will be interesting - she'd like me to pace her, and I'd like her to pace me!" - Cody Don't miss what's coming next for this dynamic duo: "There's a route here in Idaho - I don't want to give away Cody's secret - but it's an FKT waiting to happen." - Brittany "FKTs are such a fun process, of being creative, then putting it out there to see who goes after it!" - Brittany Special thanks to Chaski Endurance Collective for sponsoring this episode. Chaski is reinventing online coaching for endurance athletes. Hand picked elite athletes like FKT rockstars Coree Woltering, Devon Yanko, and Mike Wardian, coach runners of all levels to chase their own dreams through human-to-human, science-based training. Join their ground-breaking community with a FREE month of coaching when you sign up for any of their coaching programs and mention FKT! Go here: http://www.chaski.run/fkt

Rob and Mike not only did a great route in fine style, but their photo went big in the FKT world. (It should be on the cover of Outside Magazine!) R2R2R.alt runs across the Grand Canyon, with the same distance and elevation profile as the very popular (overpopulated?) Rim to River to Rim to River to Rim route. Big difference: there is no bridge across the river - have to swim! Join co-host Hillary Allen in hearing more memorable thoughts from Krar and Foote. Special thanks to Chaski Endurance Collective for sponsoring this episode. Chaski is reinventing online coaching for endurance athletes. Hand picked elite athletes like FKT rockstars Coree Woltering, Devon Yanko, and Mike Wardian, coach runners of all levels to chase their own dreams through human-to-human, science-based training. Join their ground-breaking community with a FREE month of coaching when you sign up for any of their coaching programs and mention FKT! Go here; chaski.run/fkt

Use this Discount Code!  15% off your first order via their website: FKT Hydration, electrolytes, cramping ... do you need to know more?  Of course you do!  This podcast delivers excellent information - Andy knows what he is talking about - and our own Allison Mercer tested the products. We used to be told to drink up to a gallon of water per day - but more people are hospitalized with Hyponatremia than dehydration!  Now we're told to "Drink when thirsty" - is that correct?? No.   "The body will protect blood sodium at all costs. Even shutting itself down."

The finale! Voters selected the top two FKTs in Europe for Female and Male, from a Nominations List of 23, out of 1,308 FKTs set in Europe in 2020. Each one is different. Each person tells their story, in their own words.  Listen up! Are you enjoying the podcast?  Help us keep doing it - please Donate now: https://www.patreon.com/fastestknowntime https://fastestknowntime.com/support

There were 1,308 FKTs set in Europe in 2020.  A panel of experts nominated 23 of the best, then they voted.  Here is the #3 Woman and the #3 Man; next week we hear from the Top two’s. We start with an Introduction to the European FKT with Matt Lefort, a native of France, who’s been living in Andorra for 12 years, and just moved to Norway. He offers good insights that set the stage. Let’s listen to our first two winners, an English woman living in Germany, and an American living in England! Like what you hear?  Help us keep doing it - please Donate now: https://www.patreon.com/fastestknowntime https://fastestknowntime.com/support Music: bensound.com

Listen to the amazing stories, directly from the people who did them! Wrapping up the 2020 Fastest Known Time Of the Year Award for North America in this order. Thanks to presenting sponsor, The North Face! Sabrina Stanley - #2 Female - Nolan's 14 2d 0hr 49m; 100mi; 42,000' Joe McConaughy - #2 Male - Long Trail 4d 23h 54m; 273mi; 65,370' Kelly Halpin - #1 Female - Wind River High Route 2d 11h 37m; 97mi; 30,000' Joey Campanelli - #1 Male - Nolan's 14 1d 17h 33s; 100mi; 42,000'

This is a big podcast! We hear stories from who the voters selected as their most inspirational FKTs. Thanks to presenting sponsor, The North Face! FKT'ers we talk to today in order: Adam Kimble - #5 Male - Tahoe Rim Trail 1d 13h 12m 15s; 170mi, 26,913' Alyssa Godesky - #4 Female (tie) - Adirondack 46 High Peaks 3d 16h 16m; 160mi; 67,412' Kaytlyn Gerbin - #4 Female (tie) - Wonderland Trail 18h 41m 54s; 93mi; 24,000' Mikaela Osler - #4 Female (tie) - Colorado Trail 10d 12h 36m; 485mi; 90,000' David Ayala - #4 Male - Sierra High Route 4d 3h 36m; 195mi; 43,000' Sarah Hansel - #3 Female - Nolan's 14 2d 9h 43m 34s; 100mi; 42,000' Eric Gilbertson - #3 Male - Rocky Mountain Slam 60d 9h 20m; 1,030mi; 432,500'

The 2020 FKT of the Year Awards are presented by The North Face. There were 2,784 FKTs set in North America in 2020 - yikes! How do we sort them out, and find the coolest ones? Hillary and Alex are here to help. "Women set FKTs this year that were the fastest Overall - Hillary" "There were 10 different FKTs on just the Wonderland Trail this year - Alex" "Joey's Unsupported time on Nolan's beat the Supported times of some of the best runners anywhere" "Kelly is not a strong racer, so I don't think people recognize how strong of an athlete she is" Definitely read the Nominations List on the website, and post your own thoughts. The next two podcasts on Jan 1 and Jan 8 will announce the North American winners. Then we launch the FKTOY Award in Europe!

YOU asked, and the experts answered! These are just some of the questions from our listeners... What type of sun protection is best? "I'm a fan of covering up" - Mary "A hooded shirt is the way to go" - Andrew Is "Sunscreen the New Margarine?" - Buzz How much of a difference do trekking poles make and how to know when to use them? "Poles are standard equipment. Like wearing a shirt." - Andrew "They can be difficult in technical terrain" - Mary "The Black Diamond 'Z-folding' running pole was a game-changer" - Andrew   For those long efforts, how best to recharge my GPS watch, phone, etc? "A 10,000 mAh battery pack is the sweet spot" - Andrew "You can get 3 phone charges from an Anker" - Mary "Solar power is great, but has a terrible weight/power ratio for this purpose" - Buzz What tips would you have for someone getting started in packrafting? What socks and gloves do you prefer during winter time? "The RBH Designs mitten is expensive, but it's the best" - Andrew Andy: What’s the single 'must-have but they might not know about it' piece of gear? "I tested a Zoleo this year - this PLB is designed to be paired with your phone, so is lighter than a Garmin or SPOT" Mary: What bit of gear has impressed you the most? "The Gaia GPS app! We just added Snotel sites as a map overlay."

Sean McCoy has been with the Gear Junkie since this excellent website was started 14 years ago - he knows gear!  Need a holiday gift idea?  Wondering what you need for your next FKT? Sean has been there, seen that - what are his recommendations? "I'm an adherent to the 'buy once, cry once' philosophy - if it's a sport you're committed to, get the best now, and then use it until it falls apart." Oldies But Goodies Anything made with DCF (Dyneema Composite Fabric; formerly Cuben Fibre). Sean has a Hyperlite pack made with DCF that he's been using for years. Sean's PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) is a SPOT. It doesn't have the ability to send texts like the popular Garmin Mini but all he needs is the SOS feature. There is a new PLB: the Zoleo - it's designed specifically to connect with your phone, so is smaller, lighter and less expensive, while still having an Check-In and SOS button which operate even without your phone. New For 2020 The Dahlie Winter Run Jacket has Primaloft Aerogel in the chest area only - it's the lightest insulation there is. Black Diamond has 3 new lightweight crampons ("traction devices") suitable for running. The Distance Spike not only has 14 spikes, but a toe cover to keep your feet warmer and prevent pressure points on the straps. The Blitz Spike is extremely lightweight, with small spikes only under the ball of your foot, for those quick but dangerous frozen snow crossings. VJ Shoes is a Finnish company that claims their shoes have the most traction. The iRock 3 has huge 7mm lugs, which is great for winter and other soft surface conditions. Coming Soon The Nike VaporFly changed the world of running shoes, particularly for road marathons, and their Zoom Fly and their subsequent models such as the Next % continued the tidal wave. Other company's rushed to produce a shoe with a similar carbon plate and energy-return system.  The North Face may be the first to create a trail shoe using this technology. It's not available yet - stay tuned!

Four short highlights from Season One you may have missed or need to hear again. The best 10 minutes from each! Episode 1: Tony Krupicka on the Longs Peak Duathlon (our most listened-to podcast ever). Free-soloing is all about "how you feel". "Sometimes being successful means just getting back to the car. Alive.” Episode 2: Karel Sabbe crushes the FKT on the Appalachian Trail. How did he beat the best ultra-runners in the country by FOUR DAYS? "I learned it was far better to start very early and get the miles done, rather than struggle in late and tired." Episode 10: Heather Anderson is the first women to do the Calendar Triple Crown of Hiking. She once held the Overall Self-Supported FKTs for the AT, the PCT, and the Arizona Trail, simultaneously. "I wanted to relinquish control, let go and let it unfold. It was an area of growth for me.” Episode 13: Jim Walmsley and two friends swim across the Colorado River. The R2R2R.alt has become epic for combining adventure and beauty. "It's really aesthetic, because the Bass is the only trail other than the Kaibab that goes completely from one Rim to the other, with the only catch being, there is no bridge across the River..." This Episode is a tight 45 minutes of the best advice from the best FKTers.

Simple question?  Let's hear answers from 3 people who should know: Peter Bakwin - Co-Founder; 26 FKTs (9th overall) Marcy Beard - 32 FKTs (4th overall) Jason Hardrath - 82 FKTs (going for 100!) Peter: • The route resonates with you - personal expression. • Do the homework - practice on it • If it's a new route, convince us why others will want to do it • Consider what might go wrong - then be flexible when something else does "Training is the fun part." Marcy: • Select the route - using the FKT website for distance, vert, difficulty • Is the route cool - is it something that calls to me? • Study and bring maps - get every detail right in advance, including scouting • Lifestyle - move our home to where we want to be, and go for the FKT when the time and weather are optimal "The Garmin Mini is great - it pairs with my phone so I can send texts from anywhere." Jason: • Do the research • Should be a route that is attractive for others; not just something nobody has done yet • Should fit your skill-set and aptitude • Commit to it, and respect what it requires "You want a route that demands respect; not a route that you can just show up, and nothing bad can happen."

Allison Mercer is our Social Media Coordinator. She and Ben Mercer met on the trails, she admired his FKTs, so they got married and now have set some together! In October they did the Georgia segment of the AT together, Unsupported, finishing it in "a Michael Jordan time of 23:23!" Allison also answers all your questions submitted on the Contact Form. So we quizzed her on the spot with actual questions that have been submitted! How did she do? Hello, just wondering if there is an FKT for just the Blue Ridge Parkway 469 mile ride? A couple water skied 62 miles across northern Lake Michigan. Is this an FKT? Route name: London Monopoly Board Run. Will this be added as a route? 贸易有限公司！主营衣服鞋等服装网址1.com If I get water from a gas station, is it still an Unsupported run? Listen to find out her answers. (Hint: she got every one right).

What is an FKT Challenge? (Michael started one, and their Award Party is November 15). "These are the routes we like to run. They are quite technical. You can never be too competitive, because they are very rocky and steep, but that’s what we consider a good FKT route." "We had 100 people trying one route in one month." How do tourist boards help create FKT routes? "People were thinking, 'I’m not the best runner, but I have a really nice hiking trail in my backyard, we all know it but no one else does, so I’ll do it, have a great time, and submit it.'" What are the best FKT routes in the Alps? "The routes that are well known are competitive - unbelievably competitive. On one 100km route this summer, there were two runners on it, coincidentally the same day. They were top ten at UTMB and Tors de Geants. After 17 hours they finished 10-15 minutes apart." Links mentioned in the podcast: FKT Challenge in Austria: https://fastestknowntimeaustria.com/ Facebook Group FKT Austria: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fastestknowntimeaustria Facebook Group FKT Germany: https://www.facebook.com/groups/237872827465945 Thruhiking Europe style: https://fastestknowntime.com/route/traumpfad-munchen-venedig-german-austria-italy Berliner Höhenweg: https://fastestknowntime.com/route/berliner-hohenweg-austria Watzmann Via Ferrata FKT (with Video) https://fastestknowntime.com/route/watzmann-traverse-germany

David, along with his wife Megan, is an excellent runner, and a renowned coach ... and is he also the most positive person in the world? We asked four of his clients what they thought! "He is very high bandwidth -- making hundreds of runners feel like he's truly their personal coach." "I'd say he's the most enthusiastically and eternally optimistic person there is when it comes to his athletes." 'He's a low-key savant. And a brilliant environmental lawyer on the side." "David helps so many athletes see their potential successfully; it really is incredible. Only 6 days a week with a full on rest day for all his athletes, which is far less intensity than I've seen; it is incredible how successful his program is." What are David's thoughts on 'rest' versus 'volume'? (You'll be surprised). And finally: "His perspective and aerial view on life and the world is cosmic. Sometimes I think he's living in the year 2500 and his 2020 avatar is just trying to correct all of our dumbass mistakes we're making today."

Meghan Hicks has run countless ultra marathons, while she seems to specialize in the really long adventures. Such as five top-ten finishes at the Marathon des Sables! More locally, she has great results on the iconic Nolan's 14 line. "I played around on the Nolan's line for 2-3 years before I thought it was even possible to do it". Then she set the Female FKT in 2016. Which Sabrina Stanley broke on August 10 this year. Which Meghan took back on September 5. Which Sabrina re-took on October 3. The ladies are getting after it! A special Thank You to Zoë Rom, for co-hosting this week's episode! Please support what you listen to: https://www.athleticbrewing.com https://www.patreon.com/fastestknowntime https://fastestknowntime.com/support

Zoë is a podcast host (see link in her CV below), has graduate degree in Environmental Journalism, and could be a public speaker - you should listen to this one! "It's a tough time to be an independent publisher. I urge people, if there's something you like, you should absolutely become a supporter. It's not enough to just enjoy what we enjoy, we must become mindful consumers." And her insights on technical FKTs is a must listen: "I have a higher tolerance for exposure than I do for choss ... as long as it isn't moving underneath me, I'm OK." Mentioned in this podcast is the convo we had with Courtney Dauwalter. "What brings joy into your life? Find a way to help keep it going." (Note): This website is the same as Wikipedia - we are a free service providing crowd-sourced fair and credible information. Please support what you value so it will continue: https://www.patreon.com/fastestknowntime https://fastestknowntime.com/support

Sean O'Rourke defended his PhD thesis in 2009 (so he is a doctor) and instead of starting a job, immediately moved into is car so he could climb more mountains (thus he's a legit dirtbag too). And those 18 FKTs? "I’m a so-so runner and climber who has found a niche and focused on it." Nice work Sean! Dr Dirtbag has since written a book, bike-packed in South America, and ... lives out of a slightly larger car. "I am pretty good at objectives with: (1) enough climbing to keep the runners away; (2) enough running to keep the climbers away; and (3) no money to be made." Thanks to sponsors PATH Projects (www.pathprojects.com) and Athletic Brewing Co. (www.athleticbrewing.com)

Matt is a longtime endurance athlete who wrote a startling new book, just published on October 6, on the Alberto Salazar doping scandal and the dominant (domineering?) Nike Oregon Project. This corporate giant was on top of the running world, until Salazar was given a 4 year suspension last September 30, causing the NOP to shut down immediately after. INSIDE NIKE RUNNING AND ITS CULTURE OF DECEPTION "An explosive behind-the-scenes look that reveals for the first time the unsettling details of Nike’s elite running program—the Nike Oregon Project—exposing a litany of lies and deception, and a culture built around performance-enhancing drugs." Matt has been working on this book since 2017. He interviewed over 100 people. He knows his stuff ... and it's very interesting! "When I visited Nike's Oregon campus in December, they were re-opening the Salazar building, like everything was fine. But 400 Nike employees were out there picketing their own company. They were carrying signs reading, 'Do the right thing', and 'We believe Mary.'" Buy the book: https://amzn.to/36RpTwd

This is cool! The two ladies started on the same route at approximately the same time, but from different places - who would complete the route first? "I’m very surprised we seem to be the first to have done a “race” style FKT, it certainly added a fun element to the attempt." - SARAH "It was good to know Sarah was out there - a little different because it added pressure, but helpful." - ALYSSA The 'Beast Coast' sometimes doesn't get enough attention, and the two women describe what makes it special ... and hard. This episode is sponsored by PATH Projects – www.pathprojects.com

That's no typo: the Rocky Mountain Slam has 432,500' of elevation gain. He climbed 205 summits in 1,030 miles, and set FKTs on Colorado's Highest Hundred and the Wyoming 13ers en route, without attempting to do so. "This summer I had originally planned on a 2-month international mountaineering expedition, but had to cancel at the last minute due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions in early June. So I decided to climb the Colorado 14ers, Wyoming 13ers, and Montana 12ers. The day before I left I decided to also try to squeeze in the Colorado Centennials." Two weeks notice, massive, unprecedented route - no problem, right? Right. Eric did not get lost, sick, or injured over 60 days. "I like to climb mountains."

We've heard from people doing the incredible high routes, going non-stop often above timberline for days - now let's hear from one of the fastest FKT runners out there!

Dang - this is the last big route I always intended to do myself! It's that good, that big of a prize. Justin Simoni finally accomplished it, then 19 days later Nick Pedatella and Ryan Smith crushed this huge route on the Continental Divide in Colorado. "It seemed right on the edge of feasibility - that's what attracted us to it." Staying on the crest, they summited 50 named peaks all over 12,000' high, including much 4th class and some 5th class scrambling. "We didn't see a tree for two and half days!" "You can't make a mistake - you have to pay attention all the time." The duo went Unsupported, non-stop, through two days and two nights. "It is definitely a great route! Very challenging in many ways, and pushed us right to the edge."

Thanks to PATH Projects for sponsoring this episode! Visit pathprojects.com "The World's Toughest Race" - probably is! After a 17 year absence, Bear Grylls brings back Eco-Challenge on steroids, with a massive budget and plenty of stories, all on a bigger and badder course. The 417 miles on Fiji, included all kinds of paddling, trekking, biking, ropes, and wading through hypothermia-inducing cold water; the 66 teams were given 11 days to finish, and for 22 teams, that wasn't enough. The 10-part series on Amazon Prime is definitely worth watching. Danelle and Rea were there. Both outstanding athletes, they provide us with great insights on E-C as they participated at opposite ends of the spectrum. Danelle (Podcast #35) was on Team Endure, which garnered the most TV time of the entire show, as it featured her friends Mark Macy, who has done every single E-C and now has Alzheimer's disease, supported by his son and top racer Travis Macy. Rea (Podcast #75) was on Team Canada, which got no camera time, as the E-C staff had not heard of them. Which was a big mistake, as they also had Ryan Atkins (18 FKTs and Podcast #73), who like Rea is a top Obstacle Course Racer. They finished a strong second. Both have applied for E-C 2021, so stay tuned! Rea will stick with her team, and now that Mark has retired, Team Endure will add their former AR teammate Dave Mackey! Look out...

What's new, cool, and coming? Find out on our 100th podcast, with the four people who keep track of what you do. Sign up for the FKT Newsletter here! Very good content, and unlike most newsletters, it's not all advertising. Every Monday. FKTs in the news: Five Thirty Eight documents the increase in FKT's with great graphics in, "Canceled Races Aren’t Stopping Endurance Athletes From Setting Wild New Records." National Public Radio aired a 4 minute interview on FKTs, "Alone in the Wild: Endurance Runs Gain Popularity." Outside Magazine hops on the bandwagon with "The Enduring Appeal of the Fastest Known Time." Podium Runner says, "FKT: the Pandemic Proof Challenge." Colorado Sun describes, "Without the burden of races, Colorado’s long-distance runners are shattering trail records."

Courtney once ran 279 miles ... and received a "DNF"! Huh? How did that happen? "They ring a bell when it's time to start, and if you don't go right then, you're out. That's it." "It takes two to tango, two to keep the game going, to see what's possible." From choices of candy, to Bronchitis on the Colorado Trail, and the amazing world of Big's Backyard Ultra, Courtney offers wonderful, simple, and helpful insights. "Running is so cool … it’s such a cool way to explore, and to spend time with people, and with ourselves.” "Running is a choice ...to live our lives however we want, to make choice to do or not do things. I'm choosing every day to run and explore these long distances because I love it. To keep this perspective every day is helpful, and I feel very lucky for that."

She recently set an incredible unsupported FKT on the Wind River High Route - solo! We're talking with Jackson, Wyoming's Kelly Halpin, an artist and athlete who takes on huge challenges. Among her other notable FKTs is the Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup (WURL). This episode is supported by Athletic Brewing Company. Go to www.athleticbrewing.com to buy their award-winning, no-compromise, non-alcoholic craft beer.

Damian is highly respected in the UK, and it's easy to see why: besides a 5th place at UTMB and numerous big FKTs, his team collected trash all along the Pennine Way while setting a new FKT. "I've been thinking about this Pennine Way for 4 years, but at 268 miles I was intimidated by it. And I could always say, 'Well, I have a race to prepare for, I can't fit it in.' But this year of course, all the races have vanished, so no excuse." The Pennine Way is the first "National Trail" in England, with a remarkable history. Inspired by the Appalachian Trail, the UK had too much private property for any long trails. So in 1932, the "Mass Trespass" took place in the Peak District, which forever changed "rambling" in the UK and made possible all the terrific big routes in the UK. "It used to be the rich elite owned most all the land, and the common folk couldn't go hiking in the hills because that land was private. So a bunch people got together, in what is not called the Mass Trespass, and that led to a change in the laws. So hikers could go hiking in a lot more places. From those protests, Pennine Way was born." Damian and John Kelly (previous podcast and Pennine Way FKT holder for only 8 days) are friends, have paced each other, and even considered going for the Pennine Way FKT at the same time, by going in opposite directions (would have been a first - I hope someone tries this!) - insider information revealed only on this podcast!

The Pennine Way is 268 miles long and one of the first National Trails in England. The FKT was held by Mike Hartley for 31 years until John broke it. Less than a week later, his friend Damian Hall broke it again! Both Mike and John in attendance at the finish - FKT action is really hot in the UK right now - will John have another go? I asked him - his answer is very interesting! John is a native of Tennessee and the last person to finish the Barkley Marathons. He moved to England last year - what is different? He's been getting after it in his new home - last year he tried the "Grand Round" - self-powered. This is the three biggest "rounds" or link-ups in the UK - the Paddy Buckley, the Bob Graham, and the Charlie Ramsay Round, each done consecutively in less than 24 hours, cycling in between them. That's 180 miles of running/hiking, with 85k of vert, 113 summits, and 400 miles between them. Yikes! What happened? John is articulate, thoughtful, researches and plans everything to the max, and an amazing endurance athlete. You'll enjoy listening to his answers to these questions, and more.

Seth is one of those 'fast guys'. On one of the legendary CU track teams. He ran a 1:06:50 Half Marathon - while running a full Marathon. Meanwhile, Seth set FKTs on many of the Colorado 14ers, from Longs Peak to Mount Elbert ... where he tied Anton Krupicka's 8 year old FKT ... to the second. The very next day, Ryan Phebus broke it by a mere 3 seconds! "After the pressure of college, I took 4-5 years off, which allowed me to get the fire back." Seth is interesting, with a lot of knowledge and a unique perspective. And definitely check out his YouTube Channel - he does a good job with video - 93,700 Subscribers! http://youtube.com/sethdemoor

There are now 52 Routes in Sweden, 34 of which were established just in the last few months!  Why? We like to challenge ourselves, and FKTs are a wonderful outlet. Our view is FKTs should be an ultra distance. Ultra indeed.  Welcome to the country that invented ÖTILLÖ, which is "island hopping" by swimming to multiple islands, running across them, then swimming to the next one. You just put two points on the map, go from A to B, by any route you want, choosing your own strategy. Sweden has other reasons to favor the ultra distances.  Stockholm is at 60 degrees latitude, and most of the country lies to the north of that. It's a little extreme.  In the winter it never gets light, but in the summer it never gets dark - you can save weight by not bringing a headlamp. Listen to more insider stories from the country that decided to not shut down during the pandemic. You can't just locked everything down; it's not that simple.  You need a more dynamic view. Enjoying the podcast?  Notice there is no advertising or sponsors - only YOU keep it happening!  Please donate $10 - $20 now:   https://www.patreon.com/fastestknowntime https://fastestknowntime.com/support

Strava is everywhere! Quietly, not saying much, even though this company is fundamental in our recreational lives. But what goes on behind the curtain? Strava reminds me of Apple - the minimalist interface, the super clean look - and you don't spray, you let the products do the talking. We're focussed on what athletes need and want. We were able to hire the best people in San Francisco because they believed in Strava - we're mission-driven, and they got to build products for a sport they really cared about. Black lives definitely matter - how are you approaching the needed changes in our culture? It's a privilege to do what we do - we run and ride anywhere we want in safety - it's a real learning experience to realize that's not true for everyone. The more you learn, the more you need to learn. We're very committed to being anti-racist. What should we know about Strava that we don't know? "Local Legend" is new - instead of rewarding the fastest person, it rewards grit, persistence, and determination - whoever does a Segment the most times becomes the Local Legend (hot tip: the algorithm rolls over every 90 days.) "Route Builder" is also new - you can create and then follow your own route - we basically know where athletes like to Run and Ride, so that information is used to help you build your route. Then there's the "Kudo Bomb" (what?) - it's a hidden "easter egg" that's not on any of the menus (!) And yes, you can't find this anywhere else, but Larissa divulges how many Users and Activities are on Strava (you'll have to listen to find out)!

On June 15 Joe "Stringbean" McConnaughy took an entire DAY off the previous best Unsupported time on the oldest long trail in the US, Vermont's 273 mile Long Trail. How did he do it? Daylight is an under-recognized factor ... I would run the entire day with sunlight, set up camp at 9pm, eat as much food as I could, pass out for 2 hours until 11pm, be moving by 11:15, run until 3am, pass out at 3:15, get up at 5am, and do the whole thing over again. YIKES! (This is why Stringbean set the FKT on the PCT, the AT, and now the Long Trail, while you and I did not.) Definitely listen to Joe's insider tips - we go into valuable details on his shelter system, food planning (9,000cal/day), and why AT thru-hikers call the state, "Vermud". And, hear what NOT to do! I only brought one water filter. When I lost the o-ring seal, I couldn't get water. So I folded a leaf in half, poked a hole in it, and used a leaf to seal the bottle. My headlamp battery went dead. So I used the iPhone hoping to get through the last night, but then it went dead, in the middle of a moonless night, while crossing a lake on a boardwalk. So I used the light from the display screen of my Go-Pro. A sore throat made eating painful, so I cold-soaked my food, by pouring water into the baggie and letting it sit. I did that with Frito's, nuts ... and made "Oreo slushies". Read Joe's Trip Report and see photos here. Listen to Episode 22, the podcast on his Appalachian Trail FKT here. Important Extra - - - Joe also shares a positive message about integrating his outdoor activities, with the long overdue and super important upgrades to racial equality our country is finally enacting. I’m also hoping this run and my platform will contribute towards positive change and equality in our country. The movement that’s happening in our streets right now shouldn’t stop when we get to the trailhead. Joe cut his toothbrush in half to save weight ... and he also carried 8 rocks, weighing 13.5 ounces, with the names of 8 black folks killed by police (a tiny fraction of the lives lost) to raise awareness of the need to end police violence, stating, We all should bear this weight. Outdoor Afro fund - - - Joe started a fund which has raised (as of this recording on June 24) $7,400 for Outdoor Afro, an organization "Where Black People & Nature Meet." I personally just contributed ... let's have the fastest known time community push this over $10,000! Please consider donating now: https://www.facebook.com/donate/338912980411437/10158117011470991/ At Fastest Known Time, we work hard and pride ourselves on being totally fair. It is all our jobs to ensure our entire country does the same for all its citizens.

Jason Hardrath and Ashly Winchester have notched 81 FKTs - 61 for Jason, and 20 for Ashly - in only the last two years. "I'm not fast, but opportunistic, and will snag the women's FKT whenever possible." "I go back to what Peter Bakwin told me: FKTs are like art - you know it when you see it, and you know it when you don't." Their most recent FKT is the Lava Beds National Monument Traverse: "It's the most number of caves in the country. The craft of this one was devising a route that wasn't too extreme, so someone gets stuck in a hole, while also not the easy caves, with lighting system. So you getting a good caving experience - and you're spending a mile underground." Jason is renowned for his "Stoke Factor" ... does Ashly have trouble keeping up? "We're training for life, because you never know what's coming next." Ashly has her own excellent podcast: www.womxnofthewild.com Enjoying hearing from these great people? You won't hear any ads, there is just YOU - so we're suggesting a donation of $10 or more - please do it here: https://www.patreon.com/fastestknowntime https://fastestknowntime.com/support

Tim Mills brings us news from across the pond, explaining the British FKT scene. Enjoying hearing from these great people? You won't hear any ads, there is just YOU - so we're suggesting a donation of $10 or more - please do it here: – https://www.patreon.com/fastestknowntime – https://fastestknowntime.com/support

Listen to me horribly mispronounce Bart's name, his kind correction, and then Bart explain the situation in Belgium: "Starting today, we have entered the 'Exit Strategy' in Belgium - groups of 20 can go for a run - but no competitions until at least 7/31." Western Europe has a VERY organized trail running scene - routes not only have their own webpages, but are all are clearly marked and identified. Bart explains the difference between "GR" routes, and the new "Extra Trail" designation. "There are 30 Extra Trail routes. They are designed specifically for trail running." Bart is entered into CCC (part of UTMB), scheduled for 24-30 August. Will this huge trail running festival happen this year? "I don't think so. And I definitely hope it will not be a 'trimmed down' version. It should be in its 'full glory.'" NOTE UTMB: This podcast was recorded May 18; UTMB has scheduled an announcement for May 20. NOTE INTERNATIONAL: In the first 17 days of May, 58 new Routes have been established in western Europe alone, versus 56 in North America - unprecedented!

One of the best mountain runners in the world started as a Jiu Jitsu champion in Brazil. Visiting New Zealand in 2006, she got involved with Kiwi adventure multi-sports, then ran a Half-Marathon in the mountains - in the exact same time as her previous best, set on a flat paved course. "My family were fighters. Then I discovered mountains." She's lived in Chamonix for the past 10 years, been on the podium at many UTWT events, set FKTs on some of the highest mountains, and likes to engage in community projects at each of those locations, a project she calls, "White Flow" (see her website): "Running is an individual sport, so sometimes I can feel empty. I am racing, feeling good, but it's just me. So creating this project, I can share, I can share my feelings, because always I want to help more." Fernanda really worked at the Aconcagua FKT, succeeding on her third try, then went back 19 days later for an even bigger effort, being the first woman to go to the top and back starting from the trailhead, instead of from basecamp. "My family and my sponsors were saying, 'Don't go!' But I was motivated, I was feeling good, I wanted to do it." Would she like to set a good time on that big mountain seen outside her window in Chamonix? "Yes, but conditions have to be perfect, because it's on a glacier. I want to come home!"

Fastestknowntime.com volunteer Craig Randall discusses with Buzz Burrell that this virus is not going away any time soon ... so what are we going to do about it? "We put our own country into a medically-induced coma ... I think it's time to revive the patient." The pandemic is certainly an enormous tragedy, which we fortunately took extreme action to limit.  And now two months in, we have learned a few things so we can correct some early misconceptions, and hopefully develop a sustainable plan. "Every day we have been counting the terrible illnesses and deaths. But we should also try to consider and avoid the huge collateral damage caused not by the virus itself, but by our attempts to control it."

There was something wrong with our statistics: during April, there were 31 FKTs ... just from Connecticut! What's up with that? Turns out 7 were from ONE person?  Did Sarah Connor call the Terminator for help? "There are a lot of people out there doing more impressive things right now; I'm just doing a lot of smallish ones. It's been fun!" This is inspirational: you can be 100m runner and long jumper in high school, work at Starbucks in the morning, and set an FKT in the afternoon.  After your nap.  During a pandemic.  "The cool part about FKTs is they bring to these trails you might not otherwise have tried out. I've tried a few trails I didn't even know existed. There's times when I didn't see anyone for 2 hours." I was getting worried about our situation, but after speaking with Sarah, I feel hopeful about our future!

Marshall has been there, and been doing that for decades. His output, especially for the hugely long routes, is prodigious (think running across the US).   "What I was doing was kicking back and having fun.  Showing people you can do more". "Kicking back and having fun"?  Running across Death Valley a total of 29 times doesn't strike me as that much fun.  But that's Marshall - taking humble understatement to a whole new level!  Marshall exemplifies a theory of mine: "Hardcore people never think they are. They think what they do is normal, because hardcore is all they know. People who think they are hardcore rarely are." "My friend and I did 8 Eco-Challenges together. We thought of it as fun - we didn't think it was anything extraordinary." Yeah, right!  Marshall also did Badwater (lowest point to highest point in the US) Unsupported Solo!  He brought all his own water for the 146 mile crossing during July.  How did he do that??  You're about to find out.

Outdoor and running shops are closed! Which is bad for us - but how about for the world's leading brand in mountain footwear? What does it look like from behind the curtain? "It hurts. It's not easy right now. We hit the Pause button on our entire business in mid-March." Jonathan Lantz is President of La Sportiva North America. This is a 93 year old company based in the Italian Dolomites. What does it look like over there? "They can't go more than 200 meters from their house, they can't go outside to exercise; they can go to the grocery store and walk their dog, and that is it." The Outdoor Retailer trade show was cancelled for 2020. Does Jonathan think Amazon will take over, or will brick and mortar shops still be a key part of the industry?

Karl was a mountain bike racer and working as a mountain guide on Kilimanjaro when his friends, noticing he was very fit, suggested he go for Kilian Jornet's FKT.  He asked, "Who is that?  What is an FKT?" Karl went up and back very fast - while wearing a bike jersey - and a new career was launched. That winter he prepared for Aconcagua, and heard Kilian was going also, who then set a new FKT.  When Karl heard the time, he thought, "Oh no! I need to become a better runner. I quit biking, and trained hard, because the up and back it's almost 40 miles." Karl is unmatched at altitude - and he has good stories!

This is our most authentic podcast! We recorded this in-person, sitting outdoors, while maintaining a 7' physical distance - those birds you hear chirping in the background are real! And what could be more important to talk about right now? Exercising outdoors is the single best thing you can do for your physical, mental, and emotional health ... AND ... we are in a pandemic, where safety (not just your own) is paramount, and physical distancing is the law. How do we resolve this? "Outside, where there is moving air, you are moving, there is turbulence to the flow, there is usually a breeze, and that will all cause particle dispersion." Good tips!

Tyler ran the Olympic Trials Marathon, then went to Nepal to hike and relax. Then the global pandemic broke out. So he decided he might as well try the FKT for the Everest Base Camp run. "I was over there, all races were being cancelled back home, so decided I might as well do something." The fast road guy who had never run longer than 6 hours decides to run up to 17,598' and back. "I got my maps out, consulted my calendar, stocked up on Oreos, laid down at 4pm, and rested fitfully until my alarm sounded some seven hours later for my Midnight departure." https://strivetrips.org/blog/ebc-writeup/ - Full write-up (with good photos) of the Everest Base Camp FKT https://personalpeak.ca/quarantinebackyard/ - (Also mentioned in the podcast) The Quarantine Backyard Ultra (April 4!) - last person standing virtual race.

Everyone is disappointed that races were cancelled or postponed. What about the race directors themselves - this is how they make a living - what is their perspective? James Varner, Rainshadow Running: "We're known for our post-race parties as much as the running; it's one big happy family. That's all a big no-no right now with social distancing." Justin Ricks, Mad Moose Events: "When you lose something, you realize what you're missing. When people come back, there will be a lot of positive energy." Justin is a resident of Moab, Utah, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the local closure of this iconic recreation destination: "150-200 business leaders in Moab attended the Grand Council meeting in regard to my events. It’s been an interesting time!" Support your local Race Directors!

Everyone is talking about it so we should as well. But instead of more graphs of "How COVID-19 will spread," we will listen to authentic, personal reports from friends in Europe, the United States, and New Zealand. Each report is very different! We can learn from each other. Note: These conversations were recorded Monday afternoon, March 23, which is important to know as the situation changes every day. Guests: Hillary Allen, France: The epidemic in Europe is 7-10 days more advanced than the US, so her situation is what we might expect to come in the States. Monica Morant, United States: California was the first state to mandate "Shelter in Place", with the Bay Area four days before the state. Outdoor recreation is a way of life here, so what are the rules, and how are people coping? Grant Guise, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand: New Zealand is behind most other countries but has acted decisively. They closed the border and with 2,000km of big blue ocean in any direction and only 4.8M people, they might be able to actually contain the pandemic, rather than "flatten the growth curve" which is all social distancing does. Early on, the Prime Minister mandated anyone arriving must self-isolate for 14 days.

Amanda and Justin were in Kauai to run the Kalalau Trail and thought to check it out. Ill prepared for the humidity, Amanda nonetheless decided to go for the FKT, and succeeded. Justin accompanied her going out (so she is listed as Supported) but then then fell apart from the heat. "We were all wondering, 'where's Justin'? He was two hours late getting back." Three days later he felt better, going an hour faster than Amanda and establishing the Male FKT. Justin always brings attention to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation, which accepts donations, and was named for his former wife. Gabe Grunewald (nee Anderson) was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2009. After that, she became a professional middle-distance runner, with numerous podiums, international appearances, and one national championship, often while having numerous organs removed. She founded the Brave Like Gabe Foundation in 2018 and died in June, 2019, 3 weeks before her 33rd birthday.

Going lightweight saves a ton of energy, but how best to do that? Andrew Skurka was a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, and created monster routes, such as the Great Western Loop and Alaska-Yukon Expedition. He now runs a guiding business (when not racing Marathons), with 29 trips this year alone. Alan Dixon is an engineer and adventurer who helped co-found Backpacking Light, and will be a guide on three Andrew Skurka Adventures this year. These two know the drill! Interestingly, they both say how you use the gear is more important than the gear itself. Andrew and Alan also gave advice for the PCT, and the listed the gear that has changed the sport in the last 5 years including: Andrew and Alan listed the gear that has changed the sport in the last 5 years, including: 1. Garmin Mini: https://amzn.to/2Tzwe8o 2. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Ultralight Mattress: https://amzn.to/2U0yMva

Ryan has been actively racing since 2006 - winning and doing well in 26 Ultra's - then announced for 2020 he will focus exclusively on FKTs: "I like racing, a lot. But this fall I asked myself what I really care to do the most. And that was easy. I love running in the wilderness. Alone in the biggest, best, and most wild mountains." Listen to Ryan recount setting the FKT on Half Dome, while a Freshman in college, before the term had even be coined, and how to get around the new Permit system. And how he always announced his attention to attempt a project in advance, then twice had someone show up to make an attempt with him, then do it faster - and he has no regrets. "People are hungering to be challenging themselves, in wilderness, and on their own terms. This is exactly what FKTs are about." Ryan has a coaching business you should check out: https://trailsandtarmac.com/ Instagram/Twitter/FB: @ryanghelfi

The Stoke Factor goes up a notch with Rea Kolbl and Trever Townsend in the room (or on the trail): “We just like to sign up for things we have no idea how to do, then figure it out!” Rea Kolbl was a competitive gymnast in her native Slovenia, then while earning a Masters Degree in Engineering at Stanford University, realized she could make more money Obstacle Course Racing than indoors teaching Grad students, so she walked out the door and hasn’t looked back. She has never been beaten in an OCR over 30 miles in length, prefers Skyraces to trail races, and really enjoyed Fiji in September for the Eco Challenge hosted by Bear Grylls. Trever Townsend never says, “I can’t do this”, while running and OCR all over the world. “I call it the 'Rudy genetics': I learned if I was going to hang with these guys I’d be dealing with a lot more pain, so I embraced it.” Is OCR for you? Listening to these two, it sounds like a great idea. “I like the challenge of unpredictability. It was snowing, the wind chill was about 6 degrees, and we had to swim in an alpine lake. The ladies cried for two hours." Their biggest project ever is, “Scale Slovenia” this May. Their version of “Lowest to Highest” in Slovenia entails free-diving to the lowest point at a depth of 120’ in the Mediterranean sea, swimming 300 meters to shore, cycling 130 miles, then climbing the highest summit in Slovenia. Scale Slovenia: https://closeencontours.wordpress.com/2020-projects/

The Longs Peak FKT stood for 33 years! The Grand Teton FKT for 29 years ... then Andy broke them both in the span of two weeks! "I'm a mediocre runner and a mediocre climber ... but not many people do both." Andy was Climbing Ranger at the Longs Peak Ranger Station (as was Chris Reveley, the previous FKT holder) so he has extremely valuable thoughts and advice for all of us: "I've backed off more routes than I can remember ... everything has to be perfect." And great stories about style, and what suits you and what doesn't: "I'm not going to solo that technical route; I'm just going to run harder up the trail!"

A resident of Keene, NY, Ryan is one of the guys trading fast times on the Presi and Adirondack Traverses. They get after it, yet it's all one big friendly community. "The previous record-holder came out and helped, making sure I knew the best ways to go." His next project? 500 miles on fat bikes, unsupported, in winter, across Manitoba, on the "worlds longest winter road", the Wapusk Trail (Wapusk is Cree for "Polar Bear"). "Our bikes with gear weigh 100 lbs. Last year we carried a shotgun."

Brett came seemingly out of nowhere in 2009 when he set the coveted FKT on the John Muir Trail, going Unsupported 7 hrs faster than the Supported time. "I think it took Barkley to convince some of the holdouts." He finished Barkley in 2011 and again in 2012, with what is still the fastest time (the course changes so there is never a "course record").  Definitely go to his Athlete page on this website for your bucket list of the most massive hillclimbs: Telescope Peak, Mt Whitney, and the SoCal Triple Crown, which he invented.  And he is a high-end scientist and researcher. This contributed to his success - like other non-runners before him, Brett took a very calculated and methodical approach - he actually practiced filling and drinking from water bottles. "I obsessively focussed on how to minimize time loss ... throughout the course of the JMT, (just using water bottles), an extra 2 minutes each time equals a full hour lost." Listen and learn!

The Te Araroa is amazing: from the northern to southern tip of New Zealand, across the entire island (2 actually) nation! Lucy set the Female FKT, followed by George a mere 4 days later with the Male FKT, completely by coincidence. Lucy's tip for hiking 66 straight days? "Go shove a heap of food in your face, then go again." George met the previous Female FKT holder by chance in a cafe, who told him about Lucy, who was posting good daily reports, so George was able to navigate stream crossings and other potential bottlenecks. Then Lucy had a day when the air was thick with smoke. "I couldn't see well, the horizon was blocked my smoke. I asked a passing mountain biker; he said 'huge bushfires in Australia'. That's when I found out my own country was burning!"

The four FKT principals discuss what specific gear really helped us all move faster, easier, and safer in the mountains and trails. Our thoughts might surprise you, and hopefully they will also help you. "This product straddles being the best and being the worst!" We also discuss what did not work, and really interesting, what is coming next? “20 years from now, when movies are made to have taken place in the 2010’s, they will show everyone walking around staring at their phones!” See the accompanying Article on the homepage of fastestknowntime.com listing each product discussed. And be sure to Submit YOUR Comments - what works for you? What doesn't work? What do you need but don't have?

We talk with the #2 and #1 Fastest Known Time of the Year winners! They tell their own stories, which are amazing listening. "I consider myself a relatively normal person without any particularly special skills. I simply had an idea and dedicated myself to training to make it happen." (Find out what this person did - her definition of "normal" is very "relative"!) From very long trails in the desert to the highest mountain on the continent, the stories are great: "I'm not that fast, but I'm at home on glaciers, up high, in the mountains. This is what I was born to do." And definitely read the accompanying article so you can click through for personal trip reports and photos: https://fastestknowntime.com/article/fktoy-2019-part-two

Let's do this! The #5, #4, and #3 FKTOY for ladies and gents. And EVERY one of these Athletes is on air - 8 people total! Extremely interesting and inspirational - listen to these people in their own words. "I have been chasing what makes me feel alive, what I see is possible, and what scares me...this FKT passion is about the experience, it is about the creativity, it’s about living in a way that’s “worth it” for my own values." (From Buzz: The really hard part was limiting these folks to just 10 minutes - everyone was telling a great story.) "This could be our best podcast ever." Definitely check the accompanying Article on the website for links to the Athletes' own Trip Reports and Photos.

This year's FKTOY coverage is brought to you by the running apparel company, rabbit. Go to runinrabbit.com, enter FKT at checkout, and save 20% on your first order. Thanks for supporting the companies that support Fastest Known Times! Five women and five men will be awarded for the best FKTs in 2019.  Who will they be?  Peter Bakwin (Episode 65) and Andrew Skurka (Episode 26) discuss what inspired them this year. "One issue with this FKT, is that it's not a well-known Route by a well-known person, so some Voters may not understand how incredibly hard it is - the numbers do not describe this." The next Podcast will reveal the #5, #4, and #3 FKTs of 2019.  One thing for sure - they won't be the same-old Routes by the same people!  The first three years of FKTOY Awards saw the John Muir Trail, Nolans 14, and R2R2R win 3 Awards and the Appalachian Trail 2 - in 2019, these four towering Routes are not even on the Nominations List!   "Six Athletes had 2-3 Nominations coming into this year - in 2019 none of them were Nominated - you're going to hear about new people!" Podcast music by Sage Baptiste (instagram.com/imsagebaptiste & @whatablr) and mixed by Kyle Richardson (instagram.com/kylerichardson).

We created short selections from 7 of our best podcasts! Including our very first from September 2018. Each segment is only 3-11 minutes long. Ep. 1 - Tony Krupicka - Longs Peak Duathlon - "Sometimes being successful means just getting back to the car. Alive." Ep. 2 - Karel Sabbe - Appalachian Trail - "I start to hit my stride after 2,000 miles". Ep. 7 - Christof Teuscher - R2R2R2R2R2R2R2R2R! - "If you're willing to put in the effort, what I thought was impossible is possible." Ep. 10 - Heather Anderson - Calendar Triple Crown - "My mom still remembers the day 15 years ago, when I ran down the stairs yelling, 'I’m going to do this!'" Ep. 13 - Jim Walmsley - R2R2R.alt - "I just took off and swam across - my idea was I wanted to set the tone - we're here to do it, we're not here to chicken out." Ep. 17 - Peter Bakwin, Clare Gallagher, Tony Krupicka - FKTOY 2018 - "It's style versus pure performance." Ep. 25 - Kilian Jornet with Matt Lefort - FKTOY EU; Bob Graham Round - "We think trail running is a new sport, but we cannot be more wrong about that". Podcast music by Sage Baptiste (instagram.com/imsagebaptiste & @whatablr) and mixed by Kyle Richardson (instagram.com/kylerichardson).

630 FKTs this year (and more coming in every day) ... what's new and cool? "More women, and more women going solo on technical routes" There were no big efforts this year on the big routes, like the AT, PCT, R2R2R, JMT ... the existing times are too fast! "The low-hanging fruit has been plucked" Who will be the FKTOY winners? What do YOU think? READ the ARTICLE with the NOMINATIONS LIST Podcast music by Sage Baptiste (instagram.com/imsagebaptiste & @whatablr) and mixed by Kyle Richardson (instagram.com/kylerichardson).

These two high intensity people run together, work together, and live together: how does that work? "Unlike having a training buddy, being in a relationship is both wonderful and super, super challenging." I thought we were just going to talk about the good stuff? "No, let's talk about the shitty parts!" What happens when one person is injured and can't run, and the other is crushing it? You can't walk away from it; you're going home to it. We live in a cabin, in the woods, 13 miles outside of town. There's no escaping. "After hard training we're tired, we're hungry, and we snap. But then we work through it - you have to be proactive." If one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong. "We put it all out there. All in." Their "Run Around the World" video series starts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-tsk_yUi_U&t=8s

Josh has run in 13 different countries in a single day, and run a 5k in all 50 states in 6 days! Like the Jared Campbell Episode 61, Josh is a spreadsheet maestro. "The elite talent I lack can be made up for in logistical planning." Josh lives in Michigan and sets FKTs in the western mountains - Midwesterners take note - you can do this! "R2R2R.alt has the same elevation profile as the over-crowded R2R2R, but besides being much more remote and thin, requires you swim the Colorado River. If you mess up, you'll really mess up" "Yeah, you'll drown." Josh tried it twice in November! With an incredible story each time, you really should listen to this. "We sang along to a Ziggy Marly tribute video, ate frozen bananas and drank whiskey until 5am." Definitely read his R2R2R.alt Trip Reports, "Exploring what's possible in a day": https://www.joshsanders.net/ Rails to Trails - check out these great routes: https://www.railstotrails.org/experience-trails/

The success or failure - and misery or enjoyment - of a project is often dependent on your partner! Everyone intuitively knows this but we rarely hear any discussion about it - so let's discuss it with Jared Campbell. Talk in advance to ascertain: - Are we inspired by this route or is it a 'resumé-builder'? - Will there be media coverage or will it be private? - Is this 'do or die' or are we going to 'see how it goes'? - Have the necessary technical skills been rehearsed? Discuss during the project: - An honest look at each others condition - A frank assessment of the conditions and safety - It's a team effort - how can we work together, and maybe support someone who is struggling

Jared discusses the 4 key components - - - 1) Planning Everything is in a spreadsheet! Best weather advice ever (Skurka) Snotel site Plot your route in CalTopo Follow your route using Gaia Best article on how to prolong battery life of your smart phone (Dixon) Rehearse in advance crux technical maneuvers and any new gear "Plan where you're going, and also plan where you might have to bail". 2) Gear "The InReach Mini is amazing" Trekking Poles are used for uphill power, downhill economy, erecting shelter, and stream crossings "My packraft packs down to the size of a one liter bottle" "The pack is key - it's where everything goes - gear must be organized and accessible in the front" "My new favorite gear is the Katahdin BeFree" (filter can be used on other bottles) 3) Food "The longer I do this, the more it looks like everyday food" "I figure 300 cal/hour of moving time" 4) Strategy "There's a lot of room for improvement just in strategy". "You can beat someone who is fitter with better tactics" "Us old guys like the thought of that." (BB)

What is the relationship between speed and safety? What is the boundary and how do you know when you're hitting it? Ultrarunners have the fitness to get really far into the backcountry, but do they have the skill and experience to get back safely? "People are drawn to these routes, because they're super aesthetic, iconic lines. But are they over their head?" "You can download a .gpx file and just follow your watch on a trail, but on technical terrain, that doesn't work." You need to practice. To take time. It's more rewarding to spend years, learning the craft. "Kyle did the First Flatiron over 320 times before setting the FKT." "Kilian has zero chance of breaking Kyle's record on the LA Freeway" What can we all do to be safer? What are the best tips? "By far what makes you safest is your mind." "Don't be in a hurry to go fast." https://www.boulderweekly.com/adventure/kyle-richardson-sets-new-speed-records-soloing-first-and-third-flatirons/

In 2016 Joe climbed all 57 Colorado 14ers, self-powered, riding his bike to each mountain, taking 31 days - and he didn’t bring a foam pad. Earlier he entered the Colorado Trail Mountain Bike race - on a non-suspension bike with a leather saddle. "An ideal aesthetic is not necessarily a rational thing, it's an emotional feeling." He has finished 2nd, 3rd, and 6th at the iconic Hardrock 100. He's done everything from the Iditarod Trail Invitation in the Alaskan winter, the Arizona Trail Race on a mountain bike, to the Tour de 14ers. UTMB was sort of an easy day for Joe. Comfort does not create happiness - that's a bad but persistent modern myth - but when does a project become so hard it's not worth it? Joe is very thoughtful and articulate - listen as he answers these questions, AND, gives us a heads up on his upcoming project, "Home to Home", which uses both photography and music to share his recent Colorado Trail FKT. "Style matters" https://www.alpine-works.com/

Leor won 36 of the 42 races he entered, then in 2013 stopped racing to do FKTs. He held the FKT on the John Muir Trail AND the High Sierra Trail at the same time - then stopped doing FKTs too! What is his new passion? "Big Sur is just as wild as the High Sierra - there are places no one has ever seen". "I've cataloged 157 waterfalls - some I call "FKS's" - First Known Sighting!" See great photos and track his "Big Sur Waterfalls" and "High Sierra Glacial Lakes" project here: https://pantilat.wordpress.com

We discuss the highlights of the year so far, and note that unlike in previous years, there have been no major efforts on the AT, the PCT, or the JMT. Why is that? "FKTs in my opinion can leave the trails and be more creative.” “And maybe the big routes have become too fast!” The California 14ers were just done by a woman, it is somewhat uncommon for a woman to go solo on the technical routes; why is that? "When I choose a partner for a technical route, I don’t care about gender, I care about their experience." “And, maybe women are smarter.” The Fastest Known Time of the Year Award will be back again this year, including a separate FKTOY for Europe. "FKTOY is one of my favorite things, because even if the route isn’t something I’d do, it’s always so inspiring, so interesting.”

Once again Chris McDougall finds a seed of truth and sprouts it into a great story - this time the millennia-old bond between animals and humans, and how that connection can still nurture us. And frustrate us, if you've just entered a burro race. "If you and that burro aren't of the same opinion where you're going and how fast, it can drag you up the side of a cliff or through a boulder field." - Ken Chlouber The story brings Chris full circle, as he first witnessed burro racing at the same time when he visited Leadville to learn about the Tarahumara, who won the 100 mile race then disappeared back into Copper Canyon. "You can't be a bully or a blowhard, and if that sounds more like one gender to you than another, you'll understand why men can struggle at this sport and women excel." "Running With Sherman" was just released on October 15 - buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/Running-Sherman-Donkey-Heart-Hero/dp/1524732362

The Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup encircles Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Joey lives IN Little Cottonwood Canyon! "The Rustler Lodge is closed in the summer, so it's just 3 of taking care of 85 rooms. It's like 'The Shining'". Joey spent 56 days going NOBO on the AT in 2014 for a new Self-Supported FKT, but he took one car ride to a hospital due to injury ... so he didn't claim it. He is not sponsored. He doesn't have a YouTube channel. He just lives the life. "I ski the 'greatest snow on earth' every day in winter, and when it's gone, I run in the same mountains." Joey's WURL Trip Report is worth a read: https://joeycamps.blogspot.com/2019/09/and-i-think-to-myself-what-wonderful.html

From an FKT on the Ptarmigan Traverse to 61,000 vertical feet skied in one day, Mike Foote is as skilled as he is at home in the mountains. But here's question: What's the dumbest thing you've ever done? "My first time skiing I didn't have skins, so for traction I duct-taped pine boughs to the bottom of my skis. Then I fell into a cornice overhanging a 1,500' cliff." Listen to Mike's humble, humorous, and thoughtful recollections of a life well-lived in the mountains and deserts. What is the coolest thing you've ever done? "Maybe coaching HS Cross-Country. Or working for a local land trust saving the places we love."

Katie is from Maine; Germain from France - they both were top 10 at UTMB, then went to New Hampshire for their passion project: the Hut to Hut Traverse. They ran the whole Traverse together, with Katie 2 hours ahead of the previous female FKT. "I was on 'Croo' for 4 summers, and told Germain how at the end of every summer we saw how fast we could go between the 8 Huts." - Katie "The trails in the White Mountains were the most technical I've ever run - it's crazy; we were scrambling while below tree line - it's like a dance on rocks." - Germain What's the difference between U.S. and Europe? "In the U.S., someone might show up in crazy socks, while here, it looks like everyone just walked out of a sporting goods store." - Katie "U.S. runners are fast, because the college system with their scholarships and support increases speed, while here, we're better at steep and technical." - Germain

This August, the pair went sub-4 days on the WRHR, a terrific 100 mile traverse of the Wind River Range in Wyoming. "I was into backpacking and climbing, then discovered trail running and loved the lightweight freedom ... I'm fascinated by how far the human body can go, and how much you can see and experience." This is one of the finest routes of its kind in the world, designed to replicate the Sierra High Route: Stay as high as possible, with scrambling but no technical climbing. Just like the SHR is parallel and above and much harder than the JMT, the WRHR is off-trail and above the Highline Trail. "Maybe we ran 10 or 15 miles - fast-packing - it's an endurance mission." Note: One week after Sara and Emma, their Overall FKT was bested by Skyler Williams, then 3 weeks after that David Ayala took it down again - https://fastestknowntime.com/route/wind-river-high-route-wy Sara's website/blog: https://bivytales.com Skurka's description and route guide: https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/wind-river-high-route/

The competition is intense - how do you start a new running shoe company, and be successful? "My friend gave me a prototype, and I said, 'forget it, don't even try, you'll never succeed against the big shoe company's. But then I tried them on." "We typically don't talk about the product, we just ask people to try them, and that's what comes back: 'Running on clouds.'" This is a fun discussion with the co-owner of an international running shoe company - get the inside scoop on how this all works. "On was born in the Swiss alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running. It’s all based on one radical idea: soft landings followed by explosive take-offs. Or, as we call it, running on clouds." https://www.on-running.com/en-ch/about

Luke has FKTs on the Idaho 12ers (9 summits over 12,000'), and the Utah 13ers (17 over 13,000'). A few weeks ago he did the Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup, a gnarly but entirely logical Jared Campbell route ringing Little Cottonwood Canyon, starting directly above Salt Lake City. "The WURL is a fascinating route; it took several years for me to feel ready to even try it. I wanted to be able to move not only quickly through this terrain, but safely at the same time." Luke is very conscious of the “Kilian Effect”: "I’ve been very careful how I’ve talked about this - I don’t consider it a running route - it’s a mountain route. If you’re an experienced trail runner, you might not have the skillset that’s appropriate to do this route."

The Cascade Trifecta, then the Rainier Infinity Loop - Solo and Self-Supported - one week apart! The Infinity Loop alone is 130 miles with 47,000' of elevation gain. How did he do it? "I slept for 90 minutes the first night, to optimize my summit to start at first light. Then 21 minutes the second night - because I was too tired to move. It delivers full value". "There's something that draws out the authenticity in people - there's a shared experience." Jason has also developed a clever "van life" lifestyle, affording him a lot of mobility and free time, while at the same time is passionate about teaching Physical Education in school: "I was always the kid who couldn't sit still."

This is Sunny Stroeer's second appearance on the Fastest Known Podcast. As a person who not only attempts but thrives on self-supported, big mountain FKTs, Sunny offers honest perspective on what motivates women to try fastest known times. Whether it's the "confidence gap" or "low hanging fruit" FKTs, Sunny talks about what's changed in the landscape of women's FKTs since we spoke to her almost one year ago. It turns out a lot has changed. Since then, women have attempted to break her FKTs on the Aconcagua-360 route and the Pfiffner Traverse and not succeeded and yet, just two weeks ago, a two-woman team broke the record on the Wind River High Route, a super rugged and wild traverse. Sunny just returned to the U.S. from China where she set an FKT on the TransQilian route, an environment she describes as a mix between the Swiss Alps and the Colorado Rockies. What's next for Sunny? An attempt at Colorado's Nolan's 14 in September. Visit sunnystrooer.com and follow instagram.com/sstroeer

Jennifer famously set the Overall record on the Appalachian Trail earning her National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, but is also the author of 7 books, a public speaker, runs a guide service, and is happily married with two children. So how did she go 11 DAYS faster than her previous effort? "I resolved to not set a limit on what I could do - no matter what happened, I would leave the Trail with that question answered." "I was on the Trail I loved, with the person I loved, doing what I loved." http://jenniferpharrdavis.com https://blueridgehikingco.com

No action yet on the JMT, PCT, or AT ... are the existing times just too hard? But Peter is processing 5-8 submissions per day from all over the world! And, stop worrying about "Supported" vs "Unsupported" - "If you want to go solo, go solo. If you want to go as a team, do that. But don't say one is better than the other." And what are the early candidates for this years FKTOY?? (someone has already nominated the Arctic Fox that walked 2,000 miles from Norway over the North Pole to Greenland in 76 days - it's Verified because the fox was wearing a GPS tracker!).

Marcy and her husband John travel the US, living in a camper trailer, and knocking out FKT's everywhere they go. "We've been doing this for 10 years. It's a great way to see the country!" She's also a Hardrock finisher, and done a lap or two of Barkley. But her favorite race? "Big's Backyard Ultra. I'm not real fast, so the 'Last Person Standing' style suits me." Marcy's blog: http://marcy-twss.blogspot.com They're also ticking off the state High Points: http://www.kipley.com/marcy/highpoints/index.html

Josh is from Michigan - sounds mundane? Think again! You wouldn't believe what this guy is doing ... Fastest person to visit all 50 states - and run a 5k in each: 6d, 6h, 58mins! Most countries visited in one day - and run in each country: 13! Most 14ers climbed in one day: 10 "FKTs have become my new obsession. When I race, I pay a race fee. FKTs are 'free' but I appreciate what you are doing so much, whenever I achieve a new FKT, I'm going to make a donation, much a like a race entry fee, to help continue this super rad thing you've got going. Thank you!” https://www.joshsanders.net/blog/greatesthalf

Who won the inaugural Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc and the Hardrock 100? AND, who is a really nice person? You know it's Krissy Moehl. "I love running and I love sharing this with others". She set FKTs on some of the most iconic routes in the west: Tahoe Rim Trail, Wonderland Trail, Trans Zion, and R2R2R. She wrote "How To Run Your First Ultra", and if you purchase it from her website, it comes signed: http://krissymoehl.com

The Hut-Hut Traverse is a New England classic, especially with the "Croo" ... "The section between Greenleaf and Galehead is really steep and usually wet - you have to use your hands - that's what those trails are like." Jeff now lives in Colorado, with more big plans.  What's the difference between the Rockies and New England? "There's nothing like New Hampshire. And I'm still living the dream."

On June 20, Karl broke Kilian Jornet's time on Denali by 4 minutes. After more than 11 hours, it came down to the wire? "He used skis, so I was way ahead at the top, but he was much faster going down." Karl is going for FKTs on all the Seven Summits - he holds 4 of them simultaneously right now! "I'm not that fast, but I'm at home on glaciers, up high, in the mountains. This is what I was born to do." https://www.karlegloff.com

Very honest and insightful descriptions of what it takes to survive and thrive in the biggest events, from two of the best! "100 miles is really hard, it’s a long way - we’re not running for our lives; it’s something we choose to do. So what can we learn, how do we get through the dark places?" "I hate it too - but it's a soul-searcher - but you need it in your life." "FKTs are more personal; they are more likely to be for the right reasons." "Sometimes you can lose sight of why you race, but when it's your own personal FKT, if you're not really passionate about it, you won't even make it to the start." This fun interview closes with advice on the coolest new places to go - China, Italy, Oman, South America, New Zealand. "It's an opportunity to be really free." *Interview Recorded at Outdoor Retailer*

In 2001 Flyin' Brian hiked the entire PCT, AT, and CDT in one calendar year. He changed the game. "The difference between impossible and possible is very narrow." Brian kept going - he's an engineer who likes to solve problems - so he worked at Barkley, and achieved the "course record" in 2008 on his third try. His wisdom is a delight: "Volunteer trail work is a real joy. I'm doing what I can; not worrying about what I can't."

In 2016 Adam took a 200' fall in the Canadian Rockies. "Nick Elson and Dakota Jones ran down and were so relieved to see me moving. They thought I had died”. 10 months later Adam finished the Hardrock 100 in 33 hours. More runners are taking up climbing and skiing - do they have the needed skillset? If you mess up in a race you might get blisters; if you mess up in the mountains you might die. What can YOU do to be safer in the mountains? Adam has some thoughts. "It doesn't have to be hard to be fun!” https://trailrunnermag.com/people/culture/adam-campbells-long-hard-road

Darcy Piceu and Gina Lucrezi share thoughts on this important topic. "We're in a real interesting time right now. If I do nothing else in the sport, it would be to raise awareness." This is a different conversation for Fastest Known Time, and quite worthwhile. Trail Sisters has established 5 recommended practices for races: 1. Equal podium spots 2. Equal prize money and awards 3. Women's-specific swag (not just unisex) 4. Menstrual products at aid stations (events over a Half Marathon) 5. Opportunity for Women at the front of the Starting Line https://www.trailsisters.net https://www.outsideonline.com/2312071/ultrarunning-has-gender-problem https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/opinion/nike-maternity-leave.html http://time.com/5594356/alex-morgan-world-cup/

"Nellie" won almost everything she entered - 441 events with 390 podium finishes - until she almost died. Alone in the desert for 3 days and 2 nights in December, with a broken pelvis, lying unsheltered and unable to move Alone, except for her dog. “Taz,” she said, “maybe you could go and get some help for me.” It's a good story. They were on the Today Show and a Discovery Episode, and now listen to Nellie describe this in person, and what she's doing now. "Dogged" in Runners World: https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a21753658/dogged/ "I Shouldn't Be Alive" on the Discovery Channel: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1575882/

The Colorado and California 14ers have long been top objectives, and the Idaho and Utah summits over 12,000' have been done, but NOBODY had done the highest summits in Montana - until Nate. "I did eight scouting trips, logging over 180 miles, 340 miles, and 126k of vert." Listen to Nate's great description of what's cool in Montana, and how not to get attacked by a Grizzly Bear. "I'm not a great ultra runner ... I just wanted to spend big days in the mountains rambling around."

The "Speedgoat" has won 40 hundred mile trail races, including one every year, 18 years in a row.   "I do want to win my 19th in a row, but at some point it's all going to end ... is that time now"? Listen to Karl's thoughtful and honest comments, what it means to be slowing down, his descriptions of the Appalachian Trail, and ... his next project: "I'm going out there this summer to scout it ... I was looking at the FKT site, and noticed the Self-Supported time is doable ... I may be an old man, but I may be able to bridge that."

Jeff just did the Arizona Trail Self-Supported, 9 hours faster than the Supported time!  How do thru-hikers do that? "I work it out so I can go for hours without even taking off my pack - bending over to get water out of a stream takes time". Really? Yes, really - thru-hikers work to save seconds on trips that may take months.  Jeff has done the Calendar Triple Crown and the Great Western Loop, while only running one ultra - listen to how a real thru-hiker approaches these huge trips. "I was going to start the AZT on April 4, but didn't feel like it ... so I just waited and started the next day".

There are two ways to build a running career: 1) By talking about yourself on social media; 2) By winning races. Darcy has taken the second path! "I was from a different generation … I just like to run … “ She broke Sue Johnston’s 10-year old Female Supported FKT on the John Muir Trail by a whopping 10 hours, and threatened the Overall (Mens) FKT, much to the delight of those following her progress. "That was not my intention … I was just out there, blissfully … At one point, my crew said, 'Do you have any idea what you’re doing?!'"

Jared Campbell is the sleep deprivation king. He has the most Barkley Marathons finishes (3); he has 10 Hardrock 100 finishes including a win; he's the holder of many original FKTs; he founded Running Up For Air and he's rrreally into "speed canyoneering"... wait, what? Finally, he's a "runner's runner." He's basically not on social media or sponsored - instead he's the lead engineer in a full-time job and a devoted family man with a wife and two daughters. How does someone like this push his body and mind to such extreme places, especially related to the Barkley which is as close to an FKT as a race can get? He asks himself: "Is my mind in the right place? Is my commitment there? Over the years I've developed a sense for 'yes, I have my mind in the right place for that amount of time,' whether it's 20 or 30 hours or more." Want more? Check out this video Jared posted in 2011: https://youtu.be/NFCjaKhbHMk

This week we talk with Ryan Sandes all the way from Cape Town, South Africa. His bio is long but what stands out most is his 5th, 2nd and 1st at the Western States 100 where he’ll be racing again this year. Along with preparing to run the iconic Two Oceans road marathon, Ryan recently invented a project called the 13 Peaks Challenge. Similar to the “rounds” in the U.K., there are 13 summits one must tag in 1, 2 or multi-day efforts. The time required and the ambition is all on the individual to decide. “I was keen to do a link up of a bunch of peaks. I’m not very scientific; I didn’t really check the distance between the peaks. I guessed it might be around 50-60 kilometers but it was over 100. 13 peaks is just a rad adventure that anyone can try.” Ryan was intent on creating a logical route - one that didn’t require orienteering experience - so despite some suggestions from friends that he allow variable linkups of all 13 peaks he’s strict on keeping it a loop that finishes where it starts in true “round” style. We also talked about his general feeling on FKTs and why they matter most to the individual, not the public or critics.

It's the 1 year anniversary of FastestKnownTime.com! Buzz and Peter talk about what has changed about the website, its functionality and features, what it means to be the "gatekeepers" of the FKT movement, and much more.

Mike completely disrupts the long-distance paradigm - instead of 1-2 marathons a year, he might do that many in a single weekend. He has run 107 ultra’s in the last 11 years, and most of them fast - his Marathon PR is 2:17:49. And he just completed the Israel National Trail - 1,016km in 10 days, 16 hours, 36 minutes. “I’ve been inspired by this FKT movement … I think there’s freedom with it … and there’s so much opportunity to engage the community.” The “INT” runs South-North, crossing the entire country of Israel, and is modeled after the Appalachian Trail. Mike was tracked on this website, and offered great insights during our discussion: “That’s the power of these things … they bring you to your limits, and that’s what I was looking for.”

At only age 37, Andrew Skurka has already been there, and done that: "Hiking fast was not accepted. I was frowned upon for doing the AT in 3 months." Times have changed, and so did Andrew - he's done massive projects many people may not have even heard of: the Sea-Sea route (7,775mi), Great Western Loop (6,875mi), and the Alaska Yukon Expedition (24 days between road crossings). He's written a book, definitely has the best how-to website for backpacking (andrewskurka.com), and it's worth listening to his perspective on FKTs.

FKTs of the Year in Europe...what an inspiring list! Kilian Jornet was the #1 men's FKT of the Year in Europe for his effort on the Bob Graham Round. Hear from Kilian himself in this new episode.

FKTOY Europe Awards, Part 1, with Matt Lefort, Meredith Quinlan, & Jess Baker - #24 by FastestKnownTime.com

Matt Lefort is a native of France, who 5 years ago moved to Andorra, a mountainous principality in the Pyrenees between Spain and France. He is the Race Director of the Els 2000, and an active mountain runner and skimo athlete. Matt describes how the Euro style is different than the US: the classic routes start on the stone steps of a church, go to the top of the mountain, turn around and come back to the same village. Everything is steeper and more technical; instead of trotting though the woods for days or weeks, FKTs in Europe are part of their centuries-old mountain culture. "The origin of the FKT in Europe is all about getting up and down the mountain." Lastly, Matt gives us a hint on the Fastest Known Time of the Year Awards for Europe - voting has finished; Matt will announce the Results next week.

A resident of Boston, MA, Joe McConaughy set the Supported FKT for the 2,655 mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2014, and on the 26-peak Wicklow Round in Ireland last May.  He is best known however, for his amazing Self-Supported FKT on the iconic, 2,189 mile Appalachian Trail, which not only bettered the Self-Supported record by 8 ½ DAYS, but also the overall Supported record of Karl Meltzer by 10 hours, and won him the Male FKT of the Year Award for 2017. "Not having a support crew really does take it down a notch from what you’re able to provide … you spend two hours in town, and leave carrying 25 pounds of food and supplies on your back.” Listen to Joe very thoughtfully weigh the pro’s and con’s of Supported vs Self-Supported:   "I love going Self-Supported.  At the same time, it’s incredibly hard to be self-supported for a long trail like that.  It’s forced isolation from other people." "Stringbean" has a new website: http://thestringbean.co

Paddy O'Leary is an Irish transplant who on October 13 set the FKT on the East Bay Skyline Trail, running 32.61 miles in 4 hours, 18 minutes, 12 seconds. He was training for the TNF50, where he was 5th place last year; he's also been 3rd at Chuckanut and 4th at Way Too Cool. So what's a young fast guy like Paddy doing running an FKT? "When I moved to the Bay Area 5 years ago I didn't run at all, I was a Lacrosse player who moved here for work. Then I fell in with a bad crew, that peer-presured me into running ultras." "It dawned on me that in Ireland I was a very good lacrosse player but in America, I was one of the weakest players, whereas with running, l was actually pretty decent at it. In the space of 14 months, I went from a half marathon to 100km race." His advice? "I try to take a lot of calories on board every 30 minutes, about 300 to 400 calories an hour. Outside racing, I don't follow a nutritional plan. The marginal gains achieved by having a restricted diet would turn into marginal losses for me because I'd be giving up the enjoyment I get out of food and beer." Photo by Ryan Scura ( http://instagram.com/rscura )

Candice Burt speaks to us from Moab last fall, where she was race-directing the Moab 240 -- she basically invented the 200 mile trail racing distance. And she described going solo and unsupported on August 29 around Mount Rainier on the Wonderland Trail, which earned her the #3 Fastest Known Time of the Year Award. "The Wonderland Trail was joyous, painful, and scary all at the same time. It makes it more of an adventure; you're just relying on yourself, and what you have in your pack is all you've got."

Part two of our special Fastest Known Time of the Year Awards concludes, with the #2 and #1 winners, female and male. All four winners are interviewed for this episode, describing how they did the super-cool FKTs that won them the awards. Who are they? "I planned on running TNF then with no race to run, went after this iconic FKT instead." - "It was so fast, was it like a time trial?" - "It was a long time trial!" "I really surprised myself when I finished, because that wasn’t the plan. I planned to take more rest but I didn’t feel the need when I was out there, I was just moving, then at the end it was 'wow', I was 7 hours ahead of schedule." "I’m super excited, I have goosebumps, I feel this is the Oscars of FKTs, or maybe the Critics' Choice Awards." "Most of my strength comes from enthusiasm."

The Fastest Known Time of the Year Awards are back for the 3rd year! This special Episode features amazing descriptions of the #5, #4, and #3 FKTs of the Year. Adding to the fun is Hillary Allen as co-host, and an appearance by Joe Grant, who beautifully articulates what is meaningful about this sport. "When you stop racing and you start dreaming, that's when the magic happens. And for me, that's what trail running and racing is all about." -- Hillary Allen "My experience was raw, and profound to me. I was happy with the learning that occurred on the route, I was happy with the effort, I was happy with learning the route ... (It wasn't the "number") … Yeah, so the number, there's something to it, but It's not the defining aspect of what makes this notable to me." -- Joe Grant

What was the preeminent FKT in 2018? What inspired you the most? What are your predictions for 2019? Anton Krupicka, Clare Gallagher, and Peter Bakwin answer these questions and more! "Nick Elson on Half Dome and Joe Grants' Nolans - it's style versus pure performance." "When the TNF50 was cancelled, the ladies really threw down - watching Ida, Sandi, and then Taylor in less than a week was really cool." "Karel was super-rad - he cut the time by 10%, and didn't look like he was totally worked."

Sunny Stroeer's impressive resume includes FKTs on the 22,838ft Aconcagua and its circumnavigation, the Annapurna Circuit, and the Pfiffner Traverse. She left a high-paying job as a management consultant -- but kept her hard-charging attitude -- to spend her days bagging many of the world's tallest summits, climbing big walls, and setting records running in the mountains. "I went by myself solo and unsupported and I got a lot of very strange reactions: 'But, where is your guide? Who are you with? Where is your husband?' ... And that just didn't sit right with me." She talks about closing the gender gap in unsupported outdoor pursuits, her preference for slow/strategic risk, upgrading from her Astrovan home, and her huge list of projects on the near horizon. Listen-in, and then learn more (and hire Sunny as a mountain guide) at http://www.sunnystroeer.com.

Peter Bakwin is the only person to do the Double Hardrock, the first person to go under 4 days on the John Muir Trail, plus many other races and FKTs, and is one of the co-founders of this website and podcast. Following up with our “3100: Run and Become” interview, Peter describes his experience of self-transcendence while running, and discusses when ultra-running may become unhealthy. “My own experience is that when you bump up against your perceived limits you either stop or you transcend (usually after a complete melt-down). The latter is clearly a spiritual experience, as anyone who has encountered it will know. All of a sudden energy comes from... not you.”

What if running could lead to enlightenment? This ambitious question is the heart of the documentary 3100: Run and Become. Based around the Self Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, the world’s longest certified footrace, this is an uplifting, intimate portrait of endurance runners who push themselves to the edge of physical and mental collapse, as they endeavor to challenge the boundaries of impossibility. The Director, Sanjay Rawal, is a lifelong runner himself, and he describes a very interesting backstory behind this film which also explores the "Marathon Monks" of Mt Hiei in Japan, and Shaun Martin, a Navaho runner and race director. "Running is a form of prayer. Running is a teacher. Running is a celebration of life."

Jim Walmsley is one of the best ultrarunners in the world, who a few days ago (12/10/2018), with Tim Freriks and Eric Senseman, set a new FKT on the dramatic and adventurous "R2R2R.alt" in the Grand Canyon. "It's really aesthetic, because the Bass is the only trail other than the Kaibab that goes completely from one Rim to the other, with the only catch being, there is no bridge across the River..." Jim describes their preparation, the size and scope of the Grand Canyon, a scouting trip (“we just stood and looked at the River for 30 minutes”), and finally, what it's like to swim across the Colorado River: "I just took off and swam across … my idea was I wanted to set the tone … we're here to do it, we're not here to chicken out."

In 2014 Justin Simoni, the “Long Ranger”, bicycled to all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000’ summits, climbed them, then biked to the next in 34+ days. In 2017 he upped the standard and in 60 straight days did the “Highest Hundred” (summits in CO) in the same self-powered, self-supported style. And his background is an artist, not an athlete. “I look back and wonder, 'Did I really do these things?'" Listen to Justin’s thoughtful discussion on “When is it too much?”, and how to determine “Where to draw the line?”. “Something is always going to go wrong. So just anticipate that as being part of the challenge. This just isn’t a physical challenge. Who’s going to stop you? Just your mind.” And lastly, what’s the difference between an FKT, an “OKT”, and Justin’s speciality, the “WTF”?

Our first-ever live recording! The Trail Running Film Festival was on a nationwide tour when it stopped in Boulder (check to see if it's playing near you), and we recorded questions and comments directly from the audience. Q:  There are 3 styles of FKTs: Supported, Self-Supported, and Unsupported … which one is better? Q: What’s the funnest thing the two of you have done together? Q: What do you guys think about Kilian, and his claim on Everest? Listen to these questions answered on this podcast, along with strategic advice from Peter on setting a new FKT: “If you can’t be fast, be first”.

Nobody can do the big thru-hikes like Heather Anderson - she once held the Self-Supported Overall (not Female) FKT’s for the PCT, AT, and Arizona Trail - simultaneously.  On November 8 she became the 5th person and 1st woman to do the Calendar Triple Crown - the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trails in the same year - and the first Female to do the Triple Triple Crown - all three big trails, three times. "My mom still remembers the day, 15 years ago, when I ran down the stairs yelling, 'I’m going to do this!'" On March 1, 2018, her first book, "Thirst, 2600 miles to home" will be published, and is available for download now. Her TED Talk from 2015 is very good. Heather articulates how she approached this hike differently: "My goal was basically to do these trails exactly how I wanted to do them at any given point in time.  It was good, it was refreshing ... I wanted this to unfold; an area of growth for me.  You can't ever go wrong on a long journey; you're always going to come out the other side, with new insights."

Who is the first person to use the term "Fastest Known Time" in print? Bill Wright co-wrote Speed Climbing: How to Climb Faster and Better in 2004, and has a family, a full-time job, and he climbs, bikes, or runs every day, and he balances all of that by ... going fast. "You don’t have to compete on speed … it's just another way to experience the route, the run, the mountain - but if you do, that just gives you more time to smell the flowers." Is he risking his life? Is scrambling or speed-climbing safe? Listen as Bill's vast experience provides thoughtful views on not only leading a balanced life, but on preserving it: "We put on this scrambling series every fall … Rule #1 is: 'Don’t Die'"

What’s a 26 year old former marathon runner doing setting the FKT on the fabled Longs Peak North Face (Cables) route? “The FKT idea is real motivating to me - it takes away external pressure, but in other ways it adds more pressure because it’s internal - it’s all up to you.” Kate Hale can run, she can climb, and she can bike; listen to her describe her future goals on Longs Peak: “I feel like I am the most laser-focused when I’m in scenarios like that, and that is a pretty addicting feeling.”

This past weekend Christof Teuscher became the first person to attempt and complete a quad-crossing of the Grand Canyon. That's Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim times four, (OK... R2R2R2R2R2R2R2R2R)! He completed the quad-crossing in 58 hours and 10 minutes -- 10 hours less than the previous FKT for *three* crossings! Not bad, especially considering he only starting running five years ago. "If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can do these things. What I thought was impossible is possible -- if you put in the training." We speak with Christof about his remarkable feat.

Kyle Richardson was only 22 years old on Aug 1, when he set the new FKT on the high and technical LA Freeway. His time of 16hrs 28mins 53secs bettered the time of 16hrs 59mins set by Matthias Messner just last year. “The LA Freeway links Longs Peak, the tallest in Rocky Mountain National Park, with Arapaho Peak, the tallest in the Indian Peaks. It’s above 12,000 feet the entire time. It’s an iconic line - this is what you see on the skyline looking west.” “For 14 hours I didn’t see a soul, even though I was right above Boulder, almost in sight of Denver”. There was no water the entire distance, so Kyle describes how he stashed 3 liters of water in two locations, and why this Self-Supported style made the most sense. The route is rated 5.6 in difficulty, but Kyle was ready for it: “Find what inspires you. Then put in the time to learn the route; respect the route. Practice."

David Horton won the first two editions of the Hardrock 100, finished the Barkley Marathons, has both run and biked across the country, and was the only person to hold the overall FKT on both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. He knows a thing or two, including thoughts about the recent FKT action on the fabled AT. “Scott Jurek was phenomenal - he dug deep deep deep into the pain cave. What Jurek did was above and beyond what I’ve ever seen, anywhere. But does he have it deep down for another one? I’m not sure.” David's FKT on the PCT is documented in the 77 minute video, “The Runner”, and last years, “Extraordinary” is an 88 minute fictionalized account of David and his wife. David has run 113,000 miles. Listen to one of the most venerable FKT and ultrarunners ever, as he describes his newfound sport of cycling, and how it was the pavement, not the trails, that wore his knees out. “I’m still an athlete, I still compete. And I can’t ever imagine not being an athlete … can you?”

Alyssa is a “Professional Triathlete who can’t seem to shake her ultrarunning habit”. She has finished 30 Ironman Triathlons, 40 ultra races, and once finished 4th in the Taiwan Ironman using all borrowed gear. On July 31, 2018, she set a new women's FKT on Vermont’s 273mi Long Trail of 5 days, 2 hours. Alyssa describes being inspired by Jennifer Pharr Davis and Nikki Kimball, both of whose Long Trail times she bettered, while noting, “Last year was my 4th as a professional triathlete. I needed to do something different - I needed to keep my fire lit”. She once did two Ironmans on successive weekends in different continents, but notes, “The Long Trail was way harder - the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The terrain is so variable - unless you’ve spent time on this trail it’s hard to describe - it changes every few hundred meters - it’s soul-crushing. Alyssa notes that women tend to want to be very prepared before they undertake something, while men are willing to jump in, even if they’re not 100%. So her advice to women? “Go do it. There’s nothing stopping you, because you get to make it your own. It’s like your own version of The Amazing Race - you get to do that yourself with FKTs”.

Scott is one of the best ultrarunners in history, winning the Hardrock 100, Badwater in Death Valley, the Spartathlon in Greece, and an unprecedented 7 wins in a row at the Western States 100. In 2016 he and his wife Jenny took on a personal project, the 2,200mi Appalachian Trail, setting a new FKT of 46 days, 9 hours. This journey became a book on the New York Times Best Seller List, entitled, "North: Finding My Way on the Appalachian Trail." “We didn’t have all the beta … we wanted the full adventure … if we were to go back we would do a million things different. But it was a great experience, and exactly what we needed.” Listen as they describe the range of emotions experienced on an FKT of this length, and how it’s difficult to to write about their friends, who are all very accomplished people, and also colorful characters … and who still are their friends. Jenny predicts how fast the FKT on the AT will go, and Scott describes what is next for him. Podcast music by Sage Baptiste (instagram.com/imsagebaptiste & @whatablr) and mixed by Kyle Richardson (instagram.com/kylerichardson).

Learn how a Belgian dentist set the FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016, then in 2018, was over four days faster on the Appalachian Trail than two of the fastest ultra-runners in the US. We speak with Karel Sabbe and his support crew, Joren Biebuyck, about their remarkable feat. "I start to hit my stride after 2,000 miles." -- Karel Sabbe Podcast music by Sage Baptiste (instagram.com/imsagebaptiste & soundcloud.com/whatablr) and mixed by Kyle Richardson (instagram.com/kylerichardson).

“Sometimes being successful means just getting back to the car. Alive.” Tony Krupicka is one of the most famous ultra-runners in the world, the figurehead of the minimalism movement, who made a transition to climbing, biking, and skiing, and who continues to inspire thousands with his creative adventures. Podcast music by Sage Baptiste (instagram.com/imsagebaptiste & soundcloud.com/whatablr) and mixed by Kyle Richardson (instagram.com/kylerichardson).