Saturday, April 6, 2013

Zion Traverse FKT

I was able to set the Fastest Known Time for running across Zion National Park today.  It's about 48 miles and it took 7:27:46.

Here's the story from Trail Runner Mag: http://www.trailrunnermag.com/destinations/92-utah/737-desert-solitaire

Ran west to east with support. Got Vitargo bottles from crew at Wildcat and Connector junction and at the Grotto. Thanks to my family, Charles and Nick (support crew), the Fit for a Cause community (www.fitforacause.org), and Vitargo (www.genr8speed.com) for support. Vitargo was awesome for fuel, Hoka Stinson Evos were great, and CamelBack Ultra LR vest was awesome. It was an awesome day in a sweet place. Thanks to Andrew Skurka and Luke Nelson for route info, and I look forward to chiming in on with info for whoever wants to break it next time. Photos and video coming soon atwww.followtravismacy.blogspot.com.

Mixing Vitargo bottles for the run:


Route preview:


Shout out from mile 29:


Finish:


Recap:


Descent to the Grotto at about mile 36.
Distant view of the bottom of the East Rim Trail, which Charles and I ascended at about mile 38.
It was hot, and suffering was plentiful!

The cheat sheet I carried (in addition to a good map), but never looked at:





Nutrition
4 bottles of Vitargo S2 carbo drink mix; 175g carbs and 700 calories per bottle (only calories consumed)
4 bottles of water
2 Fein caffeine packets
2 Thermotabs salt pills per hour (sold at King Soopers pharmacy)

Gear
Hoka Stinson Evo shoes
CamelBak Ultra LR Vest
Looking for sock sponsor...

In Pack
Sportslick lube
waterproof jacket
headlamp
duct tape
pocket knife
space blanket
antihistamine pills
iodine pills and coffee filters
money and driver's license

Splits:
0:00 Lee Pass TH
2:27 Connector Trail and Wildcat Trail junction
4:33 West Rim Trail and Telephone Canyon Trail junction overlooking Grotto area (got here via West Rim Trail proper)
5:16 Grotto
7:27:46 East Rim Trailhead at East Entrance