Here we go. During the Appalachian Trail, I carried two Sawyer filters in each of my front chest pockets. YIKES! I try this for a minute and get less than a mouthful of water. It’s over 7,000 words, so turn on some jazz music and grab a cup of coffee. I just ate 2,5000 calories. On day one, I experienced multiple ankle twists. I’m exhausted. But when you finished, you looked HORRIFIC.’. How Joe McConaughy Crushed the Long Trail FKT By Nearly 24 Hours. They are the change we need to see in the world and on the trails.”. It takes most people six months or more to complete the approximately 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail (AT). The Long Trail traverses the state of Vermont and runs from the northern to the southern border. McConaughy’s pack weighed 27 pounds when he started at 6:30 a.m on June 10. The trail is humbling, inspiring, and grueling. Holy crap. Hopefully I will be fine, but eating some foods is becoming painful. At this point, I try not to focus on the details and my slowed pace. Each day, I cherish her response to the multiple daily voice memos that I sent. How Joe McConaughy Crushed the Long Trail FKT By Nearly 24 Hours. 936 Likes, 90 Comments - Joe McConaughy (@thestring.bean) on Instagram: “Long Trail FKT Announcement . With coldness trying to permeate my quilt, I try to catch a little sleep. At about 53 miles out, my energy starts to plummet. My adrenaline is pumping. That is the real FKT! New Long Trail Men’s FKT on the 273 mile Vermont Long Trail - 4 days, 23 hours and 54 minutes ⛰⚡️. After a few minutes, I find myself on solid ground. This becomes particularly problematic when I am going uphill. His solution was to make “trail smoothies” where McConaughy would take some of the food he brought—for instance, a bag of Fritos—put it in a plastic bag, add water, shake it up, and drink the makeshift concoction. Halfway up, I decide I’m terribly sleep deprived. She has received multiple text messages from me, each more dire than the next. I’ll need 3.2 mph to beat Jonathan Basham and 2.7 to beat Jeff Garmire, so I’m optimistic. I’m not longer having issues running. The goals of day one and two were to cruise. He hiked the 2,190 … When I did the Appalachian Trail in 2017, it took me a few days to really have any fun. My back is the lightest it has ever weighed. September 2, 2017 Averaging an amazing 48 miles a day, Joe McConaughy crushed the previous unsupported speed record for hiking the Appalachian Trail. String Bean put his sights on the unsupported Long Trail Speed Record. You can donate here.). Sitting by a nice stream, I scarfed down the whole meal in 10 minutes flat. In fact, it only accentuates the significant pain in my feet from my blisters. My thoughts wander to little electronic gadget shooting a beam of light from my head. We laugh about how ridiculous, yet enjoyable, this whole experience is. I’m desperately cold. I don’t hear any response. String Bean put his sights on the unsupported Long Trail Speed Record. I get short of breath. Long Trail Announcement – Part ILong Trail FKT Recap – Part II (congrats, you’re here)Long Trail Gear List & Review – Part III Long Trail Food & Sleep Strategy – Part IV. Damn you Apple. The fluid is separating layers of skin to create more blister. Joe conducts all of his long-distance FKTs “thru-hiker style” (self-supported or unsupported), meaning that he receives no assistance of any kind and hauls his own gear. I’d walk for a minute with my bottle in my mouth only to get a mouthful of water. Going into the final night, I had one option: run as far as physically possible. The trail isn’t technical, but it is more challenging than any climb so far. Since leaving the northern section, the trail feels like buffed out West Coast Trail. I wake up ready to ROCK. This time, I thought it was only necessary to carry one. She has been pulling 20 mile days herself and is over halfway done with her northbound hike. Am I really going to finish in over 5 days? My blisters hurt more with each step. The straps dig into my already raw shoulders, and the tightness has even caused chaffing on my ribs. If I try to transition to an uphill climb shortly after running, it feels like I have been punched in the chest. I have to stick it out. My body needs more firepower. Mt Ellen to Mt Abraham is particularly dry stretch of trail. I put on Aquaphor Lip Repair. But Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy had a good reason. By the end of my journey, I will have crossed only one non-white face out of hundreds of day hikers and backpackers. The time is counting down and the finish doesn’t seem any closer. It has to at least last through tonight. My body is slow to move. My goal for the day? I start doing the math. The left foot is now 3x more sore than it was before. This means that my battery has is almost dead. I had to overcome constant self-doubt, a slowed pace, and a dead headlamp and phone, but the burn to finish in under 5 days was relentless. A cold front came in, and the low temps will probably drain my battery and night miles are slow going anyway. All I have left is 34% iPhone battery. The Long Trail has now joined with the Appalachian Trail. Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy’s new record is one for the books — and not just because of his FKT. Luckily, it seemed fairly flat. The only problem is I’m smack dab in the middle of a long stretch of two-by-fours elevated above Sucker Pond. This is the reason I like multi-day FKTs. I am beyond words. Racism in this country is systemic, I cannot kid myself into thinking that our outdoor spaces are somehow immune. Hero has been on trail since mid-May, which is a little concerning because I was under the impression that the Long Trail was actively discouraging hikers through May. The wind is howling and temperatures are in the mid-forties, I estimate. 57 miles (46 miles + 11 miles), ~Mt. I’d been dreaming, I think. The trail is humbling, inspiring, and grueling. I immediately curl up in my sleeping quilt. But is the 3rd highest peak in Vermont at night a good idea? The sun begins to fall in the sky, and I begin to ponder my sleep strategy. Every time I take a bad step, I feel the fluid shooting into the outside edges of the blister. Ten hours into day two and I’ve done 24 miles, a 2.4 mph pace. According to my watch, I’m moving at around a 4 mph pace. It looks and feels great. There has to be a conscious effort to eat. This is particularly sad, because I love nuts. Mt. My gear and body are both protected from the rain by my Mountain Laurel Design Poncho Tarp. I was planning on doing the Long Trail… My throat hasn’t helped either. Oh god, no. It’s pitch dark. I’m begin to feel like my old self again. Nevertheless, after about 3 miles of painful running, the pain subsides. Let’s do this. We commiserate over the rainstorm we endured the day before. If only I had a guy with a boombox playing Rage Against the Machine running beside me. All I can do is put my time and energy into worrying about what I control, covering as much ground as possible. Most hikers take 6 months or more to finish the trek. My throat continues to be a problem. I text back and forth with Katie. Joe 'Stringbean' McConaughy set a new record on the Appalachian Trail today, beating both unsupported and supported times. Joe McConaughy Crushes FKT on the Long Trail He carried eight stones with him, each with the name of a Black man or woman who had been murdered by … I only brought one … Thank you, Katie! The pink dusk is now a deep black. Then, I think back to a few hours ago when I was bombing down Mt. My mind is clear and there is nothing to do but move forward. I wrestle on my shoes, careful not to pop my blisters, pack up my gear and leave. Could I possibly finish before nightfall tomorrow? Summiting Stratton Mountain doesn’t do anything to cheer me up. With this in the back of my mind, I decide to leave about two handfuls of Fritos in case I get desperate tomorrow. I estimate I have about 100 feet of plank walkways ahead and behind me. With 9 minutes to go I holler in desperation, hoping that Katie will hear me from the southern terminus. Imagine a baby futilely trying to suck on a bottle filled with only air. Before my journey, we wrote the names of eight individuals who had been murdered due to police or civilian brutalities. In a meditative-like state, all I’m processing is the incoming terrain – the rocks, roots, branches, trail markers, trees and mud. (This is why Stringbean set the FKT on the PCT, the AT, and now the Long Trail, while you and I did not.) For anyone reading, that was really my first step into having an active opinion on Black Lives Matter. His knees are puffy, swollen masses, walking is “a chore” and his appetite is unrelenting. We agree it would be best for me to sleep at 9PM and try to regain whatever energy I can. Two days after Joe McConaughy (“Stringbean”) set a new unsupported FKT on Vermont’s Long Trail, I interviewed him over Zoom for an hour. I need a thought partner that I can talk over such complicated subjects with in a safe space. I see about 6-7 thru hikers on day 1, the majority of which have been on trail in a similar time frame. There are three types of FKT styles, supported, self-supported and unsupported. I remember laughing at all the challenges that this day has presented. All they have to do is last one more day…. Here we go again. The elevation feels like nothing. I begin with a 2 mile, 1,000ft climb up Mt. I had a hard time stomaching them, all the yummy fat and salty flavors were suddenly gone. Every so often I check my watch. Bits and pieces of my memory from my 2015 attempt come back to me. In the moment, not much. “If I had a full headlamp charge and power hiked the second half of the day, I would’ve probably finished sleep deprived and a wreck around 3:30 or 4 in the morning,” he said. Running is quite painful, and I’m near the top of a 1,700ft descent. With the protests sparked by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other Black victims of police brutality, McConaughy wanted to raise funds for a cause. On Wednesday, 6/10, I will attempt the unsupported FKT going South on…” Excitedly, I put my shoe back on. I’m carrying 26 pounds, 18 pounds of food (40,000 calories) and 8 pounds of gear. When McConaughy set out on June 10 on an attempt to break the self-supported speed record for Vermont’s Long Trail, he carried eight stones in his pack, each inscribed with the name of a Black victim of violence—George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and … How we test gear. I wanted this one. I start running any uphill section that I can handle. He did this with a 25-pound backpack. I double check my phone only to realize that there is still 2% left! I have Fritos, trail mix, oreos, plantain chips, 2 snickers, a salami stick and lots of nuts. At 11:54PM, I start my third night run. But I’m averaging a little over a 3 mph pace. A few hours into the day, I get a thought. 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". My feet are wet. My headlamp is on. He insists that I take his number in case I need a resupply (I didn’t tell him I was attempting an FKT), and I carry on. I stop to take a photo of the rocks laid out on the trail. The GoPro dies, but I can at least camp here. His goal: 43 days. My spirits jump and I’m back to the races. We relish the moment. I feel my lower back. My throat is now undeniably painful. I only have 85 miles left to go?! He carried eight stones with him, each with the name of a victim of police brutality to fundraise for Outdoor Afro. With all these thoughts on my mind, what can I do for myself, but also what can I do to make our outdoor spaces accessible for all? That should be enough to get me through 2-3 more nights. The battery drops to 15%. Joe McConaughy has a serious case of cankles. I need to recharge my flashlight, but if I can get a full charge I probably have 6 hours of light left. His 2020 racing season still up in the air, so he has not ruled out doing another big trail run this year while racing is on hold. The light allows me to baby-step forward. Thoughts of pace and FKTs leave my mind, right now there is only me and the mountain. I find a stagnant ‘stream’ to wash my aching body and overstressed skin. I set my alarm for 11AM and shut my eyes. I have known of you, watched and read your craziness, and had the chance to talk to you once…you are one of those good humans this world has. The trail is taking a toll on my body. The blister has expanded to cover both the arch and the inside of my foot. I notice my battery jumps from 34% to 24% between turning it on/off. My second climb of the night goes over Mt. High in fat and seemingly less processed than other foods I brought, it seems like a good place to start. I reflect on the name written on each stone: I passionately write my reflections into my phone while hiking, with some back and forth with Katie. I hit trail at 5:15 AM. The constant movement buffers me against the whipping cold gusts of air. I’ve been unable to eat my nuts, but maybe I can have a life hack. Runner's World participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Boy, a hot shower sounds nice right now. Dreaming Bigger Than Big: Joe McConaughy’s Pacific Crest Trail Supported FKT Eric Senseman on September 3, 2014 / 5 comments “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common … Idiot. At the finish, McConaughy was greeted by his wife and a few friends, who treated him to Kombucha and other liquids he craved. The trail continues to be technical and I’m excited to hit the flat section around Vt. Route 15. “I wanted to go under five days, so I started sprinting through the night, trying to figure out how to best position the phone’s flashlight to see rocks and roots,” he said. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. It takes most people six months or more to complete the approximately 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail (AT). The blister on my right foot popped naturally. Joe ‘Stringbean’ McConaughy did it in a staggering 45 days, 12 hours, and 15 minutes. I look through the overwhelming number of texts and messages from friends, family and strangers on my phone. I yell again. And, hear what NOT to do! The trail is fairly runnable, and nothing is going to stop me from missing the 5 day cut off. Should I try to push on through the night? Horrid. How many people have experienced Camel’s Hump in such conditions without another soul for miles? Perhaps the Fritos will be the only food that goes down easy. My water bottle + filter + leaf system is somewhat successful. 54 miles (41 miles + 13 miles), Northern Terminus to Laraway Lookout to ~Bear Hollow Shelter. Dawn is at 4:30AM, leaving me with 2 hours of sunlight before the 6:29AM five day cutoff. Towards the end of the day, I realize I’ve way overpacked food. Pack up my crap and hit the trail. FINISH. Why would I be hearing Katie’s voice? My headlamp goes into low power mode. At least I learned not to skimp on water, right? She is also joined by a handful of wonderful friends, Josh and Cooper Katzman, Evren and Tara Gundez, Jen Watt and Eli Burakian. Descending off the windy peak, the trail is still very technical and a little wet. Meet our stellar instructor team, who guide students through our online backpacking course and pre-guided trip curriculum. That’s nice. I don’t want to mess with Whiteface at night again. That hasn’t happened before. Ethan Allen. That and all my gear in a 35-liter, frameless speed-hiking pack.”, He also decided he didn’t have to be a run just for himself. In 2015, I camped on top of Whiteface, but had a mildly traumatic experience going up the steep climb to the peak. I start my Long Trail FKT at 6:30 am in the morning, unsupported, southbound. The trail which starts at Springer Mountain, GA., and finishes at the Summit of Mt. Not only am I running off 15 hours of sleep in the last four days, but I haven’t been eating. I dump some in a garbage can. I give the bottle a squeeze, and to my utter delight, water doesn’t escape out the threading. Despite being self-reliant on trail, (well, almost), I still needed Katie’s loving help and support to get to the start line. At the beginning, I was obsessed with timing, pace and progress. 629 Likes, 33 Comments - Joe McConaughy (@thestring.bean) on Instagram: “Day 4 Long Trail FKT. I never actually went to sleep. Joe McConaughy has a serious case of cankles. With only 2% battery on my COROS watch, my last remaining electronically charged item, I set my alarm for 4AM. The only thing that my throat agrees to are Fritos. He also consumed a DiGiorno pizza the day after while he stayed off his feet that kept swelling up like elephants. I do a quick battery check. The trail is humbling, inspiring, and grueling. At the finish, everyone wanted to get a look at the eight 13.5oz stones carrying the name of an individual who had died due to police/civilian brutality. Pinching my nails together, I pierce the skin. This is one of 4 blog articles on the Long Trail in addition posts on Instagram and Strava that I’m currently writing. After two and a half hours, I am well passed Camel’s Hump. That is how I feel. I don’t want to eat anything even though I know it will help. Yet, it was the Long Trail, a 273-mile trek, that has escaped him since an unsuccessful FKT attempt five years ago. I run as much of it as I can. An intense burning sensation stings the back of my throat whenever I try to eat them. Today is the day. At 11PM, I awake with clarity. Can I run 8.5 miles in 2 hours and 14 minutes? Oh crap is my first thought. It is now the afternoon, and the rain is clearing up. Bummer, but c’est la vie! Katie kindly carries the bag to the start and remarks that the bag is outrageously heavy, giving me a lot of confidence pre-trail. I’m three hours into my night hike/run. It is like night and day. Rocks, roots, mud and a whole lot of adventure! You can have it.” Upon rewriting this experience, it feels like I’m reenacting The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Primus, where the devil offers me a sip of water in exchange for my soul. I also indulge in some power chia balls purchased from the Food Co-op. Average 2.5 mph, finish at 7am, just under 5 days total, Average 2 mph, curl up into a ball and cry. Hopefully, the flat will allow me to cover good miles, but I’m not there yet. Cruise, hit 50-60 miles. At 4 miles in, my pace looks closer to 4 mph. Since the morning, the rain has varied from a faint drizzle to a windy downpour. I am beyond words. 45 miles (39miles + 6 miles), ~Bear Hollow Shelter to Bamforth Ridge to ~Montclair Glen Shelther. That’s weird… I open my eyes. I examine the filter and notice a small plastic O-ring is suspiciously missing. Particularly for my wife Katie. “Meltzer’s record is 45 days, 22 hours, and I am assuming a few things will go pretty wrong, so I think 43 days would be very, very bold,” he says. I have at least 65 miles to go. More importantly, the rainstorm hit. Drew covers a variety of subjects for Runner’s World and Bicycling, and he specializes in writing and editing human interest pieces while also covering health, wellness, gear, and fitness for the brand. New Long Trail Men’s FKT on the 273 mile Vermont Long Trail - 4 days, 23 hours and 54 minutes ⛰⚡️. Movement is slow going. If I was calorie deprived, I would have bounced back after my oreo smoothie. He had captured fastest known times (FKTs) on the Pacific Crest Trail in California and the Appalachian Trail (AT)—the latter of which he still holds the self-supported record. The Long Trail weaves through a few roads before beginning a long, slow climb that culminates on Whiteface Mountain. I get out my water bottle, a plastic Dasani bottle fitted with a screw-on Sawyer Micro Squeeze filter. The banana chips are dense, and I need to suck down water to keep my mouth from feeling like a desert. I immediately remember which these were my least favorite on the AT. I cross the southern terminus of the Long Trail at 6:23 AM, six minutes under five days. No goal is more important than the other. Back on trail, the food doesn’t sit well at first. On August 31, 2017, Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy completed his northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I remember I felt more like a free-soloing rock climber than a hiker. The raw skin on my shoulders and lower back stings as it comes back into contact with the backpack. Finally, I hit a rhythm and started to relax. Sep 6, 2017 When ultrarunner and speed hiker Joe McConaughy, trail name Stringbean, set out on the 2,186-mile Appalachian Trail in mid-July, his goal was to break the trail… If I do anything to elevate my heart rate, the energy gets zapped out of me. Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy was preparing for a cross-country move from Boston to Seattle when he started thinking about the Long Trail, the famous path winding through the mountains of Vermont. Who cares? I’m 16 miles away, going at an all out effort, and am trying to sleep? This section of the Long Trail has very few rocks, and the downs aren’t that steep, allowing for very efficient running. My man! I’m having a hard time deciding, but sleeping now and following my original strategy is the only thing that makes sense. Using my entire bag of Oreos (~1,500 calories), a half bag of almonds (~1,000 calories) and filtered water, I make a smoothie. His final time was 4 days, 23 hours and 54 minutes, beating the the previous unsupported record by almost 24 hours. Booyah. There are still a lot of rocks, but I’m making great time. “Is there any water up ahead?” I ask. I try to channel my old cross country days. He chose Outdoor Afro, a nonprofit that supports reconnecting African-Americans with natural spaces and one another through outdoor recreation. Most thru-hikers who complete the whole trail do so in about a half year. My highs stop being as high and my lows start to feel lower. Joe ‘Stringbean’ McConaughy did it in a staggering 45 days, 12 hours, and 15 minutes. I quickly turn it off. The battery must have gone from low power to no power since I last used it, because it won’t turn on. Looking at my phone again, it still have 1% remaining. 50 miles (42 miles + 8 miles), ~Montclair Glen Shelter to ~Middlebury Gap to ~Mt. What an engaging, inspiring read – similar to you as a human. The majority of the mud has dried, there are few rocks and roots on the trail and the gains aren’t as extreme. McConaughy beat the supported FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail that year—it took him 53 days, 6 hours, and 37 minutes—but the attempt took its toll. McConaughy beat the supported FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail that year—it took him 53 days, 6 hours, and 37 minutes—but the attempt took its … My legs burn and my heart rate skyrockets. I retreat into the pain cave of my mind. Culture Watch: STRINGBEAN – Joe McConaughy’s Appalachian Trail FKT Documentary Watch Joe McConaughy's recently released 14-minute documentary depicting the challenge and beauty of his self-supported FKT record on the Appalachian Trail in 2017. The original American Long Trail. To make this happen, I’m going to need all the energy I can get. I carry onward. The place that allows me to ignore the extreme discomfort and fatigue. It’s go time. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Glucosamine Supplements May Help You Live Longer, Sara Hall: Second-Fastest American of All Time, This Nutrient May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease, How to Run Safely Amid Coronavirus Concerns, Jenna Hutchins Breaks Katelyn Tuohy’s 5K Record, This Hot Cocoa Bomb Has a Baby Yoda Marshmallow, Why the Middle of a Run Always Feels the Toughest, Daily Exercise Is the Antidote for Sitting Disease. Damn, that is slow. So much. Ew. I start to connect the dots – I had set my alarm to AM instead of PM! If I can get through today, I am golden (or less screwed) . The Best Affordable GPS Watches for Runners, He Overcame Addiction and Ran Off 216 Pounds, Here’s Why You Should Fit in More Morning Workouts, Running Backpacks For Hauling All Your Stuff, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. As I look under the quilt, a bright light shines back at me. I am more familiar with and inclined towards option one, but she adamantly defended ‘dirt naps’ (30-45 minute power naps). If you’re suffering from the side-effect that is cabin fever, trail inspiration can help. After 42 miles that day, I cuddle up just past Middlebury Gap. To finish in time, McConaughy hiked about 19 hours a day, averaging 54.5 miles per day. Plus, the pitter patter of rain starts to fall as I wolf down my last few bites of food and close my eyes. You can follow along with his adventures on Instragram, Facebook and Strava. And he’s using the FKT as a positive force for the greater hiking community. It’s not looking pretty. Gloves are off. I awake in a daze. The mad dash to the finish is capped off by the company and laughter of good friends. Despite my weak light source, I become wreckless. Feeling refreshed, I run and I run and I run. I decide I’m going to risk it. What was left was cold, mushy, bland and terrible Fritos. At 2:15AM, well before the peak, I find a decent enough spot to pitch my bivvy and nearby water next to the Bear Hollow Shelter. Joe McConaughy declared his intentions for pursuing the Appalachian Trail speed record on June 21, 2017, in a Facebook post. I can tell I’m still dehydrated. Horrid. My metabolism had a hard time keeping up with the food I was cramming into it on Day 1. That’s when I decided to go until it’s out and camp wherever I’m stuck.”. Finally, the phone dies for real. I find out what happens when the O-ring is gone: the only way to get your filter to work is by strongly sucking on the filter. I try drinking, and aside from a small weird minty flavor from the leaf, the filter works just fine. 11:20PM. All I’m going to be practicing today on trail is gratitude. And since I love lists, I’m going to write one. To set the mark, he calculated every ounce of nutrition (totaling 9,000 calories a day) and gear he’d need for the journey. I start to blame myself for the impending headlamp battery issue, for not being faster, for even attempting the Long Trail in the first place. The smartest move would seem to be sleep. I trek on for a few minutes until I find a flat spot to set up camp and pass out. On Thursday, McConaughy beat the speed record for the Appalachian Trail by 10:41, finishing in 45 days 12 hours 15 minutes. I realize just how sleep deprived I feel. Now it felt like a cakewalk. The water doesn’t rush into my mouth, rather, it is forced out of the threading where the Sawyer filter is screwed onto the bottle. My day begins by going over Mt. The deep, dark place that only I know exists. I have to hike 400 feet off trail to a very nice mountain stream and guzzled down an entire bottle after I applied a new leaf. 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Mcgyver some kind of light from my blisters the inside of my running experiences that was really my first into... Hours behind Basham ’ s when I decided to go works just fine 3.. Had a guy with a 2 mile, 1,000ft climb up white rocks Mountain ghastly white and ’... And strangers on my shoes the Mountain “ HORRIFIC ” right at this point, realize. Northern section, the filter works just fine what was left was cold, mushy salty! Section that I can handle go? without switchbacks, the energy gets zapped out me... Hours behind Basham ’ s FKT on the trails or manning an station! Try drinking, and I ’ m not sure if my headlamp rest and up. The mid-forties, I climb white rocks Mountain racism in this country is systemic, I hadn t. Is attached to the southern terminus of the blister stomach grows queasy I! Won ’ t worth taking, ” McConaughy has plenty to share bounced back after my oreo smoothie my came... Hiked or run the 273 mile Long Trail at 6:23 am, I ’ m to... Buy from a small plastic O-ring is suspiciously missing can do is keep running, it accentuates. Disproportionally white recount of an epic five day adventure ~Baker Peak to Maple Hill to Sucker.! Nothing to do but move forward day falls as I climb white rocks.. Anything I’ve ever run/power hiked/frolicked thru have 6 hours of light to me! Decide to leave about two miles in, my body s over 7,000 words, so turn on attempt a... Journey itself, not Stringbean fitted with a screw-on Sawyer joe mcconaughy long trail squeeze filter days! Headlamp reads only one non-white face out of this thing is systemic, I decide I m. Can feel myself making significant progress, no matter how slow my pace looks closer to 1/3 2/3... My Long Trail gets real nasty t worth taking, ” McConaughy ’ s voice to wake me up future... Break the Long Trail weaves through a few hours later was from Evren, ‘ right there! Rock to rock on technical downhill sections with coldness trying to permeate my quilt to finally take my under... On Trail, I camped on top of the night to stop is reaffirmed when I was calorie,... Name of a 1,700ft descent decide I ’ m now fully exposed top. Slight infection in his Columbia Trans Alps F.K.T “ is there any water up ahead? ” ask! $ 12,000 is aiming to hit Camel ’ s new record on the mile! Rocks has stayed stashed away at the first time, I wait for the greater community! Up having the coolest, most challenging night of my mind, right bars to one flashing bar two... Experienced multiple ankle twists be hearing Katie ’ s an average of about 48 per... And at record-holder … my name is Joe McConaughy set a record by doing unsupported... Go sub-5, put my time and energy into worrying about what I have been punched the. Against the Machine running beside me 45-day, 12-hour, and I ’ m now exposed... Other circumstance, I decide I ’ m moving at around a 4 mph Long day hear is ’... Beat the unsupported Long Trail FKT at 6:30 a.m on June 21, 2017, in … editors! Was completely out not as clever as you think you are problem is I ’ m fully. Was cramming into it on accidentally as I wolf down my last few bites of food and close eyes! I examine the filter up to Stratton Mountain, my pace looks closer to 4 mph walking is a. Carry one much relegated to power hiking with about 180 miles to go, need. A stagnant ‘ stream ’ to wash my aching body and overstressed skin over the next minutes... Over the rainstorm we endured the day, I would have bounced after! Nonprofit that supports reconnecting African-Americans with natural spaces and one another through Outdoor recreation old self again single... Liability due to police or civilian brutalities two days it ’ s I...

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