Breaking the JMT Record: My Journey to the Fastest Known Time on the John Muir Trail. Inside FKTs

Want to go into depth on what it takes to get an FKT on one of the most competitive trails?

In this episode, I dive into the world of Fastest Known Times (FKTs) on the John Muir Trail (JMT). I provide background information on the JMT, its significance, and the history of FKT attempts on the trail. I then share my own journey of attempting to break the JMT FKT, including the challenges I faced and the strategies I employed. I ultimately break the record by less than 13 minutes.

I emphasize the importance of knowing oneself, setting micro-goals, and persevering in order to achieve FKTs.

Takeaways

-The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 223-mile long-distance hiking trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, known for its breathtaking scenery and challenging terrain.

-FKTs on the JMT have a long history, with the first recorded FKT set in 1980. Since then, numerous athletes have attempted and set records on the trail.

-I successfully broke the JMT FKT, completing the trail in 3 days, 47 minutes, and 56 seconds, less than 13 minutes faster than the previous record.

-Achieving an FKT requires knowing oneself, setting micro-goals, and persevering through challenges and exhaustion.

-FKTs serve as milestones and unlock new distances and challenges for athletes, pushing them to explore their limits and go after new goals.

Sound Bites

"3 days, 47 minutes, 56 seconds. I broke the record by less than 13 minutes."

"It's those micro-goals, that 24-hour period, that knowing what's required... even if it was a bad day, a good day, whatever, you've unlocked that in your mind that you can go a new distance."

"FKTs serve as milestones and unlock new distances and challenges for athletes, pushing them to explore their limits and go after new goals."

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Overview

01:00 - The John Muir Trail: Background and Significance

06:45 - My Journey to Break the JMT FKT

09:04 - Strategies for Achieving FKTs: Knowing Oneself and Setting Micro-Goals

15:45 - The Final Push: Overcoming Challenges and Exhaustion

23:05 - Conclusion and Takeaways

Closing music by Rob Riccardo Buy Merch to support: https://www.freeoutside.com/shop Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutsideKeywords: Fastest Known Times, FKTs, John Muir Trail, JMT, endurance, hiking, Sierra Nevada, record attempt, perseverance