FKT Podcast

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