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thestring.bean
New Long Trail Overall and Men’s Unsupported FKT on the 273 mile Vermont Long Trail - 4 days, 23 hours and 56 minutes ⛰⚡️
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I am beyond words. The trail is humbling, inspiring, and grueling. Anyone who’s hiked or run the 273 mile Long Trail knows it is a unique beast. Its endless rocks, roots, exposed peaks and steep climbs make it unlike anything I’ve ever run/power hiked/frolicked thru (unless you count for my 2015 attempt where I blew up after 90 miles )
.
In my final 48 hours, I faced sleep deprivation. 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. Going into the final night, I had one option: run as far as physically possible with 24% iPhone flashlight battery life, sleep, and then have 2 hours of sunlight to run like hell and finish before 6:29am. On my knees, in the end, my watch read 6:23am.
.
Upon arriving and taking almost 24 hours off the unsupported time, I was surprised by a cast of my favorite Boston people: My wife, who I CANNOT THANK ENOUGH, the Gunduz duo, the Katzmans, Jen Watt, and Eli Burakian ( cred). I finished with a water, kombucha, hot chai tea and a Heady Topper beer. Everything good in life. Turns out I also aged 15 years.
thestring.bean
New Long Trail Overall and Men’s Unsupported FKT on the 273 mile Vermont Long Trail - 4 days, 23 hours and 56 minutes ⛰⚡️
.
I am beyond words. The trail is humbling, inspiring, and grueling. Anyone who’s hiked or run the 273 mile Long Trail knows it is a unique beast. Its endless rocks, roots, exposed peaks and steep climbs make it unlike anything I’ve ever run/power hiked/frolicked thru (unless you count for my 2015 attempt where I blew up after 90 miles )
.
In my final 48 hours, I faced sleep deprivation. 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. Going into the final night, I had one option: run as far as physically possible with 24% iPhone flashlight battery life, sleep, and then have 2 hours of sunlight to run like hell and finish before 6:29am. On my knees, in the end, my watch read 6:23am.
.
Upon arriving and taking almost 24 hours off the unsupported time, I was surprised by a cast of my favorite Boston people: My wife, who I CANNOT THANK ENOUGH, the Gunduz duo, the Katzmans, Jen Watt, and Eli Burakian ( cred). I finished with a water, kombucha, hot chai tea and a Heady Topper beer. Everything good in life. Turns out I also aged 15 years.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General
Richard Ewell, CSA General
