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
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Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: tubitv.com/movies/100019916/f...
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Keywords: Fastest Known Times, FKTs, John Muir Trail, JMT, endurance, hiking, Sierra Nevada, record attempt, perseverance

[@joeldavid7462]

Thank you for sharing this amazing recount of the JMT FKT. Your mental fortitude when dealing with unforeseen obstacles and changes in the plan blows me away! Yes, please, share more of your FKT experiences.

[@dirtbagoutside]

Interesting to hear! Thanks for sharing!!

[@laurahubbard2169]

This was an awesome episode - would love to hear you do more of these. The insight of how to take advantage of when you are moving well and how to reset when you are not is really seemingly simple, but also quite deep! Thanks for this one, Legend!

[@FreeOutside]

Thank you! I will start diving into more of these efforts.

[@josephi6916]

That's no joke! Really powerful!!

[@FreeOutside]

Thanks! Fun to relive it a little bit

[@josephi6916]

@@FreeOutside Edited comment. Didn't want any spoilers 🙂

[@habibihikes]

If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis

[@sam-vk9yu]

Loved this one. Can't believe you had rabdo... is the spot with cell service reds meadow?

[@FreeOutside]

It’s right in that area! And on mt Whitney

[@hhslf]

Are your splits on strava or something?

[@FreeOutside]

Yeah I believe they are