August 3, 2016 Mt. Katahdin, Maine
• Has won more 100-mile races • than anyone on Earth • 5-time Hardrock 100 champion • 6-time Wasatch 100 champion • Named U.S. Ultrarunner of the Year • Has run 2,064 miles along Pony • Express from California to Missouri • and the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail
Day 1: Today started early on Mount Katahdin and Karl was ready to go at 5 a.m. He pounded out the first leg of the journey with unbelievable timing, surprising our crew by arriving two hours early off a near 10 mile stretch. Karl had his first bumps and bruises as well, falling twice on the rocky mountain trail but still finished three hours ahead of schedule. As expected, Karl was exhausted by the end of the day and in bed as soon as possible (after eating some pasta of course!) so he could be up at 4 a.m. for Day Two.
August 4, 2016 Maine
Day 1 - Mt. Katahdin, ME
Day 2: Karl’s spirits were high after dominating Day One. He spent the morning smiling and making jokes with our crew. He has been early at every stop since the beginning of the attempt and was very optimistic for the day. The day continued smoothly until the second to last stop where Karl mentioned his neck was bothering him. Our crew had some adventures of their own - the truck got stuck trying to access the final check-in location on the gnarly backcountry access roads. Overall, a successful start to the journey.
August 5, 2016 Kennebec River, ME
Day 3: Karl is happy! Well, as happy as a man can be for running 50+ miles a day. He decided to go ahead and run an extra 12 or so miles to the Kennebec River to catch the River Ferry (canoe) across the App Trail river crossing. Hikers are advised to take the ferry in order to avoid the dangerous currents and for Karl, keeping his feet dry is key.
August 6, 2016 Kennebec River, Maine
Day 4: The optimism continued for a third consecutive morning and Karl livened up the 4:45 a.m. wake up call making jokes with our crew while he drank his coffee. Great news, the ferry driver was early! For Karl, every second counts. He started on the other side of the Kennebec River around 6:15 a.m., three hours ahead of his planned schedule. Mother Nature was Karl’s friend today - he cooled off thanks to some rain in the area. Per usual, he ended the day ahead of schedule and rolled into camp happy, even picking up litter that hikers had left behind. He got into bed early which is always critical. More rest = better performance.
August 7, 2016 Maine
Day 5: Smooth day. However...the weather? Not so smooth. There were heavy rainstorms and showers which caused Karl to arrive right at his expected time for the first time. Karl Sr. (Karl’s dad and a part of the crew) greeted him at the finish and even hiked the last mile out with him. The biggest highlight of the day was the arrival of his wife Cheryl! We’re currently somewhere in the Maine wilderness, near the Canadian border (cell reception thanks to the top of a mountain!). Today’s last stretch was the most intense part of the hike yet and it will only get more intense over the next couple of days.
Day 6: Karl began Day Six after a cold and wet night. The terrain for the next few days will be extremely rough as Karl has to nearly climb his way up mountains. His timing was on schedule and he continues to hit his marked destinations. Tomorrow Karl will be venturing through what is known as the “toughest mile,” on the AT.
August 8, 2016 Grafton Notch, Maine
Day 7: No rain in the area today. However, the trail is now getting into rocky terrain. This is one of the most technical parts of the AT as hikers have to use a combination of bouldering and hiking. Also noteworthy is that there still ice on the ground...in August. The trek through Mahoosuc Notch and Success Mt. This span of terrain is intense and Mahoosuc Notch is known as the, "hardest mile," on the AT. This was a crew day as Karl's support team pushed in two spots he didn't get crewed on his last attempt. This is not only huge for Karl's moral on the trail and knowing someone's always there but also in replenishing his body with full meals. Karl's demeanor was very good for someone who faced such obstacles. He moved at an efficient pace through a challenging environment, which sets the pace for his leg tomorrow.
August 9, 2016 Gorham, New Hampshire
Day 8: Today on all levels was challenging. After a long and challenging day yesterday, Karl continued his hike but slowed his pace down. A highlight of today was that Karl reached the summit of Mt.Washington as conditions were harsh. Dense fog, cold air and gusty wind made the hike anything but easy. Karl continued after a late summit, to Crawford Notch where he had a very late arrival. Though he is pushing himself, it's important to note that getting in late also means less rest, which is critical in any situation and especially when you're trying to set a record.
August 10, 2016 New Hampshire
Day 9: Karl began his hike today on time, however, when reaching the knife's edge, our crew could tell from his demeanor that he is becoming even more exhausted with every step. Thankfully, Karl made a trail companion through the knife's edge that accompanied him for a while. It's important to remember that as much as this is a physical feat, it's mental too. Karl said that this hiker was important because at some points, he kept his pace steady. Karl eventually lost the hiker on the downhill but nonetheless, every person Karl runs into on this journey is important to his success. While hikers’ journeys and motivations are as diverse as the trail itself, the challenges of the trail reveal the common bonds between them. Karl decided to stop one stop early at Flume Gorge to catch up on rest and recharge his body for another long day on the green tunnel.
August 11, 2016 Mt Lafayette, NH
Day 10: Karl finished his trek through the White Mountains at the end of Day 10. Not surprisingly, the White Mountains took a toll on both Karl’s feet and mentality. Karl is starting to form blisters around the bottom of his feet, as expected. Karl got to his final destination before sunset which provided him plenty of opportunity to eat a good meal and relax before getting sleep for Day 11. Our crew brought Karl one of his favorite foods on the trail, ice cream, to lift his spirits with something sweet at the end of the day. (In case you’re wondering, it was chocolate chip cookie dough!) Karl’s attitude is amazing (maybe the ice cream helped). We ended the night laughing as Karl made jokes with everyone around the van.
August 12, 2016 Flume Gorge, NH
Day 11: Karl picked up the pace as he headed towards the city of Hanover, home of Dartmouth College. Karl arrived into Hanover before expected and instead of sitting to eat and replenish, he insisted on walking while eating to keep pace. He is an absolute machine. Karl experienced a dramatic shift in landscape as he ran through the city of Hanover - buildings and cars surrounded him as the AT guided him onwards and out of the city. While the change in scenery was welcomed, the surroundings were blurred by very severe storms in the area. A system rolled in during the morning hours and another one later in the night. Torrential rain and lightning caused Karl to arrive later than usual tonight at 9:45 PM. Though he won't be getting the normal hours of sleep to lead him into Day 12, he will have a running companion which hopefully will allow him mentally and physically to keep record speed pace.
August 13, 2016 Hanover, NH
Day 12: Hello Vermont! Karl had a friend come and run part of the trail with him which was instrumental in keeping good and efficient pace today. Day 12 was quick day for Karl. However, there was a gnarly swarm of bees on the part of the trail that Karl had to tackle. Eric (Karl’s Crew Chief), knowing Karl isn't too fond of bees, went in to check out the swarm and ended up getting stung himself. Thankfully for Karl, Eric must have given the bees their fill as they were not an issue as Karl ran through this given section of the trail. As the terrain flattens out from the White Mountains, Karl’s pace should pick up, allowing him to make up a little bit of time.
August 14, 2016 Wallingford, Vermont
Day 13: Today Karl continued his trek South. Karl is crushing pace again and carrying an amazing attitude along the way. The terrain here is still mountainous in the Green Mountain National Forest, however it's nothing like the harsh terrain of the White Mountains. Karl decided to stop at one of his aids today and shave his beard completely. This prevents flies, ticks and other bugs from catching a free ride on the trail via his facial hair. Another reason? It's cooler! Though, since it's nearing fall the temperature on the trail varies but is seasonally hot. Karl finished today early, catching the crew off guard. Even Karl Sr. was taken by surprise as Karl beat his dad to the punch by showing up as he prepared to hike in to meet him. Karl and the crew enjoyed a nice meal tonight prepared by Cheryl (Karl’s wife) and planned out the route for tomorrow. In bed and asleep by 9 PM, Karl hopefully will be getting the energy he needs to crush it come tomorrow on his route to Mt. Greylock.
August 15, 2016 Stratton-Arlington Rd, Vermont
Day 14: As he continues to trek South, Karl’s morale is high. Eric (Karl’s Crew Chief) attributes this to the purchase of new iPod’s for this run, all with new music. This keeps Karl occupied and at pace while running. Karl also is pounding peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as snacks on the trail and fuel to keep him going. Today Karl experienced a bit of rain and bad weather but he pushed forward. Karl’s pace continues to surprise our crew as he's even showing up early to stops to be refueled. Tonight, Karl ended his run at the summit of Mt. Greylock (tallest point in Massachusetts), had a huge meal and a nice bed to sleep in. In previous attempts, Karl had simply run and never stopped. It was beautiful for both Karl and our crew to actually get to stay and enjoy the view. Terrain Update: Though the trail is less mountainous, roots still remain throughout the trail. In moments of fatigue, this can be extremely tough to navigate. The view from Mt. Greylock was that of another planet. The fog was so thick you could only see 2-5 feet in front of you. Green trees surrounding the trail gave it a very eerie feeling, however when Karl arrived it made for an epic entrance.
August 16, 2016 Mt. Greylock, MA
Day 15: It was a long but productive day for Karl. Karl left early this morning on his route through Massachusetts. His first crew stop was in a busy and booming town near Pittsfield, MA. Karl made excellent timing all day and continues to keep record pace. Since Karl has exited the White Mountains and the terrain has become less harsh, Karl can make up mileage. As of the past week, Karl has consistently stayed in the 40 miles per day range. Attitudes are good with both Karl and our crew despite pushing him to go the extra mile every night. Day 15 Lows: Tonight, as our crew set up for their last spot on Beartown Mountain Road, trouble hit. Karl’s Spot tracker signaled SOS outside a residential building. The production team - which was travelling separately from Karl's crew - recieved the signal and set out to trace Karl's GPS ping. It was 9:30 PM, pitch black, and the cold weather had set in for the night. As the team began thier search, they noticed an illuminated house but continued to drive past. Eventually, they turned around and headed to Old Beartown Mountain Road where the remaining crew waited. Finally, they drove back to where they were originally looking for Karl and miraculously, Karl appeared! So, how did this all happen? Our crew mistook Beartown Mountain Road and Old Beartown Mountain Road as one in the same so we waited for Karl at the wrong stop. Karl ended up going to someone’s house where they offered him a jacket, a blanket and a floor to sleep on. Luckily, there were no injuries and everyone is safe. It’s important to remember the trail is off the beaten path, even on surrounding roads. From here on out, the crew is optimistic about tracking and pinpointing every crew location on the rest of the trail. It’s going to be a short night of rest for Karl but hopefully he can charge on tomorrow with the same energy and excitement he had at the start of Day 15. Even with the best technology, an experienced crew and a world class athlete, a journey on the A.T. is full of surprises. Terrain Update: This area of the A.T. starts to run through a lot of small towns. Classic Americana surrounds you as the trail runs through many old fields and sidewalks before you’re surrounded once again by lush green shrubbery and trees. Though we’ve traded mountains for hills, these hills are no joke.
August 17, 2016 Pittsfield, MA
Day 16: After a long night, Karl was up and at it again this morning to make his way through Connecticut and on to New York. Initially, Karl was tired upon beginning his run but after about 10 minutes, he started to feel a burst of energy and excitement again towards running. Karl logged an impressive number of miles on Day 16 (over 48 miles today!), even after the mishaps of Day 15. Karl is starting to increase his numbers and still has a positive attitude about things. Overall, it was a routine, smooth day and Karl was in bed early again.
August 18, 2016 Connecticut
Day 17: Karl began the day at sunrise as expected. As our crew heads further south, the change in climate is impossible to ignore. It's beginning to get very hot and humid...which you can imagine makes Karl’s run a bit more difficult. Sadly, Cheryl (Karl’s wife) had to leave around 4:30 PM today. She waited roadside for Karl to wish him farewell as he kept his pace throughout New York. Karl passed by Dover Oak today which is the oldest tree on the Appalachian Trail. Karl said it best as he exclaimed, “That's a big a** tree!” upon passing. As beautiful (and big) as it is, it is next to a very noisy street. Karl logged over 50 miles today and took over 100,000 steps! That is the equivalent of over 1,250 flights of stairs! That being said, it is no wonder that as Karl stopped for his final crew and sleep, he noticed a sizable blister starting to form on the tender and middle portion of his foot. As the weather gets more intense, keeping Karl's feet dry and blister-free will prove to be merely impossible. Thus far, Karl has done an incredible job managing the pain. He is a beast. Karl was in the van and in bed early again tonight, partly due to the mosquitos which were very bad at the campsite. At about 10:30 PM Karl's new crew member Mike arrived. Mike will not only assist him and the crew but he will also run the trail with him for roughly 10 days as he is also an ultra runner.
August 19, 2016 Depot Hill Road, NY
Day 18: Karl logged one of the highest mileages so far on Day 18 - nearly 55 miles - that’s more than two marathons in one day! Karl ran through Bear Mountain State Park which is on the west side of the Hudson River in NY. It’s warm here and it is only going to get warmer as we continue to move south. Sadly Karl Sr. (Karl’s dad) also had to leave the crew to go back home today so the core crew currently stands as Eric (Crew Chief) and Mike (Karl’s friend and fellow ultra runner). Thankfully Karl’s friend Lou plans on joining up with the crew on Day 19 to help and run alongside him.
August 20, 2016 Bear Mountain State Park, NY
Day 19: Today was an exciting day as Karl's other friend Lou joined the journey. Karl's crew now consists of three people - Eric, Mike and Lou. Mid-day Lou laced up and ran with Karl on the trail. Having Lou along for the trek gives Karl a nice change of pace and some company for time otherwise spent in solitude. The weather over the past couple of days has been hot and the afternoons have consisted of heavy rainfall. Though the rain helps cool Karl down, the moisture can do more harm than good. It's vital to keep Karl's feet dry to avoid trench foot and daily rainfall makes that near impossible. Terrain Update: This area has lots of small mountains and is full of expansive farmland. In this area, the trail changes from boardwalks to flat land to paths through farming fields and ultimately to the famous root filled green tunnel. This area also borders many towns which means more pedestrian foot traffic on the trail. Karl spent Day 19 in both New York and New Jersey and was close to Pennsylvania at times.
August 21, 2016 New York + New Jersey
Day 20: Today was an all-around rough day for Karl. Lou had to leave yesterday after his run with Karl, meaning the crew is down to only Eric and Mike. Karl started having pains in his shins early in the day which made it difficult to navigate and run. The pain also took a mental toll on Karl so Mike decided to join in on the trail for about eight miles. Mike mentioned that Karl’s knee kept buckling during their run - one can only imagine the pain that Karl must be in. Even though he was in pain, Speedgoat pressed on. The crew iced his legs a bit longer than usual and tended to both his shins and knee. For tomorrow, Karl will have a wrap around his ankle to hopefully help make his run smoother. Though the plan was to complete 50 miles on Day 20, Karl only completed 35.2 of those miles due to the challenges. On a physical and mental journey of this magnitude, the gravity of knowing when to push yourself and when to hold back is immense. Making one wrong decision can cost you everything. Karl will be up and at it again early in the morning as he heads further South into Pennsylvania. Terrain Update: The terrain today varied though it’s no wonder that many call Pennsylvania “Rocksylvania” - there are rocks everywhere! All shapes and sizes of rocks make up the terrain in this portion of the trail. From large rocks that challenge hikers to find clear paths to get through, to medium rocks that are seen on normal portions of the trail, to gravel that forms nearly perfect path conditions.
August 22, 2016 New Jersey/Pennsylvania Border
Day 21: Karl started early this morning as he continued south through Pennsylvania. He felt exceptional despite his shin still being swollen. Today was one of those days that just clicked, and he was able to knock the miles out smoothly. The terrain on the trail today was a mixture of large and small rocks mixed with tree roots. Many of the larger rocks require a bit of climbing, as if bouldering. When Karl reached our planned stopping point for the day, he felt so good that he insisted on going further. Karl continued into the night into what what we would later learn was one of the “roughest sections” of the trail in Pennsylvania as described by the local section keeper. However, Karl logged his miles and ended up going further than he thought was possible which was a big boost for his morale. After 17 hours, Karl called it a day.
August 23, 2016 Pennsylvania
Day 22: Karl’s shin continued to swell today, but his spirits are still high while he's hiking. Today was a slower and shorter day than normal, but he's still maintaining a solid pace considering his shin being as swollen as it is. Distance traveled was about 16.4 mi during seven hours. The trail terrain in this section of Pennsylvania is relatively consistent with lots of lush green forests with brown gravel and brown and grey rocks scattered throughout the trail. Karl is still scarfing down large amounts of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and his go-to sugar booster the past couple of days has been chilled, canned mandarin oranges. Though he came off the trail earlier than normal today, Karl will get the rest he needs tonight, if not more and wake up and do it all again tomorrow. The crew’s spirits are high and everyone is pushing forward with a smile on their faces.
August 24, 2016 Pennsylvania
Day 23: Today was a much better day for Karl than yesterday when shin swelling kept him to a slow pace and fewer miles than he hoped for. Last night the crew made sure to ice Karl's shin and rest as long as possible, and that ended up paying off. Throughout the day Karl had a very optimistic attitude about his hike today, and he even shared some smiles and laughs with the crew. Karl’s competitive nature is pushing him hard. As we were nearing the end of the day, Karl insisted that he go further; his body felt in good enough shape to continue. He ended up hiking further than originally planned, which sets him up for success not only tomorrow but on his path to beating the thru-hike speed record. As he got into camp at the end of the night the crew gave him a solid meal and immediately iced his shins.
August 25, 2016 Pennsylvania
Day 24: Today had its highs and lows. Karl began his day at dawn again and paced himself as he headed south. His shin continues to give him problems, and he’s been running with a compression sock which seems to help only a little. However, Karl pushes onward. His demeanor varies from stop to stop. You can see that he wants to run, but his body is fighting him. His will is still strong, and he can laugh away the pain, for a time. Karl had to stop the day after 35.5 miles because of pain in his shin. Karl's been using walking sticks to help alleviate the pressure on his leg. The terrain on the AT around here is varied, but today the trail was mountainous and Karl struggled on the downhill yet mentioned the uphill was a breeze. Speedgoat and his team iced his legs again tonight while they shared smiles over dinner. With plenty of rest and ice, the hope is he can produce an amazing day tomorrow.
August 26, 2016 Pennsylvania
Day 25: Karl has completed approximately half of the Appalachian Trail now and is on a pace to set a new thru-hike speed record. With some 1,000 miles to go, he'll tackle the southern half of the trail with the support of his small support crew and his determination to set a record that has twice eluded him. For Karl, at 48 years old, this will be his last attempt to set a FKT on the Appalachian Trail.
August 27, 2016 Pennsylvania
Day 26: Speedgoat is in full force again; it was a great day. Karl’s shin condition is about the same, but he's pushing through, and his health is not slowing him down. Favorable trail conditions are helping, too. This part of the trail flattens out compared to the terrain over the past week. There are still many rocks and tree roots which can make a misstep into a big mistake, but there are no mountains, at least. One of the crew hands, Mike, had to return home, but he will be meeting up with Karl again around North Carolina. However, the crew got a boost when Karl Sr. arrived, which is amazing! Senior always provides the organization and morale boost that Karl needs, and that's evident in today's numbers. Karl looks good physically when he arrives at our crew stops; mentally you can see that he now has a one track mind. He is focused solely on putting miles behind him in. Today was definitely one of Karl’s better days since we began, and that showed with the 60.1-mile finish for the day. He pushed himself to go further when you could see all he wanted was to stop for the day.
August 28, 2016 Maryland
Day 27: Karl seems to be doing excellent, and the new crew is settling in together well. His shin pain and swelling has subsided thanks to a more effective way he found to tape and cover it. Karl's speed walk has now turned into a jog or near-run at a consistent pace. Eric and the crew are particularly happy because Karl is feeling better and putting in more daily miles, consistently. Karl has been eating through a lot of cans of ravioli, mandarin oranges and Red Bull over the past few days. The trail terrain in this area is varied, but mostly it is hilly. One thru-hiker called it “the roller coaster.” Today Karl went further than anticipated again and knocked out a whopping 55.8 miles after covering 60 miles the day before. Tomorrow he will begin the first real test since the White Mountains as we enter Shenandoah National Park.
August 29, 2016 Virginia
Day 28: Today Karl entered beautiful Shenandoah National Park, a trail section with more elevation changes and mountains than he has seen since the White Mountains. Karl is still keeping a consistent jogging pace and time when he arrives and departs from his crew stops, averaging between 3.5 and 4 mph. Karl had another incredible day and logged his miles while making it half way through SNP in one day. His demeanor is very measured. At crew stops, he isn’t saying much. Instead, he’s eating as much food as possible and then getting back onto the trail as fast as he can. This hike has now turned into a routine for Karl, but he's optimistic and still in good spirits now that he’s more than half-way through.
August 30, 2016 Virginia
Day 29: This morning Karl and his crew woke up among a group of grazing white-tailed deer. This 107-mile stretch of trail through Shenandoah truly is beautiful. Karl’s progress south is going well, and the shin that was bothering him is now taped and feeling much better. Being free from shin pain and swelling is allowing Karl to pick up his pace on the rugged Shenandoah Park terrain. Karl logged a solid 50.4 miles today and was in bed after his nightly routine of icing his legs and dinner. Though no day on the Appalachian Trail is considered easy, today went by as well as we could hope for, efficient and fast.
August 31, 2016 Virginia
Day 30: Karl exited Shenandoah National Park today after a little more than two days. Karl’s foot blisters are flaring up a bit, but he’s still pushing through. Some new lunch options are helping keep spirits up with Karl trading in his PB&J for pork sliders. Tonight the crew had planned to stop at 6:00, but Karl felt strong and insisted that he keep going. He ended up going another 11 miles making today nearly a 60-miler. The extra trail time meant less rest time, however, and Karl didn’t get to bed until nearly midnight.
September 1, 2016 Virginia
Day 31: It was a busy day on this Blue Ridge Parkway section of the trail today, and Karl was extremely fatigued from the lack of sleep and pushing the extra 11-miles last night. Though sluggish, he is still smiling. Around mid-day, Karl came off the trail limping. The blister under his foot had filled with fluid, and he couldn't put pressure on it. The crew drained the blister, bandaged Karl up, and he continued onward at at jogging pace. Today he crossed over the James River Footbridge, which is an iconic and beautiful spot along the Virginia section of the Appalachian Trail. Karl ate two steaks for dinner while he iced his legs then promptly went to bed.
September 2, 2016 Virginia
Day 32: Karl is holding up well considering the fatigue that he's been enduring. The crew supplied Karl with a better needle, and he properly drained all of the fluid from his blister. The hope is that the bottom of his foot stays dry so the blister doesn't flare again. To make the most of his time and to continue closing the time gap to set a new thru-hike speed record, Karl and his crew slept on the trail tonight at Scorched Earth Gap. Hopefully they get enough rest for tomorrow so Karl can continue to keep logging 50-plus mile days; today he ran 57.
September 3, 2016 Virginia
Day 33: Karl’s decision to sleep on the trail last night almost proved fatal for his record attempt. Bedding down where they were instead of pushing four miles further to the van resulted in him getting a bad night’s sleep. Desperate and drained, Karl stopped during his first trail section the next morning to sleep on the dirt. His crew found him and pushed him onwards near McAfee Knob where the van was staged. He slept in the van for about three hours, woke up, and then disappeared unannounced. The crew found Karl again at the next stop and met him with a pint of ice cream. Two minutes later the pint was eaten and Karl was off again. Later in the day, Karl’s friend Dave met up with him bringing a gift of fried chicken and firm motivation. “You can do this,” Dave said. “The question is whether you have enough grit.” After two more sections, Karl stopped. He insisted he couldn’t go any further without getting more sleep. Everyone agreed, and Karl was in bed before 7 p.m. This 23-mile day is among the low points so far. The crew hopes Karl can benefit from the extra sleep and rebound tomorrow.
September 4, 2016 Virginia
Day 34: Karl woke up rested today from a long-night’s sleep. He started off charging hard, and it is obvious he’s feeling better. The trail has been a series of ups and downs for Karl, but today was a high for him, bouncing back with another 50-plus-mile day. The terrain in this area of the trail is very fast, and Karl said that he was jogging a lot more than he has been. There are hills in this region but nothing like what Karl passed through in Shenandoah. Yesterday was difficult, and Karl attributes his motivation to keep pushing forward to his wife, Cheryl. Though he is now confronted with a tighter gap to beat the thru-hike speed record, Karl is optimistic and knows what it's going to take to complete the final 12 days. Karl finished the day in the darkness with Cheryl by his side. His final stretch was over 16 miles without a crew stop and limited water. Eric had pasta waiting at the van. The crew calculates that Karl will need to cover at least 50 miles a day for the next 12 days in order to beat the current speed records. Karl knows this, too, and he will need to dig deep to make it happen.
September 5, 2016 Virginia
Day 35: Karl woke up tired this morning and was slow to get moving, but as the morning wore on, routine set in. The area he is currently in is mountainous and does have some rocks but nothing as extreme as those in Pennsylvania. Karl’s miles are starting to even out each day, and he is in good spirits, which is great news considering where we have to go. He continues to eat a variety of food, but the most common items in his hiking belt are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Spree (candy). The day ended after 49.2 miles - close to the 50 per day needed between now and the end to break the record.
September 6, 2016 Virginia
Day 36: Today was a great day for Karl as his speed hike has turned into a consistent jog. This morning, Karl's friend Billy joined the crew for a few days. The terrain that Karl is now passing through is mostly hills and farmland. In fact, at one point on the trail, as the crew was waiting for Karl to arrive, you could hear him “mooing” at the cows as he ran past them. We are currently in southern Virginia near the Tennessee and North Carolina borders. Karl is making great pace and has picked up the speed; it's helping his morale. After putting in more than 1,800 miles with no break, it's reasonable that one could struggle to stay positive, yet somehow Karl is managing to still make jokes and smile along the way. Today’s 57.5 mile total will help the average.
September 7, 2016 Virginia
Day 37: Karl was in great spirits this morning, maybe even the best mood he’s been in while on the trip. Perhaps it’s because Karl has arrived to a point on the trail that puts him further ahead, while on record pace, than during his previous record attempts. He’s passing through Grayson Highlands State Park today, a place in southwest Virginia known for its free-roaming, wild ponies. Cheryl (Karl’s wife) and friend Billy hiked in and crewed Karl in the park to provide him extra water on a 17-mile stretch. Karl joked with the crew during the stops and continued on, benefitting from cooler temperatures and very low humidity - good running conditions! Karl is now maintaining the 50-miles-per-day average he needs to beat the record. His attitude is positive; he’s feeling confident in his potential to break the record. The positive outlook is affecting the crew, in a good way, too. The next four days are critical for keeping up pace to break the record. Karl completed 50 miles today.
September 8, 2016 Virginia
Day 38: Karl’s been maintaining a great pace the last few days. Keeping up with 50-mile days is critical now. Cheryl and Billy returned home today leaving Eric and Karl Sr. to crew. The trail is starting to become more difficult as we head south and approach the Smokies. The hills are now mountains, requiring Karl to climb elevations at certain stretches in his hike. However, despite the varied terrain, Karl has continued to keep a steady pace. Achieving 55.6 miles today was a huge success for Karl and his crew.
September 9, 2016 Virginia / Tennessee
Day 39: Karl entered Tennessee last night and will be traveling along the Tennessee-North Carolina border for the next few days. His demeanor is that of a man on a mission. When he comes into crew stops, you can see his mind is focused only on getting back on the trail. This evening Karl was surprised once again when running companion and former AT FKT record holder Dave Horton arrived. Dave met up with Karl later on in the afternoon and helped crew him and motivate him as nightfall approached. Scott Jurek also arrived today. Karl helped crew Scott during his 2015 record-setting AT hike. Now, Scott will support Karl in his quest to break Scott’s own record. Karl stopped a little short of plan tonight, but there is no concern that it will affect the planned pace for the final week. With a strong supporting crew, Karl and team are confident that if he can push through the next two days well, it will be smooth sailing to the end - as smooth as running seven more 50-mile days can be.
September 10, 2016 Tennessee
Day 40: Dave Horton and Scott Jurek (former and current AT record holders, respectively) started the day with Karl and crewed him for the first few stops until Dave had to break off to leave the trail. Dave’s parting advice to Karl was, “You can do it, but you should quit now if you don’t plan on beating Scott’s record.” Scott is still with Karl. More than 40 days have passed since Karl left Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Physically, he hasn’t changed much; he appears to have lost maybe five pounds. Mentally, the 40 trail days are showing their toll. Karl is getting more particular about his diet, and he’s not so quick to laugh and joke with the crew anymore. His core crew of Karl Sr. and Eric are charging hard toward the finish line, too. The trail almost gave up 50 miles today, but in the end, before the routine of evening set in, Karl managed 47.3. Physically well, Karl will head toward Hot Springs tomorrow, an iconic trail town. It’s becoming a game of strategy - push today and pay tomorrow or save strength for an explosive follow-up. These are the hourly decisions facing Karl and his crew.
September 11, 2016 Tennessee / North Carolina
Day 41: Karl is passing through a section of trail that varies between farmland and forest. He’s maintaining a pace between fast hike and a jog and is still holding up well physically. The crew went into town today to restock between Karl’s 11-to-17-mile sections. Karl was feeling good at the end of the day after completing 51.4 miles. Scott was with Karl throughout the day and commented that Karl looked good and was confident in his ability to break the record. He hit all of the planned marks on time needed to reach Springer Mountain in record time. The next few days will present more challenging terrain than Karl’s been on recently.
September 12, 2016 Tennessee / North Carolina
Day 42: The temperature has been heating up and the humidity is rising as Karl travels further into North Carolina, but it doesn’t seem to be impacting him too much. He’s maintaining his cool thanks to cold towels provided by Senior at crew stops. Scott’s presence is helping Karl's pace, but Scott has to leave after tomorrow for a day. He’ll be back soon to support Karl at the finish. The crew rested today along the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tomorrow, Karl will be attempting to hike through the Smokies at the quickest pace possible without burning himself out. That is why today's mileage will only be around 40 miles. Tomorrow will be one of the biggest challenges Karl has faced as he summits the tallest mountain on the AT. Knowing Speedgoat, this big challenge shouldn't be big at all.
Septemebr 13, 2016 North Carolina
September 14, 2016 North Carolina
Day 43: Karl entered Great Smoky Mountain National Park early this morning. This mountain range is the biggest challenge Karl has faced since the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Also located in this mountain range is the tallest mountain on the AT, Clingman’s Dome, which Karl faced early in the day. The Smokies are a challenge for hikers of any level, but Karl got through without any hiccups, and he and the crew even got to appreciate the beauty this part of the trail offers. Karl decided to camp on the trail again tonight. It didn’t go very well last time, and the shelter Karl chose to stop at is a 20-mile hike from the road. Scott hiked in to take care of Karl for the night. Senior and Eric camped at the next day’s first crew stop to have a big, hot breakfast waiting for Karl. Nearly knocking out the Smokies all in one day (55 miles today) is a huge deal and has put Karl in good position for tomorrow to have a relatively easy day. Though as all previous Appalachian Trail FKT record holders would say, “there's no easy day on the trail.”
September 15, 2016 Smoky Mountain National Park
Day 44: Karl exited the Smokies this morning and crossed over the iconic Fontana Dam. He disappeared as quickly as he appeared; he’s moving fast. Scott had to leave today, but he will be back tomorrow evening to help crew Karl to the finish. His company on the trail has been greatly appreciated; the strong bond among the Ultra community is at work here. Karl had ups and downs mentally throughout the day, but physically his body is holding up well. He's consistently knocked out each crew stop on time, and that allowed him to finish the day with 46 miles before sundown. As he reaches the final days, every ounce of energy counts, every step is critical. Right now, Karl is roughly 130 miles from Springer Mountain - the “finish line” of the Appalachian Trail. When he rolled into bed tonight he made the remark that he doesn't “smell the barn yet,” but that is sure to change within the next 24 to 48 hours. It’s crunch time, and whether Karl wants to cut the record close or shatter it is completely in his hands. If his body stays healthy and his crew strong, odds are, Karl will be the next AT record holder. Only the next 48-hours will tell.
September 16, 2016 North Carolina
Day 45: Today is Karl's last “normal” day, and he is aiming for 50 miles in order to provide him with a good night's rest before his final day and a planned 80-mile push at the end. Today the terrain leveled out; however, like every day, there were some sections that were challenging. The energy among the crew continues to build as the finish nears. Karl is jogging in and out of the crew stops and always is maintaining at least a fast walk. Although Karl is looking thinner, he’s physically well, and the weight loss doesn’t appear to be affecting his performance. Karl's sister and niece arrived tonight giving him some extra family encouragement. Scott returned tonight and met Karl at his final stop. He plans to run with Karl through the night as he heads toward Springer. With just 83 miles to go, the record is in Karl’s hands, and the support around him is very strong.
September 17, 2016 Georgia
Day 46: Today is the most anticipated day on the Appalachian Trail yet. Karl and his crew were up at 3:05 a.m., and Karl went through his morning breakfast routine before hitting the trail at 3:50 a.m. to start his final 85-mile hike to Springer Mountain in Georgia. The trail sections between crew stops today are between 11 and 15 miles. Karl is keeping around a 3.5 mph pace with some faster sections. Karl's support crew has grown with more friends and family coming out to support him. His sister, niece and wife Cheryl have been hiking in and running with him to the crew stops to keep him company. Karl is in good spirits, and the crew consensus is that Karl is starting to “smell the barn.” He’s talkative at crew stops but is moving through them very quickly, taking just two minutes or less, just enough time to grab a water bottle, a to-go sandwich and some candy. Karl left Tesnatee Gap at 5:15 p.m., which is the halfway point for the day. He has 40 miles ahead of him. There is no sleep planned tonight. He’s going to push through and try to beat the record by as wide a margin as he can.
September 18, 2016 Springer Mountain, Georgia
Ultra runner and Red Bull athlete Karl Meltzer set a new Appalachian Trail thru-hike speed record early this morning, Sept. 18, 2016, when he arrived to Springer Mountain in Georgia at 3:38 a.m. He started at 5 a.m. on August 3, 2016, at the north end of the trail at Mount Katahdin, Maine. The new record set by Meltzer is 45 days, 22 hours and 38 minutes. For the final stretch, Meltzer ran 83 miles nonstop between Saturday starting at 3:50 a.m. until Sunday at 3:38 a.m. In total, he ran 2,190 miles through 14 states supported by a small crew consisting of his father and crew chief Eric Belz.