Harvey Lewis - 2018 AT Supported FKT Attempt

[Linesman]

Also, shoutout to the Georgia Jewel.

Are you working on the AT this summer or different Scott S?

[TrailRunnerGuy]

Past the halfway point (1099) pretty early this morning. Still a little behind but 4 big days in a row, averaging ~55 miles/day, which puts him right back in the game.

[TravisRex]

Travis,

Thanks for the great updates. I've really been enjoying following this, as I do all record attempts. Your first-person insight makes this attempt particularly interesting. I also appreciate you acknowledging what an absolutely amazing thing Stringbean did. He truly blew it out of the water on his hike.

Thanks James! While doing research for the attempt, WhiteBlaze was one of the best sources for daily breakdowns (OddManOut and MapMan come to mind) as well as people posing questions, making suggestions, and some uh, "constructive criticism."

One of the things that Harvey wanted to do with his run was to make it accessible. Harvey thrives on positive thought and support (my first year with him at Badwater, one of the other guys on the crew suggested that I periodically put my hand on his shoulder and talk to him about what I was experiencing and how that was possible because of what he was doing), and so we've tried to pull back the curtain to some extent and let people peek behind the curtain a bit.

On a personal level, I've really enjoyed reading WB and all of the discussion on both this and other attempts, and it's clear that this is an amazing, passionate (and at times amazingly passionate) community who truly love this trail. And I appreciate the opportunity to poke my head in the door and share some additional insight on this attempt.

I know there are some who likely looked at Harvey as an interloping ultrarunner - and a road runner at that - and probably rolled their eyes. I know when Harvey first started talking to me about it, my initial reaction was "Wait, what? Really?" But Harvey does respect the trail, those footsteps he's literally following, and the people that he's meeting along the trail and in the towns along the way. He went into this knowing it was going to be a huge challenge, and I've had several conversations with him that have included him saying "You have no idea how tough this is."

Did he really know what he was getting himself into? Oh heck no. I don't think anyone who has done a thru-hike ever really does. The team has had multiple conversations that ended with "Man, I wish we had an extra year to plan!" But I don't doubt that in June of 2019 we'd still be sitting here saying "Man, I wish we had an extra year." Attempting a thru-hike, let alone an FKT, is a mammoth undertaking (as I know many of you are intimately aware).

ScottS and Matthew.d.kirk are right on in their assessment - the FKT will get to the point (and maybe it already is at this point) where the only way to break the record is to spend years of trial, planning, scheduling, and potentially multiple attempts and will require a specialized skillset (and maybe a healthy dose of luck and trail magic). Jurek broke the record thanks to his world-class fitness (and other reasons), Meltzer broke the record thanks to his planning (and other reasons). I have no idea how Stringbean and Joey did what they did.

[Malto]

Travis, the intimate knowledge of the trail was a huge advantage for Scott Williamson when he was setting near annual records on the PCT. He knew unmarked water sources and I suspect he had unadvertised resupply points based on relationships that he had established. As far as the hybrid approach goes, I wonder if the efficiency of sleeping at times on the trail is outweighed by the support factor of being around others. I guess you could have a traveling hiking crew to get the best of both worlds.

[ScottS]

Are you working on the AT this summer or different Scott S?

Different guy.

[Violent Green]

Hybrid:
It's the best. Any limitations you can lift will benefit you. The year before my attempt I took notes of every single water source that was directly on trail and had room for a tent. If you have that kind of intimacy of the trail combined with a support van, you should be able to tailor every single day to almost the exact mileage you need while only having to actually carry the tarp/etc. on the days you need it. And only from the last time you see your crew to the first in the morning.
It's really fun seeing the way the "sport" of FKT is evolving since sponsors have started getting involved. We're in the era of top athletes coming in but they're doing challenges they're unfamiliar with. There's still room for someone who really knows the trail to have advantages in logistics and strategy. And it's funny because top athletes all know that knowing a course makes it easier.

This. I still see the occasional "we had to do 39 miles or 66 miles due to road crossings, so we did 39" with practically every attempt. Was it JPD's crew that hiked in and set up camp for her?
I think we're nearing the speed limit faster than the logistical limit.

[TravisRex]

Harvey's had a rough couple of days with some falls outside of Port Clinton and getting off-trail heading into Delaware Water Gap (he corrected, backtracked, and was back on trail with about an hour of lost time).

I spent some time last night - with "Made to Be Broken" playing in the background on Netflix - trying to work out a strategy for the remaining 18 days and what options exist for closing a 30 mile deficit to Stringbean.

I'm drawn to day 44. From numbers I found on the forums here, Stringbean ended day 44 at 2076.4. Jurek ended at 2074.6. Despite being at nearly the same distance, Stringbean finished 19 hours and 52 minutes faster than Jurek. I know that he made that final push without sleeping, but that was the first time that I've really dug into those numbers.

And so the question shifted to trying to figure out how to get Harvey far enough ahead by day 44 that he might have a buffer against Stringbean's final push.

He'll end today (it's 10 pm eastern and he's still moving) somewhere around 20-30 miles behind Stringbean. So there's time to make up that he's behind already - and time that he needs to get ahead to guard against Stringbean's closing speed.

The numbers still make sense on paper. With Scott and Joe being at roughly the same place, I've put together a plan that targets a few miles more than whatever the maximum was done by Stringbean or Jurek on each particular day. For instance on Day 35, Stringbean did 55.3, Jurek did 50.4. We're looking at 58.5.

It's tough, it's aggressive, but it's the only way at this point.

[chknfngrs]

I think it’s awesome and an amazing effort for what it’s worth hopefully this guy knows no matter what he’s a damn fine runner

[TravisRex]

I think it’s awesome and an amazing effort for what it’s worth hopefully this guy knows no matter what he’s a damn fine runner

Before Harvey even started, I had some conversations with people about what it would mean for him to complete the trail, but miss the record. Obviously it's something that happens - Joey last fall comes to mind - but I can't imagine what that feeling would be like. Actually, after going completing the trail - regardless of how fast - I can't imagine what that must feel like.

For any of you who have completed a thru-hike, what is the feeling like of going back to the "real world?"

[putts]

For any of you who have completed a thru-hike, what is the feeling like of going back to the "real world?"

It's easier if you have a good support crew and know where you are going to camp. In all seriousness though, for me, the transition was tough. I was ill prepared.

[Crushed Grapes]

Is his Road ID page not loading correctly for anyone else? The map won't display for me

[Odd Man Out]

Is his Road ID page not loading correctly for anyone else? The map won't display for me

It worked just now. I have had a few times when the map wouldn't load. Then if I reload the page it was fine. I think sometimes it just gets stuck. I've tried switching to a different browser when it wouldn't load and that helped.

[Odd Man Out]

Here's what I have so far, along with Stringbean's pace to the finish.

	Harvey		StringBean
Day	Start Location	Day Miles	Location	Day Miles	Ahead of Pace
0	Springer Mtn/AT Southern Terminus		Springer Mtn/AT Southern Terminus
1	Unicoi Gap/GA Hwy 75	52.3	Low Gap Shelter	42.6	9.7
2	Rock Gap Shelter/USFS Rd 67	53.1	Standing Indian Shelter	43.1	19.7
3	Stecoah Gap/NC Hwy 143	44.9	Nantahala, NC/US Hwy 19/74	50.8	13.8
4	Clingmans Dome Tower	49.3	Spence Field Shelter/Eagle Creek Trail	46.8	16.3
5	Davenport Gap/NC Hwy 32	39.1	Cosby Knob Shelter	47.4	8.0
6	Log Cabin Rd	52.1	Hot Springs, NC/NC Hwy 209	43.6	16.5
7	Spivey Gap/US Hwy 19W	42.0	Bald Mtn Shelter	52.7	5.8
8	Roan Mountain, TN/US Hwy 19E	62.0	Roan High Knob Shelter	51.5	16.3
9	Iron Mtn Shelter	49.2	Watauga Lake Shelter	51.5	14.0
10	Elk Garden/VA Rd 600	50.3	Saunders Shelter	49.6	14.7
11	Partnership Shelter/VA Hwy 16	39.2	Partnership Shelter/VA Hwy 16	53.9	0.0
12	Laurel Creek/VA Rd 615	50.8	Jenkins Shelter/Hunting Camp Creek	46.4	4.4
13	Pearisburg, VA/VA Hwy 100	52.2	Cross Ave/VA Rd 793	55.6	1.0
14	Rocky Gap/VA Rd 601	34.8	Craig Creek/VA Rd 621	52.8	-17.0
15	Catawba, VA/VA Hwy 311	38.1	Daleville, VA/US Hwy 220	40.9	-19.8
16	Bearwallow Gap/BRP 90.9	41.4	Thunder Hill	44.8	-23.2
17	Robinson Gap Rd/VA Rd 607	46.4	Woodworth Shelter/Lovingston Trail	47.8	-24.6
18	Reids Gap/VA Rd 664/BRP 13.6	46.7	Calf Mtn Shelter	48.9	-26.8
19	Black Rock Gap/Skyline 87.4	39.1	Lewis Spring/Big Meadows Wayside	53.9	-41.6
20	Skyland Loop Rd	50.6	Goose Creek/VA Rd 638	52.5	-43.5
21	Whiskey Hollow Shelter	52.4	Loudoun Heights	45.1	-36.2
22	Rocky Run Shelter	54.2	South Mtn, PA/PA Hwy 233	56.7	-38.7
23	Woodrow Rd	58.5	Conodoguinet Creek/Bernheisel Bridge Rd	54.1	-34.3
24	Peters Mtn Rd/PA Hwy 225	57.8	Yellow Springs	39.5	-16.0
25	Shartlesville Rd	55.3	Windsor Furnace Shelter	52.1	-12.8
26	Bake Oven Knob Rd	38.3	Leroy Smith Shelter	50.0	-24.5
27	Beulah Trail	47.9	Gren Anderson Shelter/Stony Brook	51.5	-28.1
28	Lake Wallkill Rd	52.8	Mombasha Mtn/Allis Trail	52.1	-27.4
29			RPH Shelter/Hortontown Rd	51.9
30			Caesar Brook Campsite	52.0
31			Tyringham, MA/Jerusalem Rd	59.0
32			Wilbur Clearing Shelter/Notch Rd	49.2
33			Stratton Pond Shelter	50.8
34			GovernorClement Shelter	50.2
35			Norwich, VT/Elm St	55.0
36			Oliverian Brook/NH Hwy 25	45.7
37			Liberty Springs Camp	28.4
38			Ripley Falls Trail	24.6
39			Carter Dome/Rainbow Trail	33.6
40			Mahoosuc Notch/South End	36.9
41			Spruce Mtn	42.7
42			Crocker Cirque Campsite	37.2
43			Kennebec River	44.0
44			North Pond Brook	40.8
45			Mud Pond	57.6
45.51			Mt Katahdin/AT Northern Terminus	53.1

[TravisRex]

Yeah we've had a number of issues with the RoadiD map but haven't been able to find an exact cause. We think it has something to do with the number of connections but nothing seems to really explain it.

[Odd Man Out]

He ran past midnight last night and was going before 7 AM today. At 8 AM today he at the low point. that is, crossing the Hudson. It's all uphill from here.

[thestin]

Harvey had a fairly short day yesterday, stopping at Mile 1471.8, which puts him 58.3 miles behind StringBean's pace. He is having a good day today, having already gone 40 miles.

[thestin]

Harvey covered 57.3 miles on Saturday, leaving him 50.2 miles behind StringBean's pace.

[thestin]

Looks like I may have been confused with Harvey's starting point on Saturday. It appears he covered around 47 miles, leaving him around 60 miles behind StringBean's pace.

[Odd Man Out]

This is what I have as of this morning. For the first time he is more than a day behind Stringbean, i.e. he started day 32 behind the spot where Stringbean started day 31.

	Harvey		StringBean
Day	Start Location	Day Miles	Location	Day Miles	Ahead of Pace
0	Springer Mtn/AT Southern Terminus		Springer Mtn/AT Southern Terminus
1	Unicoi Gap/GA Hwy 75	52.3	Low Gap Shelter	42.6	9.7
2	Rock Gap Shelter/USFS Rd 67	53.1	Standing Indian Shelter	43.1	19.7
3	Stecoah Gap/NC Hwy 143	44.9	Nantahala, NC/US Hwy 19/74	50.8	13.8
4	Clingmans Dome Tower	49.3	Spence Field Shelter/Eagle Creek Trail	46.8	16.3
5	Davenport Gap/NC Hwy 32	39.1	Cosby Knob Shelter	47.4	8.0
6	Log Cabin Rd	52.1	Hot Springs, NC/NC Hwy 209	43.6	16.5
7	Spivey Gap/US Hwy 19W	42.0	Bald Mtn Shelter	52.7	5.8
8	Roan Mountain, TN/US Hwy 19E	62.0	Roan High Knob Shelter	51.5	16.3
9	Iron Mtn Shelter	49.2	Watauga Lake Shelter	51.5	14.0
10	Elk Garden/VA Rd 600	50.3	Saunders Shelter	49.6	14.7
11	Partnership Shelter/VA Hwy 16	39.2	Partnership Shelter/VA Hwy 16	53.9	0.0
12	Laurel Creek/VA Rd 615	50.8	Jenkins Shelter/Hunting Camp Creek	46.4	4.4
13	Pearisburg, VA/VA Hwy 100	52.2	Cross Ave/VA Rd 793	55.6	1.0
14	Rocky Gap/VA Rd 601	34.8	Craig Creek/VA Rd 621	52.8	-17.0
15	Catawba, VA/VA Hwy 311	38.1	Daleville, VA/US Hwy 220	40.9	-19.8
16	Bearwallow Gap/BRP 90.9	41.4	Thunder Hill	44.8	-23.2
17	Robinson Gap Rd/VA Rd 607	46.4	Woodworth Shelter/Lovingston Trail	47.8	-24.6
18	Reids Gap/VA Rd 664/BRP 13.6	46.7	Calf Mtn Shelter	48.9	-26.8
19	Black Rock Gap/Skyline 87.4	39.1	Lewis Spring/Big Meadows Wayside	53.9	-41.6
20	Skyland Loop Rd	50.6	Goose Creek/VA Rd 638	52.5	-43.5
21	Whiskey Hollow Shelter	52.4	Loudoun Heights	45.1	-36.2
22	Rocky Run Shelter	54.2	South Mtn, PA/PA Hwy 233	56.7	-38.7
23	Woodrow Rd	58.5	Conodoguinet Creek/Bernheisel Bridge Rd	54.1	-34.3
24	Peters Mtn Rd/PA Hwy 225	57.8	Yellow Springs	39.5	-16.0
25	Shartlesville Rd	55.3	Windsor Furnace Shelter	52.1	-12.8
26	Bake Oven Knob Rd	38.3	Leroy Smith Shelter	50.0	-24.5
27	Beulah Trail	47.9	Gren Anderson Shelter/Stony Brook	51.5	-28.1
28	Lake Wallkill Rd	52.8	Mombasha Mtn/Allis Trail	52.1	-27.4
29	Seven Lakes Dr	48.9	RPH Shelter/Hortontown Rd	51.9	-30.4
30	AT Metro Station/NY Hwy 22/55	50.3	Caesar Brook Campsite	52.0	-32.1
31	Carse Brook/Cornwall Rd	34.3	Tyringham, MA/Jerusalem Rd	59.0	-56.8
32	Blue Hill Rd	47.0	Wilbur Clearing Shelter/Notch Rd	49.2	-59.0

[Slo-go'en]

If he's already that far behind, no catching up. He's about to get into the hard parts of the trail and with afternoon thunderstorms popping up in the Whites lately, that will slow him down even more.