Post by dirtyshooze on Jul 26, 2015 13:58:32 GMT -5
The recent high profile AT record hike suggests another category be added to the FKT protocol. Record seekers presently choose between Unsupported, Self-Supported and Supported efforts. The present record holder's experience inclines toward splitting Supported into Lean and Extensive. Just as we ought not compare among the three existing categories, nor should we find comparability between a thin crew appearing at designated landmarks to an extensive, almost seamless train of support that Scott had advantage of. Each approach involves its own tradeoffs of pros and cons, deliberated and determined by the record seeker, but to lump Lean and Extensive support into the same category is as disjointed as comparing Unsupported and Supported. How different would Scott's time be had his trail peeps not been with him thru difficult and unfamiliar territory, as contrast to other efforts with infrequent and minimal logistics and on-trail pacing (e.g., Andrew Thompson)?
A side note: further, Ultramarathoners who attempt long trail records and who don't run at least (as initial thought) one-third the distance ought to be honest with the general public about the experience being a strength of fast hiking, versus relying on ultra running bona fides to explain their performance. AT, PCT and cousin long trails' records seem to reward the economical speed hiker over the fast runner. While praise for David Horton's PCT record found wide voice in 2005, even beyond the Ultrarunning community, less voice accompanied the hiker, Josh Garrett, who the following year bested Horton's record by 7 days, that record since improved by yet more hikers. Tracking historically, today's UltraMarathoning is but a cousin to the late 19th century Astley Belt hoopla / early 20th century's SuperHiking (e.g., see Guy and Laura Waterman's "Forest and Crag" chapter 46). Those earlier speed endeavors were relatively silent on distinguishing running from hiking/speedwalking, yet today's terminology presumes running as the basis for record breaking. So that, when Scott Jurek improves Jennifer Pharr-Davis' AT record by less than 1% -- he from a lauded running base, she from hiker background -- such accomplishment either questions the value of "running" as economy of energy for breaking a record, or underscores the (repeatedly proven) strength of efficient hiking. If one is in need of inspiration for adventuring long trails, however you anticipate your speed, consider gathering motivation from beyond the running press -- again, for example but hardly restricted, from the Watermans' "Backwoods Ethics," chapter six, with this writer's preference for the AT's Grandma Gatewood.
A side note: further, Ultramarathoners who attempt long trail records and who don't run at least (as initial thought) one-third the distance ought to be honest with the general public about the experience being a strength of fast hiking, versus relying on ultra running bona fides to explain their performance. AT, PCT and cousin long trails' records seem to reward the economical speed hiker over the fast runner. While praise for David Horton's PCT record found wide voice in 2005, even beyond the Ultrarunning community, less voice accompanied the hiker, Josh Garrett, who the following year bested Horton's record by 7 days, that record since improved by yet more hikers. Tracking historically, today's UltraMarathoning is but a cousin to the late 19th century Astley Belt hoopla / early 20th century's SuperHiking (e.g., see Guy and Laura Waterman's "Forest and Crag" chapter 46). Those earlier speed endeavors were relatively silent on distinguishing running from hiking/speedwalking, yet today's terminology presumes running as the basis for record breaking. So that, when Scott Jurek improves Jennifer Pharr-Davis' AT record by less than 1% -- he from a lauded running base, she from hiker background -- such accomplishment either questions the value of "running" as economy of energy for breaking a record, or underscores the (repeatedly proven) strength of efficient hiking. If one is in need of inspiration for adventuring long trails, however you anticipate your speed, consider gathering motivation from beyond the running press -- again, for example but hardly restricted, from the Watermans' "Backwoods Ethics," chapter six, with this writer's preference for the AT's Grandma Gatewood.
!!!