Basically a sub 3 marathon

Morning Run

1 hour stairs

This was such an amazing journey. Thanks all for the kind words! 

I made my first attempt at this on 5/15, which was one week ago. I met some GI issues and had to stop after the first R2R2R.

As my legs were relatively fresh, I decided to try again this past weekend. I started on 5/22 2:36 pm local time. It took me about 4 hours and 45 minutes to get to the north rim for the first time, after which I headed back to the south rim.

Then the most amazing part of this journey happened, and you wouldn’t believe whom I met in the night close to phantom ranch. I met Michael Greer! The very person whose FKT I was trying to beat. We only knew each other on strava, and it’s just when we finally met in person that I discovered what a cool person he is. He’s totally chill with my attempt at the FKT and offered to run with me, or “tag along” in his own words. So we ran together and talked about each other’s running career. He told me I should continue even if I felt I couldn’t do it, because something things will work out, which was sort of what happened later on. It was such a change for the better from running along in the night. We parted at South Kaibab trailhead as I need to re-supply from my car which was parked about a kilometer away, and didn’t want to kept him waiting. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this rare chance encounter. The real life drama is dramatic enough.

I slowed down during my second R2R2R, and struggled quite a bit up the South Kaibab trailhead. Here I met another great athlete, Sophia Liu, who’s OTQed. She graciously offered to accompany me to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Once there I’m just happy it’s all over. I felt lucky to have got the FKT, as there were many moments I thought I’d fail. I still have so much more to learn about ultra-running. 



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Meng Zhao

R2R2R2R2R FKT Challenge

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Basically a sub 3 marathon

Morning Run

1 hour stairs

Morning Run

Morning Run

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