Looking for anyone who has done it. Particularly from MI or GA. I’d like to know how the Appalachian trail section compares to some mtb trails near Atlanta or in MI.
Thanks
Styrrell
I raced it in '05 (7:06) & it was an AWESOME experience, just coming off a PR at the NYC Marathon (2) weeks before. My detailed RR is posted here if you’re curious:
http://www.personalbestnutrition.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1132613039
I can’t help you RE the similarities/differences between the trail & those in ATL, but I can say the 1st 20mi are fairly technical. Heading into it, I felt very prepared from a trail running perspective, but I wasn’t as prepared as I could have been regarding how ‘off-road’ the initial 20mi are.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions.
Thanks your description was awesome. What shoes do you recommend? I’m likely going with light trail running shoes, but if I could I’d change 3 x for the trail path and road 
Styrrell
Did it in 2000 ~8:57 IIRC.
AP trail section is about 13-14 miles long and mostly runnable single track. There are some technical sections where you are basically rock-hopping and this is where it is easy to get in trouble. Overly ballistic movements on this section will come back to bite you later on in the race, so take it easy here.
Don’t get frustrated and work too hard to pass slower people on the single track sections. Many people go out way too fast and die later on. You have plenty of time to make up for it on the flat towpath section where it is easy to run your own pace and pass anyone you can.
RFP = Relentless Forward Progress. When you want to quit, just keep moving forward until the feeling goes away. It will.
Good luck.
My best friend and I will be there this year! Looking forward to it…
Doing it with my wife this year. Our plan is to take it easy and treat it like a long speed hike until the C&O.
I hope the weather cooperates this year. It can be anywhere from high 60s to low 30s and snow…
I ran it last year as my first ultra (7:18). I had an expectation of what the AT would be like but I was completely wrong. It was RUGGED and barely even obvious as a trail in a lot of places. I think I gave some photo examples in my RR. While it was a bit of a suprise I loved every second of it. I wore Nike Free Everyday shoes because I figured I’d appreciate a little more substantial support/padding compared to the Nike Free 5.0 that I do 95% of my training in. When I run JFK again I’ll definitely be in something more like a trail racing flat. Having that “feel” for the terrain under your feet on the rough trail sections would have been nice. IMO, no amount of running shoe support/stability will do you much good if you take a bad step back there - you’re gonna hurt regardless.
RR - http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=194765
I did it last year. I wore trail shoes on the AT and switched to my regular running shoes (Newtons) at the end of the AT. My husband crewed for me. I don’t recall if they had drop bags or not.
No drop bags. You can have people meet you at designated aid stations if you feel the need for gear changes.
I have done it twice, once with regular running shoes (my first ultra) and once with trail shoes. With the exception of 3 or 4 miles on the AT (you spend about 12 miles on the AT between the road start and the C&O canal towpath) there is nothing that I would describe as technical. Those 3 or 4 miles are slow moving if you’re a MOP runner since people bunch up, but it clears out quickly once you get to the towpath.
I’ve never had a crew, but many people switch shoes at the bottom of weaverton cilffs, just before the start of the towpath section. It’s the first spot for crew about 15 miles into the race.