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What is the Florida Trail?
The Florida Trail is one of eleven national scenic trails in the country. It is an 1,108 mile long through hiking trail that spans through the entire state of Florida, starting in Big Cypress National Preserve and finishing in Fort Pickens (Pensacola)

What is an FKT?
FKT is short for Fastest Known Time. It is a speed record for any running/hiking route. 

On February 8th, 2025 Deanna will be attempting to set the women's supported Fastest Known Time on the Florida Trail. 

Distance: 1,108 miles
Direction: Northbound
Goal: 20 days or less
Average daily mileage: 55 miles

There currently is not a womens supported FKT time, so my goal time is based off the current records in the mens category. I would like to beat all supported times! 
 

Interested in crewing, pacing, or helping wherever needed? 

Please reach out and contact me directly to join the crew!!

wanderingrunnerco@gmail.com

When: February 8th- March 1st, 2025

Biggest focus is going to be during the first week of this attempt. The first week will either make it or break it!! So anyone that is willing to come out February 8th through February 15th would be ideal (starting at the southern terminus in Big Cypress.)

It's going to take a village to get me all the way to Fort Pickens. Any help or time that you are willing to give is highly appreciated! Seriously I will not be able to do this thing without you amazing people. Thank you thank you!!

Please read detailed outline below of the type of help we will need, expectations, and all other information regarding this huge effort. 

HELP NEEDED!!

Crew/General Support: 


*This is the biggest priority over having pacers. We will have one main crew vehicle but that's it. Any additional help for them will take a lot of weight off their shoulders to help everything else run smoothly.

 

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP CREW FOR THE ENTIRE EFFORT/3-4 WEEKS MAX PLEASE REACH OUT!! WE ARE IN NEED OF ONE MORE FULL TIME CREW MEMBER!! 

 

If you also live within a 30 minute drive from the trail and are willing to house us or help us do laundry and other chores, please reach out! 
 

  • Laundry - finding campgrounds or laundromats near town to wash all the dirty and nasty clothes. Not a fun job but this is ESSENTIAL to continue on this trek. 

  • Grocery shopping

  • Cooking/Meal prepping

  • Dishes

  • Cleaning and help organizing the crew vehicle

  • Resupplies on any gear or last minute needs

  • Charging external batteries

  • Researching where to sleep/camp for the night if we veer off the plan

  • Possible vehicle maintenance

    These mundane tasks are the less glorious side to these long distance FKT's, but an essential part of keeping the boat afloat. ​

FOOD

Ahh yes, glorious food! Because doing 50+ miles a day burns a LOT of calories, I will basically turn into an eating machine. Making sure I am getting enough calories in will be the biggest priority. I will be in a constant deficit so anyway we can cram calories down, we gotta do that!​​

Please keep in mind that I am VEGAN! Besides that I do not have any other restrictions. I love bread and anything homemade!

Desired foods: 

Foods that I predict I will want to eat, but may or may  not be craving during this crazy adventure. Please don't be offended if what you bring is not what I want. My cravings and taste buds will likely be all over the place. 

  • Cold fruits - pineapple, mango, watermelon, bananas, berries

  • Fresh veggies - cucumbers, sugar snap peas, carrots and hummus, romaine 

  • Smoothies

  • Juices / green juice/ beet carrot juice, etc.. 

  • Homemade baked goodies or meals 

  • Quick cooking oats - cinnamon/coconut sugar, maple, apples/cinnamon

  • Protein shakes

  • Protein balls - peanut butter or tahini, coconut sugar or maple syrup, oat flour or quick oats. Splash of liquid if too dry.

  • Dates

  • Peanut butter - all natural no added oils/sugar - just peanuts and salt

  • Peanut butter filled pretzels

  • Almond or coconut milk for protein shakes, cereal, and oatmeal

  • Granola and/or heritage flakes

  • Avocado wraps, Black bean avocado burritos

  • Rice, wild rice, quinoa mix

  • Avocado rice

  • Lentil and barley microwave pouches from whole foods 

  • Pickles

  • Veggie ramen

  • Butternut squash soup and sourdough bread

  • Lentil soup, potato soup!!

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Baby gold potatoes roasted or boiled with salt - avocado oil if roasted

  • Vegan mashed potatoes - earth balance butter (CALORIES)

  • Vegan desserts - mousse, peanut butter cups, coconut whipped cream, sorbet, cookies/cake?? yes please!!  

  • Vegan mac n cheese (Daiya or annies box ) 

  • Pub sub - vegan sub or falafel sub 

  • French fries/sweet potato fries 

  • Veggie burgers

What to bring:

You will NEED to be self sufficient to be part of the crew. You must be good at following directions and navigating forest service roads when you don't have cell service. Having a garmin inreach tracker is ideal for communication between Deanna and crew and also within the crew/pacers. 

  • Clothing for ALL types of weather : Rain, cold, extreme heat, wind....

  • Rain Jacket, ponchos, umbrella, puffy jacket, buff, sunglasses, extra socks (Feet WILL get wet if you are pacing)

  • RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION!!

  • Food for yourself/camp stove and utensils

  • Extra water for yourself and crew/Deanna

  • Camping gear and tent to sleep in. We will be camping at trailheads, national forest campgrounds and nearby RV parks along the trail

  • Chairs

  • Headlamps / camp lanterns

  • External battery power banks

  • Any homemade food to share with the crew and/or Deanna 

  • Good vibes!!!

What to expect:

  • I will likely be mentally and physically drained. I will probably not want to talk much at all and will be going through all the highs/lows of this journey.

  • My pace will NOT be fast. The fastest pace will be about 9 minute miles but will only be held for a few minutes or sections at a time. This FKT will be a huge run/jog interval. Average daily pace goal is 15-17 minute miles. 

  • Most nights we are camping out at trailheads or in national forest campgrounds. There will be no facilities, showers or cell service. Please be prepared. We will have a portable shower for Deanna

  • If you plan to pace you are fully on your own to coordinate how you will get back to your car, since you will go point to point.  The crew will continue the onward journey northbound on the Florida trail. 

Deanna's biggest needs:

  • Getting in and out of the crew stops quickly: 5-15 minutes MAX

  • One 15-30 minute break in the middle of the day for D to rest and eat

  • Make sure she is eating enough calories and carrying enough calories + hydration for the next section - the average mileage between crew stops is about 14

  • Keeping up with personal hygiene- brushing teeth 3x a day, flossing, getting clean and showered and cleaning feet at the end of the day

  • Foot care / blister care as needed

  • Getting Deanna to bed as quickly as possible at night and waking her up early to get the day started

  • Being positive, uplifting and keeping the energy light and happy!! ​

I have a detailed  itinerary with mileages, daily mileage goals, coordinates/directions for all of our crew stops. I also have information on where to stay and other logistics in this handbook. If you can commit to any days with me I can send you this information and will lock you into the schedule as a crew member and/or pacer.

Please reach out and let me know the role you would like to play on this journey and exact dates that you can commit!!

​

Thank you in advance and cannot wait for this adventure to begin!! 

wanderingrunnerco@gmail.com

Can't come out to help?

Please consider donating to help fund this huge effort! It's already been a huge investment of gear and equipment for our crew vehicle to make everything efficient for the journey. Please read the full story and any help goes a long way. 

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