We talk about filling out your dash, living a full life. Then I interview Liz Derstine, an accomplished trail runner and FKT (Fastest Known Time) record holder. We discuss Liz's trail name, her experience on the Appalachian Trail, her connection with Warren Doyle, and her transition to self-supported FKT attempts.

Liz also shares her challenges with blisters, animal encounters, sleep deprivation, and hallucinations during her FKTs. She discusses balancing her running and music careers and expresses her love for long-distance trail FKTs. The episode concludes with Liz's recent FKT attempt on the Colorado Trail and her support for her friend's FKT attempt on the same trail after hers ended.

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Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Remembering Jerry West and Filling Out the Dash

03:25 Getting the Trail Name Mercury

05:24 Connecting with Warren Doyle and Starting the Appalachian Trail

09:46 Learning and Preparing for the AT

13:33 Challenges on the Trail: Blisters, Animal Encounters, and Sleep Deprivation

18:54 Dealing with Sleep Deprivation and Pushing Through

22:17 Hallucinations and Mind Games on the Trail

25:08 Transitioning to Self-Supported FKT Attempts

30:27 Running Commute and Balancing Running and Music Careers

32:53 The Joy of Long-Distance Trail FKTs

36:42 Supportive Nature of the Trail Running Community

41:34 Last Person Standing Style and Overcoming Mental Blocks

43:56 Most Enjoyable Experiences: Swiss Via Alpina and Colorado Trail

Keywords: trail running, FKT, Liz Durstein, Appalachian Trail, self-supported, blisters, animal encounters, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, balancing, long-distance trail, Colorado Trail

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