AZ Trail FKT Squabbling...kind of silly to me

It looks like there's some (in my opinion) silly squabbling over the current AZ Trail FKT going on over at Fastest Known Times. The focus seems to be on which routes were used and if they were valid. You can read all about it here.

After spending some time on the sections of the Arizona Trail in the north part of the state, the idea of splitting hairs on the official FKT seems silly to me. I have found the trail to be all over the place and some sections aren't finished and lead no where while other sections haven't even been built yet. It may be said that there is an AZ Trail from Mexico to Utah but in my opinion it isn't all there yet.

It seems true (to me) to say that there will be no 'official' FKT on the AZ Trail until the entire trail is finished and old routes/roads followed made 'unofficial.' Until then, all FKT's set are (in my mind) only the FKT's of a partially finished trail that seems to be changing every year.

Don't get me wrong... I am extremely impressed by the effort it has taken these guys to set new FKT's, but... then afterward to squabble about who did what route for how ever many miles in what ever direction when they are all taking different routes at some point any way because of the nature of the trail. I mean, there is no way with the current condition of the route that they all traveled the same steps from Mexico to Utah. Most of the trail...probably, but not all, unless they all hiked on the same day, together.

...and, I'm not disagreeing with them about the route taken that is in question. It seems that to say you did the whole AZ Trail that you should follow all 'known routes' which didn't happen in one section by the person in question because of deep snow. I'm just saying that if you want to get on his back about his route then you should also question how valid your following of the trail is too when the trail isn't even truly completed and future record attempts will follow a different trail than you did.

It all just seems a bit silly to me...

On a more inspirational note:

Today, Devon Crosby-Helms and Krissy Moehl are going to try and break the R2R2R women's speed record in the Grand Canyon. In fact, they are probably already done... hope they got it!

As quoted on Fastest Known Times:

"To make it official we are excited to state our intention to run the womens FKT on the R2R2R. Devon Crosby-Helms and Krissy Moehl intend to start at 6am on Tuesday April 19, 2011 on the S. Kaibab trail and do a complete out and back. (S. Kaibab & N. Kaibab). We will time ourselves, take photos and have witnesses at start and finish. Finally we will post our results here after the run. Wish us a speedy and safe journey!" -Krissy and Devon

Also, I just listened to a really interesting ultra running podcast. Listen here. Thanks Leo!

Running Log

Yesterday: 9 miles (Schultz Creek, Little Gnarly, Brookbank, Rocky Ridge Loop. AWESOME!)

Today: 4.5 miles (Observatory Mesa)

-looking to rest up the next few days before running the Zion Traverse on Saturday. Can't wait! ...still worried a bit about snow though...