From Hardrock to the AT: Tara Dower’s FKT Quest

July 29, 2024

Fastest Known Times (FKTs) represent the fastest recorded time of a given route, often challenging long-distance trails. They require not only exceptional speed and endurance, but also meticulous planning, resilience, and determination. The Appalachian Trail (AT) stands out as one of the most grueling and iconic, spanning approximately 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. The AT challenges hikers with its rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and significant elevation changes.

Team Injinji Athlete Tara Dower is gearing up to set the FKT on the Appalachian Trail, just a few weeks after her incredible fourth-place finish at Hardrock 100. Tara’s journey is fueled by her passion for long-distance hiking and a deep respect for the trails she conquers. 

We talked to Tara about her experiences with FKTs and what excites her most about embarking on this incredible journey.  
 
What is your history with FKT attempts? What inspired you to choose the Appalachian Trail (AT) this year? 
When I finished my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2019, I was interested in thru-hiking another long-distance trail. That is when the Mountains-to-Sea Trail popped onto my radar. The world shut down in 2020. I knew I couldn't do a standard thru-hike because unlike the AT, you rely heavily on trail angels [volunteers who provide items like food or drinks along the route].  
 
At the same time, I was working for Jennifer Pharr Davis, who holds the women's Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail. I was incredibly inspired by her and decided to try a supported FKT on the MST. It took 29 days to traverse 1,175 miles across the state of North Carolina. I fell in love with this way of completing long trails and since then have set the overall supported FKT on the Benton MacKaye Trail, a women's supported FKT on the Colorado Trail, and a 23-mile unsupported FKT on the VA trail
 
I was inspired to do the Appalachian Trail because it has always held a special place in my heart. I also wanted to attempt a record because I don't want to wonder in the future if I could have done it. 
 
Can you describe what training has looked like over the past few months? 
My training for the Appalachian Trail has been intense! I spent the month of May in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont doing recon on the trail. It was still snowy, and I traversed some big mountains postholing most of the way up. [Postholing is when a person’s foot/leg sinks into fresh snow, leaving a new hole with each step.] In June and the first half of July, I went to Colorado to train at altitude for the Hardrock 100-mile endurance run. My training for this consisted of a lot of hiking up big mountains, long runs, and a little speed work. I have also been seeing a mindset coach who helps me stay motivated and patient during these long efforts. After completing the Hardrock 100-miler, I came back to Virginia Beach to recover and relax before the AT. 
 
What pairs of Injinji socks have been your go-to picks through training and why? Which do you plan to wear during the FKT? 
The socks that I have been wearing consistently through my training are the Women's Trail Midweight Mini-Crew and Women’s Ultra Run Mini-Crew. I wear them because they are comfortable and prevent blisters on my long training days. I plan on wearing the same two styles of socks because I know they work for me and keep my feet healthy. During a long FKT such as the Appalachian Trail, it is incredibly important to keep your feet healthy. Injinji helps me make sure my feet stay blister free. 
 
What strategies do you have for keeping your feet feeling fresh during heavy-mileage days? What about days with wet weather? 
To keep my feet fresh during this AT FKT, I plan on washing and powdering my feet a couple times a day. I also want to change my socks around 3 times a day and then soak in Epsom salt and lather them in cream during the night. On wet weather days, I will need to change my socks more often to prevent hot spots and blisters. 
 
What are you looking forward to most about your experience? 
I am looking forward to spending long days and nights on the Appalachian Trail and experiencing the community again, but in a different way. I am also looking forward to the mornings. During my thru-hike in 2019, that was my favorite time of the day. Birds were calling, the temperature was perfect, and the forest was waking up. 
 
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We are so excited to see what Tara can accomplish on the Appalachian Trail and know that her Injinji socks will keep her feet happy along the way!