Why would a professional triathlete decide to take on a Fastest Known Time 5-day challenge of the Long Trail in Vermont? We had Alyssa Godesky on to talk about why she did it and to talk about the challenges she faced. As a professional triathlete and an ultra-marathon runner, Alyssa was no stranger to pain, but the pain of covering 273 miles and over 63,000 feet of elevation is something different.
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How did you get your start in athletics?
- Did not do a college sport, played soccer competitively through high school
- At Naval Academy joined Navy Marathon Team – Ran JFK 50-mile to qualify for the team
- Transferred schools and started trail running
- Moved to Baltimore after school and joined Baltimore Running Crew group
- Tried triathlons and stayed with them
- You race many triathlons and ultra races. How do you train for both of these at the same time and remain competitive?
What is the difference between Ironman and long Ultra on your body?
- Had years of base miles with ultra racing that can build on
- Ironman training is harder effort training and running more endurance easy miles
What is the difference between Ironman and long Ultra on your body?
- Early on Ironman was just finishing
- Now impact is comparable because goes hard in swim and bike
When did you get to the point about leaving your career to pursue triathlons as a professional athlete?
- 2009 started thinking about it
- Started working with Hillary Biscay in 2011
- Started getting serious about the idea in 2013
- Jan 1, 2014, officially left the job to train and coach
What did parents and friends think of leaving a good job to go after this dream?
- They were worried but supportive
Let’s talk about your latest adventure and your quest for a fastest known time on the Long Trail in Vermont. You just spent 5 days conquering the trail, before we get to the how, let’s star with they why?
- Always looking for challenges
- Was on the bucket list and wanted to get it done before the end of career
- Always fascinated with records
- 2011 became aware of the FKT’s
- Scouted pars of the trail in October and had doubts
How long is the trail?
- 273 miles plus need to hike in and out so longer
Why specifically the Long Train in Vermont?
- Out west more elevation but east coast are more rugged so wanted to do east coast
- Vermont in summer sounded good
What is the terrain like on the trail?
- Almost all single track
- No switchbacks, straight up and down mountains
- Elevation gain about 63,000 feet total
- The first two days had longer climbs
What is the key to a long effort like this, are you paying attention to heart rate, pace, just how you feel?
- How you feel
- Much of the training was hiking
- Trying to stay relaxed and upright
How much sleeping did you get?
- First day 4 hours, about 17 hours total over 5 days
Anything you did to be prepared for sleep deprivation?
- Not really much you can do
- More important to train self to sleep anywhere, anytime
What was the biggest struggle you had on this FKT?
- The last day
- Weather had made trails towards end slippery and on top of lack of sleep made it hard
Would you do another one of these again?
- Yes, this one was supported, next time maybe do a solo
You also have your own podcast, IronWomen, what types of guests and topics do you have?
- Started to give a voice to professional female triathletes and what they are doing
- Third season
The Final Surge… 5 questions in under 1 minute
Favorite endurance/running book? – Pursuit of Endurance
Current trainers you are wearing? – Brooks Ghost 3
Favorite race? – Ironman Wisconsin
Favorite recovery meal or recovery drink? – Rehab 3:1 FTC
Your favorite workout – Hill Repeats
Resources
Website: http://alyssagodesky.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssagodesky/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyssagodesky
FKT Site: FastestKnownTime.com
Podcast: IronwomenPodcast.com
