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Has anyone done this in the past (or is intending to do it this October)?
Booked my accommodation & flights and about to enter online. Did some trail running from the Arona region last week and thought I'd give this a whirl in October (although not the 101K route). Be interested in some feedback if anyone has had a crack at it before......
Hi Ady, how's it going for this did you learn anything about this one (beyond website info)? Interested in this one for 2015 or another year. I've been up to the high plateau of Teide NP in Tenerife before and its a strange and captivating place. And the idea of running across the island, predominantly to reach one very high point and then descend back to sea-level sounds like it could be a really gratifying and somewhat different to most multi-peak challenge ultra's.
Thought I'd bump this thread and see if anyone has any experience of this race?
I've been looking at it as a potential trip for next June.
61 miles and 21000ft for the long race, so a bit of a step up from the 10 Peaks stats-wise (45 miles and 18000ft).
But suspect the fact that the majority of the climb is all in the first half, up to mount Teide, then a constant descent back down to sea level, coupled with the heat and sun, would make this a very tough proposition. The final 4800ft or so of climb being concentrated in a mere 10km according to the route profile...!
it's the "coupled with the heat and sun" bit that would make me wary.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Having ran/cycled/been up mountains in the Canaries before, I'm pretty well aware of the heat and sun, and whilst a concern, it wouldn't necessarily be a showstopper for me.
I think of slightly more concern is the altitude... 3550m is the highest point on the race. There's only 15km or so which is above 2500m, so perhaps 2-3 hours, but that's climbing steeply and then a hectic descent, I wonder if this distance/height/time-span is enough for the altitude to become a big factor...?
I must admit that having mulled this one over at the weekend I'm very keen...
In a fit of unbridled passion/optimism/stupidity, I've entered this for June 2019.
Certainly capable of managing the distance and climb. But the additional factors of a midnight start, heat, sun, altitude, make this look like a fantastic challenge.
Looking to turn it into a bit of a holiday as well and spend some time exploring the beautiful north of the island.
Looks a serious beast...good luck!
Practical tip: my experience of the logistics of Canary Island ultras has led me to the discovery that it's worth looking at different budget airlines for flights. Typically they arrange their pricing structure so that you can pick up one cheap flight but are forced to pay more for the other one. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can get a cheapie outbound flight with one airline and a cheapie return flight with a different one. You might know that anyway, but I didn't and was delighted to save over £100!
Thanks for the advice Tussockface... but yes I'm fairly familiar with the intricacies of various travel plans!
In fact on this occasion a scheduled flight with BA is looking the best value in terms of flying times, flexibility and price.
That's another good tip: don't overlook the obvious carrier!
Booked up accommodation now... staying in Puerto de la Cruz which is the finish of the race, and looks the nicest (of a pretty bad bunch) of resorts on the island, and a great base to explore the beautiful looking north of the island.
Heading out on the Tuesday, race starts around midnight on the Friday night, then stopping over until the Wednesday.
Have had various helpful offers of advice regarding acclimatising and altitude.... ranging from fellrunner advice "you're fit enough, just turn up and you'll be up and down out of the altitude before it effects you.... right up to advice from a clubmate and University Sports Science lecturer, and a fairly serious xc/roadrunner "go out two weeks before and fully acclimatise to altitude, oh and by the way can you get hold of an Oxygen Tent...!"
Think the approach of winging it is more appealing, although all being well i'll have done some hefty long runs in the build-up.
Currently trying not to worry about the prospect of doing the Welsh 1000m the week before, and already being booked on the Lakes 5 Passes Ultra the week after.
Got my doctor's appointment tonight, to hopefully get the medical certificate signed.
Not quite sure how i'm going to explain to someone who may never have heard of ultra or fell-running, that running 60 miles over a volcano, in the heat of the Canaries, potential altitude issues, and starting at midnight... is a quite sane thing to do.
All i can do is point to the other entry-criteria and past race experience.
He might section you Travs!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
:D
I told him that it was a strange one, and he said "I've heard everything so I highly doubt anything you say will be strange..."
I uttered the words "ultra-marathon" and "up to and including 100 miles..." and his face dropped and he said "yes that is a bit strange..."!
I didn't dare mention the amount of climbing or altitude involved, for fear of him not signing it. But he did, and it didn't cost me anything, so i made a hasty exit before he had time to reconsider. All systems go now...
Didn't cost you anything! Are you sure he was a GP?
I did ask him straight out if there was a fee. His reply was that he was entitled to charge a fee, but he didn't see why he should.
Top man...
Perhaps he fancied you!
Take a look at this video. It's from someone who did the Transvulcania on La Palma. He's a pretty strong guy, but it was the descents that caused the problems, as well as sore feet (hard pack and rocks all the way). Very emotional finish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=due7H5tPnOg
I'm on a bit of a Canaries buzz at the moment. I did the Transgrancanaria (marathon distance) a week and a half ago and have the Transvulcania coming up in May. This is unfinished business for me as I was forced to miss it last year due to injury (although I still went out to La Palma and sussed out the logistics).
I totally agree about the descents: brutal, extreme, rocky, technical and never-ending. If the Bluetrail is similar, my recommendation would be to wear shoes with rock plates and cushioning as well as thick merino socks, and gaiters to keep out dust, rock and lava.
If you think the spectators are calling you an animal, it's more likely that they're yelling "Animo!"
Fantastic fun!!!
Scanned the video, although I will watch it in full when I get the chance.
Re shoes, planning to wear Hoka Speedgoats. Plenty of cushioning. I think the unique issue of the Bluetrail (which I believe may be a bit different to the other Canaries races), is that it's effectively one huge ascent, followed by one huge descent.
Goats should be fine.
Enjoy!
Doubling as five word post(s)
I was planning on doing the Transvulcania last year, but the months leading up to it I was developing a problem with one knee, particularly descending, and having seen the previously posted video I decided not to enter otherwise I could do some serious damage. As it turned out, my knee problem got worse and sidelined me for most of last year. I started getting mobile again six months ago, and started using trekking poles, and they are amazing. So efficient at covering distance, up and down, and taking lots of stress off the legs and keeping them fresh for much longer. For something like the Canarian events, I'd say they would prove very useful.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tussockface
Definitely. It's not as a fashion statement that most of the runners carry poles.
I'd have taken them to Gran Canaria if I hadn't been such a cheapskate and gone just with hand luggage. I'm paying for a suitcase for the Transvulcania so the poles are coming!