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!!!