That first lap went by pretty fast, and most people seemed pretty chipper -giddy even - to be grinding out massive climbs in the ferocious weather, followed by even more grin inducing descents on switchbacks and drops mixed with the open grass and gravel fields of the ski runs. One of the cool features of the course is the visibility of runners on adjacent climbs and descents that allow encouragement to someone five or ten minutes ahead of, or behind you.
If I think back about a decade, I recall a couple of my "friends" suggested some hill repeats on this very same piece of real estate following our couple hours of running on the hostel trails on the facing side of the valley. After the second climb I found the only way down was backwards because my quads were thrashed into wobbly jello sticks. If you have never run steep hills up or down, you really should try it someday.
One of the memorable aspects of the race was running with Colin and the ferocious pace he threw down on the tortuous t-bar climb, and for that matter all of the climbs. Keeping up the tradition of late night party pre-runs of the course, he already had a lap under his belt from twelve hours previous. Both of us agreed just before I stopped for a Coke, and he for a dry shirt and shell that maybe we went out a bit to quickly on lap one.
The fog had lifted, the rain had subsided, and the autumn shades of Wentworth Valley were now visible and awe inspiring.
Lap two began with difficulty. The less steep formerly runnable sections were now changed to "thinking about running it". That carefree descent on the seemingly soft dirt of the GUT trail ,chasing one another like squirrels through the woods for a quarter of an hour, took its toll on valuable and still much needed quads. There was now a lot more standing water on the first quarter of the course after the rain. Feet were suctioned into chilly water. Pre-cramping twitches were starting to appear in calves, and thighs. Gels, hydration tablets and more gels. That neutral split was quickly vanishing as more walking on the steep "runnable" sections became questionable. But the views! Every ascent returned the favour with a gorgeous view of the valley hardwoods glistening and eye popping colours as you winded your way across the ski runs and into yet more grin giving single-track loaded with berms and bridges.
No negative split, no neutral split, but thirty minutes longer to finish the second lap. Despite having the latest wrist computer gadgetry on hand, apparently I was lacking the mental faculties to accurately do the trail math. Eleven minute kilometre pace. Heart rate at 160 rpm while your gps says 0 km/h. Somehow it all adds up.
This event is the most everything. The most elevation, the most fun trails, and the most challenging. And the most fun trail run I have run. And the best volunteers. These people are like the epo of volunteers - giving a boost when you really need it! They made my day, my week, probably the rest of the year! When you put your toes on the start line at Beat to Snot, you are about to witness perseverance in yourself, and in your co-competitors that is rarely witnessed and not soon forgotten. Congratulations to everyone! I hope to see you all there again next year!
