This is not the most important VT Beast post you’ll ever read (but I have linked to it).
Here we go again.
For the past few years, I’ve lined up at the foot of Killington and started the VT Beast. Each year, I’ve finished it – progressively longer and longer times spent on the mountain as HQ has ramped up the distance travelled and the relative difficultly of the obstacles.
A couple of years back, I wrote a post that sums up the entire pre-Killington experience – it basically boils down to “don’t panic” Go read it. It’s an important post that resonated with many. Maybe the most important VT Beast post you’ll ever read.
So, I’ll re-iterate.
Don’t. Panic.
Killington is a big mountain, but in 2015, it won’t be the hardest event Spartan put on (for the mainstream, that is) – but it very well could be the hardest thing you do this year.
Don’t. Panic.
There are considerations you need to have for this race – things you don’t need to worry about for a shorter event, or even another Beast distance event, but still, most people over think these way too much.
- Bring a headlamp, even if you don’t think you need it.
- Bring hydration, even if you don’t think you need it.
- Ensure you run in a team wave, and relax in the biggest team tent.
- Hydrate all f*cking week.
- Eat well.
- Pack nutrition.
- The New England Spahtens is an amazing community – meet people, make friends on and off the course.
Also – Don’t. Panic.
Wear the same things you would wear to a regular OCR. Technical fabrics, compression fit. There will be spots that you find yourself far too hot, and spots you’re shivering.
Wear the same shoes that got you this far. It’s too late to change them, anyway.
Pack some food – whatever gets you calories, and sits well in your stomach. Don’t over think it.
Fill your pack with water – boring, plain, free water. Don’t over think it.
The mountain is steep. The event is long. The obstacles are challenging. Isn’t that why we’re all here in the first place? Don’t forget that.
Don’t panic. You’ve got this.
