Spine North 2022 - 150 Miles in 85 hours.
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-maidment4
Be careful what you wish for.
Having competed in four previous Spine events covering the south each time, in 2019, I made a casual suggestion on the Spine Facebook page:-
In 2021 the Spine team announced a new race, the Spine Challenger North – How could I not enter having suggested it. I entered and began to prepare myself for the challenge ahead. This year would be more of a challenge: longer, more sleep deprivation, new terrain and no Recce’s done, except about two years ago a ran solo along Hadrian’s wall for a day or two out. Additionally, I need to factor in that I have been told I have Arthritis in my Right foot, right on the joint to the big toe – its fine as long as you don’t walk on it, especially uphill. I also have subtle arthritis pains in my knees and elbows.
My training for this one was very different too. Usually, I would train and build up to some big distances as the year progresses. In 2021 I set myself a goal of running at least a half marathon distance race every week of the year and compete 1000 miles in total. Both were achieved and only additional training was competing in ‘Convergence’ (May) and ‘Escape from Meridian’ (November) races covering 72 and 62 miles respectively. So really when you break it done was only 2 hours per week but consistently all year. The downside is I have since realised running the Spine Challenger North would be week 53 and as I write I am still deliberating to continue for week 54 😊
Day one – The Spine Magic
The registration process and kit checks were the previous day and followed the usually routine, but something felt different this year. It is the 10th anniversary of the Spine and has a special logo on the entrants T Shirt. There is a new vibe with the taster “Sprint” race, this the new Challenger North race and even the full Spine has an amazing field of competitors. The checkpoints have some Covid restrictions in place and masks are worn but that’s not the vibe change either. Meeting others it soon becomes apparent this is more of a ‘veterans’ race. Not in terms of age, but experience, nearly all the field have competed in previous years races or are on the waiting list for the full and this is the closest available. There is an air of balanced confidence here – confident the event can be accomplished but not arrogant to forget the races have a 50% failure rate – an air of race respect perhaps.
The race starts and immediately competitors face the climb up Great Shunner Fell, and as each step climbs with gradient, more ice and snow appear around you. Most racers conserve energy with a brisk walk here and climb up to the 716m summit. The weather is changeable between mild winds, fog, and occasional showers. As the fields spreads on the climb, I begin talking with a fellow competitor number 722. He has a plan to take it easy and be consistent, I ponder a little and with the ice decide that’s probably my best plan for today. I am very cautious of slipping, in 2010 I slipped in a small hill and snapped my right leg! Usually I run alone, to the extent my kit bag includes 4 I-pod shuffles for soul isolation and having been in four races, already know I work well alone. But this is odd, we talk away a few miles and some conversations are introductory or about the race itself, but some other parts are more polite banter. 722 is Stuart who has been out to recce most the course and has extensive military experience. He has been a DNF in the full race previously and like me, has already covered the south section so is looking at the race to ‘finish’ what we started. I let Stuart navigate most of the day but do provide comfort in agreeing and seconding route choices, even avoiding a wall climbing error made by others we passed. This does work well for us and continues long into the evening and nightfall.
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-maidment4
Be careful what you wish for.
Having competed in four previous Spine events covering the south each time, in 2019, I made a casual suggestion on the Spine Facebook page:-
In 2021 the Spine team announced a new race, the Spine Challenger North – How could I not enter having suggested it. I entered and began to prepare myself for the challenge ahead. This year would be more of a challenge: longer, more sleep deprivation, new terrain and no Recce’s done, except about two years ago a ran solo along Hadrian’s wall for a day or two out. Additionally, I need to factor in that I have been told I have Arthritis in my Right foot, right on the joint to the big toe – its fine as long as you don’t walk on it, especially uphill. I also have subtle arthritis pains in my knees and elbows.
My training for this one was very different too. Usually, I would train and build up to some big distances as the year progresses. In 2021 I set myself a goal of running at least a half marathon distance race every week of the year and compete 1000 miles in total. Both were achieved and only additional training was competing in ‘Convergence’ (May) and ‘Escape from Meridian’ (November) races covering 72 and 62 miles respectively. So really when you break it done was only 2 hours per week but consistently all year. The downside is I have since realised running the Spine Challenger North would be week 53 and as I write I am still deliberating to continue for week 54 😊
Day one – The Spine Magic
The registration process and kit checks were the previous day and followed the usually routine, but something felt different this year. It is the 10th anniversary of the Spine and has a special logo on the entrants T Shirt. There is a new vibe with the taster “Sprint” race, this the new Challenger North race and even the full Spine has an amazing field of competitors. The checkpoints have some Covid restrictions in place and masks are worn but that’s not the vibe change either. Meeting others it soon becomes apparent this is more of a ‘veterans’ race. Not in terms of age, but experience, nearly all the field have competed in previous years races or are on the waiting list for the full and this is the closest available. There is an air of balanced confidence here – confident the event can be accomplished but not arrogant to forget the races have a 50% failure rate – an air of race respect perhaps.
The race starts and immediately competitors face the climb up Great Shunner Fell, and as each step climbs with gradient, more ice and snow appear around you. Most racers conserve energy with a brisk walk here and climb up to the 716m summit. The weather is changeable between mild winds, fog, and occasional showers. As the fields spreads on the climb, I begin talking with a fellow competitor number 722. He has a plan to take it easy and be consistent, I ponder a little and with the ice decide that’s probably my best plan for today. I am very cautious of slipping, in 2010 I slipped in a small hill and snapped my right leg! Usually I run alone, to the extent my kit bag includes 4 I-pod shuffles for soul isolation and having been in four races, already know I work well alone. But this is odd, we talk away a few miles and some conversations are introductory or about the race itself, but some other parts are more polite banter. 722 is Stuart who has been out to recce most the course and has extensive military experience. He has been a DNF in the full race previously and like me, has already covered the south section so is looking at the race to ‘finish’ what we started. I let Stuart navigate most of the day but do provide comfort in agreeing and seconding route choices, even avoiding a wall climbing error made by others we passed. This does work well for us and continues long into the evening and nightfall.
Day two – Summer to Artic Winter in minutes
Leaving Middleton Checkpoint, we had spent an hour laying on a bed gaining no sleep, but the rest was appreciated. We set off along the trail – It was dark and fairly clear, no wind and sounds of crashing waterfalls and flowing rivers resonated all around. Reading about the Way, this is the best section, lots of picturesque waterfalls, High Cup Nick, Cauldron’s Snout, and adventure. What we got was just darkness and sound effects. We push on along the trail and try to look at some falls, but it is too dark – if you want to imagine what this was like, pop up to your bathroom, close your eyes and flush your toilet. That’s all we got for a few hours, but it was dry, even ‘short sleeves’ warm despite being very early hours of the day.
The way eventually progresses to the south of Widdybank fell and follows along to Cauldron’s Snout. This is a technical scramble along a traverse of rocks until the Snout, then a scramble vertical. This would be a great day out in summer, but this morning was starting to get foggy, still dark, and very icy. It was treacherous and took a lot of caution to reach the bridge below the dam. Later, when in the next checkpoint, we realised this had now been diverted for the full Spine – it turns out its dangerous in the ice!
Continuing along into Dufton fell the fog drops lower and visibility is reduced to metres, still plodding on in the white darkness, motivation gets more difficult, and we both keep moving forward but getting quieter. The climb and terrain doesn’t change, for what feels like days. Eventually Stuart suggests we don’t walk any further. Probably a good suggestion – we were stood inches from the cliff edge of High Cup Nick and visibility was only about a metre now. We combine his GPS and my breadcrumb watch tracker to scramble our way around the edge and to safety. High Cup Nick is recorded as a beautiful hill with amazing views and appears top in Julie Bradbury’s best British walks – We’ll just have to take her word for that.
On into Dufton and tiredness taking its toll now we arrive at the village hall and get refreshed a little (30 min limit at a mini checkpoint) and agree to head back to the village for a sleep. We were told the ladies toilets have heating but it felt wrong to enter so we sat in the freezing luxury of the gents. Stuart did suggest the bus shelter and with hindsight may have been actually warmer. We closed our eyes and two disturbances and 20 minutes later, simply looked at each other, no words spoken but somehow said “that’s enough, let’s go”. We may have slept for a total 10 mins since starting now!
We got up and began our trek up Knock Fell, a trek someone had told us is about 2 hours to Greg’s Hut – well hours out here definitely behave very differently. We climbed with the sun on our backs and climbed and climbed, before climbing some more. That was a long drag but we reached the top and views were amazing all around. In the distance you could see the two Dunn fells, cheekily smiling at us with glimmers of snow on the ground. As we started to drop into the track (Bog) to meet the road to Great Dunn Fell, the weather, the day, the world changed in an instant. From Sunshine and green (albeit Boggy) ground to snow, ice, winds of 50+mph and fog dropping in to demonstrate -10 windchills to us. We have just walked from a pretty Dale into the artic! Just before the climb to Great Dunn Fell, I layered up (5 tops, 2 bottoms, two buffs, hat, mittens, and Eye goggles), all helped almost keep me warm. I had heard of a giant golf ball looking radar station up there and even seen it from Dufton so was looking forward to seeing it, even attempting a selfie. Once we battled to the summit, we reached its perimeter fence and the golf balls were gone, hidden by the fog.
Another great view ticked off. We battled on between semi frozen bogs, icy Pennine slabs, and snow drifts. Footstep after footstep of precarious, high-risk terrain. We know Greg’s hut is along here and will be a welcome break but, in the fog and wind it is an expedition to reach, we even imagine seeing it, a clear view of an angle snow covered roof top, both agreeing, only for it to disappear before us. We do eventually make it and gain our reward of chilli noodles and a cuppa before heading out into the dusk fall of another evening.
Leaving Middleton Checkpoint, we had spent an hour laying on a bed gaining no sleep, but the rest was appreciated. We set off along the trail – It was dark and fairly clear, no wind and sounds of crashing waterfalls and flowing rivers resonated all around. Reading about the Way, this is the best section, lots of picturesque waterfalls, High Cup Nick, Cauldron’s Snout, and adventure. What we got was just darkness and sound effects. We push on along the trail and try to look at some falls, but it is too dark – if you want to imagine what this was like, pop up to your bathroom, close your eyes and flush your toilet. That’s all we got for a few hours, but it was dry, even ‘short sleeves’ warm despite being very early hours of the day.
The way eventually progresses to the south of Widdybank fell and follows along to Cauldron’s Snout. This is a technical scramble along a traverse of rocks until the Snout, then a scramble vertical. This would be a great day out in summer, but this morning was starting to get foggy, still dark, and very icy. It was treacherous and took a lot of caution to reach the bridge below the dam. Later, when in the next checkpoint, we realised this had now been diverted for the full Spine – it turns out its dangerous in the ice!
Continuing along into Dufton fell the fog drops lower and visibility is reduced to metres, still plodding on in the white darkness, motivation gets more difficult, and we both keep moving forward but getting quieter. The climb and terrain doesn’t change, for what feels like days. Eventually Stuart suggests we don’t walk any further. Probably a good suggestion – we were stood inches from the cliff edge of High Cup Nick and visibility was only about a metre now. We combine his GPS and my breadcrumb watch tracker to scramble our way around the edge and to safety. High Cup Nick is recorded as a beautiful hill with amazing views and appears top in Julie Bradbury’s best British walks – We’ll just have to take her word for that.
On into Dufton and tiredness taking its toll now we arrive at the village hall and get refreshed a little (30 min limit at a mini checkpoint) and agree to head back to the village for a sleep. We were told the ladies toilets have heating but it felt wrong to enter so we sat in the freezing luxury of the gents. Stuart did suggest the bus shelter and with hindsight may have been actually warmer. We closed our eyes and two disturbances and 20 minutes later, simply looked at each other, no words spoken but somehow said “that’s enough, let’s go”. We may have slept for a total 10 mins since starting now!
We got up and began our trek up Knock Fell, a trek someone had told us is about 2 hours to Greg’s Hut – well hours out here definitely behave very differently. We climbed with the sun on our backs and climbed and climbed, before climbing some more. That was a long drag but we reached the top and views were amazing all around. In the distance you could see the two Dunn fells, cheekily smiling at us with glimmers of snow on the ground. As we started to drop into the track (Bog) to meet the road to Great Dunn Fell, the weather, the day, the world changed in an instant. From Sunshine and green (albeit Boggy) ground to snow, ice, winds of 50+mph and fog dropping in to demonstrate -10 windchills to us. We have just walked from a pretty Dale into the artic! Just before the climb to Great Dunn Fell, I layered up (5 tops, 2 bottoms, two buffs, hat, mittens, and Eye goggles), all helped almost keep me warm. I had heard of a giant golf ball looking radar station up there and even seen it from Dufton so was looking forward to seeing it, even attempting a selfie. Once we battled to the summit, we reached its perimeter fence and the golf balls were gone, hidden by the fog.
Another great view ticked off. We battled on between semi frozen bogs, icy Pennine slabs, and snow drifts. Footstep after footstep of precarious, high-risk terrain. We know Greg’s hut is along here and will be a welcome break but, in the fog and wind it is an expedition to reach, we even imagine seeing it, a clear view of an angle snow covered roof top, both agreeing, only for it to disappear before us. We do eventually make it and gain our reward of chilli noodles and a cuppa before heading out into the dusk fall of another evening.
Day three – Hadrian’s wall and a battle of muddy torture
We leave Alston and head out into the early hours having successfully gained about 2 to 3 hours sleep. Well, I got 3, Stuart set his alarm too early in error and took 2 – I think he just likes having medics play with his feet while waiting (but they are good at what they do). We traverse along Whitley common, Heatleyburn Common and lots of other commons. Only thing they all have in common, is they are all wet and boggy with bonus bogs thrown in. In case that doesn’t sound clear, they are consistently underwater, deep mud and morale sapping to cross, although every so often they do have slabs or duck boards to help you cross but always culminate with a deeper bog after to pressure test you. We both dip a little here but keep energy up eating, trying to chat and checking messages from home. It takes until around 2pm to feel any heat of the sun but it is welcome after rain, snow, fog and wind of previous days. We even stop at one point and just listen – complete silence all around, no traffic, no wind – it was quite remarkable.
As we approach Greenhead, the sun is starting to warm up and the trek along the ‘Wall’ is quite stunning. It’s tough but views and scenery are the first and probably only good views we’ll get this week. In the visitor car park, some Spine volunteers provide some good conversation and hot water for lunch before we continue.
We leave Alston and head out into the early hours having successfully gained about 2 to 3 hours sleep. Well, I got 3, Stuart set his alarm too early in error and took 2 – I think he just likes having medics play with his feet while waiting (but they are good at what they do). We traverse along Whitley common, Heatleyburn Common and lots of other commons. Only thing they all have in common, is they are all wet and boggy with bonus bogs thrown in. In case that doesn’t sound clear, they are consistently underwater, deep mud and morale sapping to cross, although every so often they do have slabs or duck boards to help you cross but always culminate with a deeper bog after to pressure test you. We both dip a little here but keep energy up eating, trying to chat and checking messages from home. It takes until around 2pm to feel any heat of the sun but it is welcome after rain, snow, fog and wind of previous days. We even stop at one point and just listen – complete silence all around, no traffic, no wind – it was quite remarkable.
As we approach Greenhead, the sun is starting to warm up and the trek along the ‘Wall’ is quite stunning. It’s tough but views and scenery are the first and probably only good views we’ll get this week. In the visitor car park, some Spine volunteers provide some good conversation and hot water for lunch before we continue.
Now, here’s a thing. A lot of Stuarts and my conversations have been very thought provoking. Today we discuss, how long is an ultra – can it be just 26.3 miles.
What defines an ultra-runner?
The questions continue and we debate. I won’t share the answers, you can consider them for yourselves, but the discussion progresses to what is the difference between a runner and a jogger?
I suggest anyone running, calls themselves a runner, but anyone seeing a runner, sees a jogger. It’s a well-known fact, runners don’t want anyone to ask how their ‘jog’ went! Shortly afterwards, a man comes into view, coming off the top of a viewpoint hill and dropping down towards us, floating over rocks and gliding down towards us with no effort. I jokingly say to Stuart it must be a jogger. A few moments later the man’s T-Shirt corrects me. The T Shirt is grey, worn and well used, clearly belonging to a time served runner, written on the breast are three words commanding respect and for my comment to be retracted “Dragons Back 2019”. I instantly apologise (although he probably doesn’t know why” and we chat with him. He has an air or experience and a manor of positiveness that would be akin to Bear Grylls. He knows the Spine race well and the Pennine way. He talks about Damian Hall who is catching up behind us (even though we have a 108-mile head start), wishes us luck and asks us to tell Damian he says hi. He then carries on his run and is up the next climb in an instant, like magic. I ponder for a moment and say to Stuart, I bet he appears in Damian’s recent book, probably around Chapter 13. Once the race in finished we discover it was Tim Laney and yes, he did support and is a good friend of Damian Hall appearing in Chapter 16 – I was close. I will never prejudge again even in jest; Tim even finished the full Spine in 2015 in 6th place. If you read this, it was great to meet you and your positive vibe helped us both keep moving forward. Thank you.
We continue our humbling journey along the wall for hours longer. I did have to break some bad news to Stuart. A detour of 3.5 miles had been added – which he knew. That’s not too bad but he hadn’t considered the 3.5miles is added, not instead of, the previous route so we still have about 15 miles to the next checkpoint. We agree the path is going to be long and dull so agree to lift the pace and I push on pacing - squeezing an extra mile into the each of the next two hours to reach the diversion. I pushed hard and it did cause some additional foot pain for Stuart, so apologise, but it did save hours of that long dragging boring track.
Diversions can be expected but this one was carefully selected by the organisers. You turn into the bridle way and head north, sounds straight forward. But the Spine team chose this – Its muddy. Not a few inches of muddy either but, over ankle deep mud and continues for around three miles. I truly believe once the Spine team found it, they called for water and slurry to be added to the route as a generous bonus. To make it worse for some competitors, they hadn’t really plotted it on the GPX files so those following the line would often be off track in deeper mud. Midway up the track was a bridge to cross the river. Sounds great, but the puddles reaching the bridge were probably deeper that the rivers itself – Madame Pennine knows how to treat people.
Here we do find a fellow competitor. He has suffered an injury from a fall and has sever back pain. Amazingly he did this before checkpoint one and has made it all this way. Stuart does the dutiful thing of offering to carry his pack, call HQ and offer food or medical support if we can. He declines but is thankful for the simple support of company and navigation. He is moving slowly but with sheer determination – motivation that pushes him on but determination that only allows for forward drive – so hitting every obstacle, puddles, and mud pools head on. Part of me thinks he should have retired earlier but as I talk to him to help take his mind off the pain, he is clearly experienced and has dealt with the problem in previous international races. The other part of me is amazed how he can continue and still has some reasonable pace. We do slow and the next two miles take almost an hour each, but we eventually reach the amazing sanctuary of Horneystead farm at around 1am. The lady that owns it (Helen) has set up a tuck shop and rest area for Pennine Way walkers and likes to support the Spine race. She had refreshments and even hot soup (thank you), Stuart left a donation and she even expresses that she will pass this to mountain rescue – some people are just amazing (it was 1.30 am after all). Once recharged we agree to swap our new colleague here to rest and will let HQ know once we reach Bellingham. We now have a new racer with us (Lawrence) who was resting at Horneystead when we arrived, and this gives us some new conversation into the night and off to Bellingham check point.
My last curious question for today was how long do you leave it to give someone tips on using equipment if not using correctly? While crossing Hadrian’s wall I deliberated this one. Day three felt too late but I did explain the purpose of the hand loops in walking sticks for taking pressure off the hands and to point sticks forward when carrying to prevent spearing those behind. I think they should have been offered sooner 😊
What defines an ultra-runner?
- Do they have to run, not walk, all of the race?
- Do they have to run just one ultra?
- Do they have to have completed an Ultra in the last 12 months?
- Do they just complete one Ultra in their lifetime?
The questions continue and we debate. I won’t share the answers, you can consider them for yourselves, but the discussion progresses to what is the difference between a runner and a jogger?
I suggest anyone running, calls themselves a runner, but anyone seeing a runner, sees a jogger. It’s a well-known fact, runners don’t want anyone to ask how their ‘jog’ went! Shortly afterwards, a man comes into view, coming off the top of a viewpoint hill and dropping down towards us, floating over rocks and gliding down towards us with no effort. I jokingly say to Stuart it must be a jogger. A few moments later the man’s T-Shirt corrects me. The T Shirt is grey, worn and well used, clearly belonging to a time served runner, written on the breast are three words commanding respect and for my comment to be retracted “Dragons Back 2019”. I instantly apologise (although he probably doesn’t know why” and we chat with him. He has an air or experience and a manor of positiveness that would be akin to Bear Grylls. He knows the Spine race well and the Pennine way. He talks about Damian Hall who is catching up behind us (even though we have a 108-mile head start), wishes us luck and asks us to tell Damian he says hi. He then carries on his run and is up the next climb in an instant, like magic. I ponder for a moment and say to Stuart, I bet he appears in Damian’s recent book, probably around Chapter 13. Once the race in finished we discover it was Tim Laney and yes, he did support and is a good friend of Damian Hall appearing in Chapter 16 – I was close. I will never prejudge again even in jest; Tim even finished the full Spine in 2015 in 6th place. If you read this, it was great to meet you and your positive vibe helped us both keep moving forward. Thank you.
We continue our humbling journey along the wall for hours longer. I did have to break some bad news to Stuart. A detour of 3.5 miles had been added – which he knew. That’s not too bad but he hadn’t considered the 3.5miles is added, not instead of, the previous route so we still have about 15 miles to the next checkpoint. We agree the path is going to be long and dull so agree to lift the pace and I push on pacing - squeezing an extra mile into the each of the next two hours to reach the diversion. I pushed hard and it did cause some additional foot pain for Stuart, so apologise, but it did save hours of that long dragging boring track.
Diversions can be expected but this one was carefully selected by the organisers. You turn into the bridle way and head north, sounds straight forward. But the Spine team chose this – Its muddy. Not a few inches of muddy either but, over ankle deep mud and continues for around three miles. I truly believe once the Spine team found it, they called for water and slurry to be added to the route as a generous bonus. To make it worse for some competitors, they hadn’t really plotted it on the GPX files so those following the line would often be off track in deeper mud. Midway up the track was a bridge to cross the river. Sounds great, but the puddles reaching the bridge were probably deeper that the rivers itself – Madame Pennine knows how to treat people.
Here we do find a fellow competitor. He has suffered an injury from a fall and has sever back pain. Amazingly he did this before checkpoint one and has made it all this way. Stuart does the dutiful thing of offering to carry his pack, call HQ and offer food or medical support if we can. He declines but is thankful for the simple support of company and navigation. He is moving slowly but with sheer determination – motivation that pushes him on but determination that only allows for forward drive – so hitting every obstacle, puddles, and mud pools head on. Part of me thinks he should have retired earlier but as I talk to him to help take his mind off the pain, he is clearly experienced and has dealt with the problem in previous international races. The other part of me is amazed how he can continue and still has some reasonable pace. We do slow and the next two miles take almost an hour each, but we eventually reach the amazing sanctuary of Horneystead farm at around 1am. The lady that owns it (Helen) has set up a tuck shop and rest area for Pennine Way walkers and likes to support the Spine race. She had refreshments and even hot soup (thank you), Stuart left a donation and she even expresses that she will pass this to mountain rescue – some people are just amazing (it was 1.30 am after all). Once recharged we agree to swap our new colleague here to rest and will let HQ know once we reach Bellingham. We now have a new racer with us (Lawrence) who was resting at Horneystead when we arrived, and this gives us some new conversation into the night and off to Bellingham check point.
My last curious question for today was how long do you leave it to give someone tips on using equipment if not using correctly? While crossing Hadrian’s wall I deliberated this one. Day three felt too late but I did explain the purpose of the hand loops in walking sticks for taking pressure off the hands and to point sticks forward when carrying to prevent spearing those behind. I think they should have been offered sooner 😊
Day four
The final day. The day we have ignored and considered as a ‘if you get here you will finish’ day. Well, that may be a positive statement! but you still have a marathon to cover. People panic at a park run and we are disrespecting a marathon, but, and only in the Spine does this become acceptable, it is a short day and we ‘will’ preserver no matter what. I decide its now time for a shoe change, my arthritic toe isn’t comfortable in the Scott Ultra RC’s but they have fab grip, so change to Hoka Speedgoats. (For those interested the Scott’s were amazing, fabulous grip and no slipping in mud when other struggled, not so good on Pennine slabs. The Speedgoats have increased cushioning and will slip in muddier terrain (so finally took my walking poles out today) but do have amazing grip on the slabs).
We wait around for a fellow competitor to join us in a high-speed car chase. He had been in the checkpoint for 8 hours which is the max allowed so was being evicted from the big brother house and still had plenty of ‘faffing’ to complete. The next section of the course had been destroyed by Storm Arwin and trees were fallen everywhere and felled with roots intact. The forestry commission had prevented access, so the Spine team provided a shuttle service to avoid this section. A bonus to make up for yesterday’s bog march perhaps. Now the driver, when asked, said the time for the diversion journey depends on if you can handle to journey, the G-forces and the travel sickness. He wasn’t kidding, this guy can make a people carrier shift. Two wheels on corners wouldn’t have surprised me. We arrive and share thanks before leaving Byrness to start the final leg.
The day starts rather pleasant, but the wind is forecast to get stronger and slowly build as we climb up again, although I still find ‘no parking’ signs up on the hills rather odd but this is the Otterburn training ground I suppose. Nothing really happens today, we just plod and plod and plod and plod, well you get the idea. My right knee finally reminds me of the arthritic diagnosis last year and really starts to ache with discomfort – not pain as such, but energy sapping, motivation killing dullness so reliance on the walking poles and pain killers begins. Stuart talks of completing the ‘Cheviot’ Peak and I do consider it – I think if he knew me better would have been able to persuade me but at the next shelter of ‘hut 1’ the other competitor we travelled with explains this is his plan and Stuart misses the opportunity to convince me – I think we both were now just wanting to make the finish now.
We progress on, winds build and comes and goes, Cheviot Goats appear to meet and great us a few times too. At hut 2 we discuss the final leg and tiredness is growing. The route to Kirk Yetholm can be two to six hours still. We contact our family meeting us and suggest a couple of hours, only to change to three hours a few moments of realisation later. Stuart suggests four, to which my reply is a tongue biting – ‘if its four I am running now’! My first grumpy outburst (albeit controlled). I was getting a little worn down by the leg pain and wanted to get off my feet. I even took a short blast to beat my self up. I stormed up the previous climb, singing - which soon became shouting, to then become pure aggression – forcing every bit of my focus directly at the pain in my knee and foot. My heart pumping hard, using my breathing like a powerhouse steam engine driving up the pathway, almost sprinting up the incline, ploughing through any mud, troughs, and terrain. At the summit I waited for Stuart and did apologise. He too has had ‘moments’ with himself of this journey. I take painkillers and proceed.
The trek does take us the three hours and passes various additional obstacles, the Pennine way just likes to keep giving. Even the stability of a tarmac road has a steep incline. We agree to jog for the finish and eventually see the town, the flags of the finish and the Border Hotel.
A journey starting 160 miles away in England, climbing Great Shunner Fell to make two stranger become one and work together, pulling each other’s strengths and supporting when needed to reach the final checkpoint in Scotland. The Spine race delivers again and delivers magic.
The final day. The day we have ignored and considered as a ‘if you get here you will finish’ day. Well, that may be a positive statement! but you still have a marathon to cover. People panic at a park run and we are disrespecting a marathon, but, and only in the Spine does this become acceptable, it is a short day and we ‘will’ preserver no matter what. I decide its now time for a shoe change, my arthritic toe isn’t comfortable in the Scott Ultra RC’s but they have fab grip, so change to Hoka Speedgoats. (For those interested the Scott’s were amazing, fabulous grip and no slipping in mud when other struggled, not so good on Pennine slabs. The Speedgoats have increased cushioning and will slip in muddier terrain (so finally took my walking poles out today) but do have amazing grip on the slabs).
We wait around for a fellow competitor to join us in a high-speed car chase. He had been in the checkpoint for 8 hours which is the max allowed so was being evicted from the big brother house and still had plenty of ‘faffing’ to complete. The next section of the course had been destroyed by Storm Arwin and trees were fallen everywhere and felled with roots intact. The forestry commission had prevented access, so the Spine team provided a shuttle service to avoid this section. A bonus to make up for yesterday’s bog march perhaps. Now the driver, when asked, said the time for the diversion journey depends on if you can handle to journey, the G-forces and the travel sickness. He wasn’t kidding, this guy can make a people carrier shift. Two wheels on corners wouldn’t have surprised me. We arrive and share thanks before leaving Byrness to start the final leg.
The day starts rather pleasant, but the wind is forecast to get stronger and slowly build as we climb up again, although I still find ‘no parking’ signs up on the hills rather odd but this is the Otterburn training ground I suppose. Nothing really happens today, we just plod and plod and plod and plod, well you get the idea. My right knee finally reminds me of the arthritic diagnosis last year and really starts to ache with discomfort – not pain as such, but energy sapping, motivation killing dullness so reliance on the walking poles and pain killers begins. Stuart talks of completing the ‘Cheviot’ Peak and I do consider it – I think if he knew me better would have been able to persuade me but at the next shelter of ‘hut 1’ the other competitor we travelled with explains this is his plan and Stuart misses the opportunity to convince me – I think we both were now just wanting to make the finish now.
We progress on, winds build and comes and goes, Cheviot Goats appear to meet and great us a few times too. At hut 2 we discuss the final leg and tiredness is growing. The route to Kirk Yetholm can be two to six hours still. We contact our family meeting us and suggest a couple of hours, only to change to three hours a few moments of realisation later. Stuart suggests four, to which my reply is a tongue biting – ‘if its four I am running now’! My first grumpy outburst (albeit controlled). I was getting a little worn down by the leg pain and wanted to get off my feet. I even took a short blast to beat my self up. I stormed up the previous climb, singing - which soon became shouting, to then become pure aggression – forcing every bit of my focus directly at the pain in my knee and foot. My heart pumping hard, using my breathing like a powerhouse steam engine driving up the pathway, almost sprinting up the incline, ploughing through any mud, troughs, and terrain. At the summit I waited for Stuart and did apologise. He too has had ‘moments’ with himself of this journey. I take painkillers and proceed.
The trek does take us the three hours and passes various additional obstacles, the Pennine way just likes to keep giving. Even the stability of a tarmac road has a steep incline. We agree to jog for the finish and eventually see the town, the flags of the finish and the Border Hotel.
A journey starting 160 miles away in England, climbing Great Shunner Fell to make two stranger become one and work together, pulling each other’s strengths and supporting when needed to reach the final checkpoint in Scotland. The Spine race delivers again and delivers magic.
Thank you
I would like to extend thanks to my journey partner Stuart Lansdowne. Never met before but we worked together, shared stories and emotions to achieve a huge objective.
Organisers for setting up the mind boggling event in the first place - it is true, adventures can be had on your doorstep.
The volunteers, food, transport, baggage transfers, medics and everyone else from Spine HQ angels watching over us to the person cleaning the rooms after we leave - thank you.
To the people we pass and share stories with, from the general public to the returning Pennine supporters and locals.
Thank you to all the dot watchers - the comments help, and too all those that supported me in sponsorship. Also thanks to those that supported Stuart - it all helped.
Thank you to Emma, supporting Stuart and to Maria for supporting me. The partners do get a tough deal here and really do have to go the extra mile to support us in our hobbies and challenges.
I am sure I missed some here, but also thanks to the other Northern competitors - together we make the atmosphere and you are all truly amazing in this almost out of body experience. Thank you for being positive throughout.
For those that didn't finish..... I was fully prepared to DNF if needed - this race demands that respect - learn, grow and develop stronger but don't be hard on yourself, this is why we do it. Making the start line is amazing in itself.
I would like to extend thanks to my journey partner Stuart Lansdowne. Never met before but we worked together, shared stories and emotions to achieve a huge objective.
Organisers for setting up the mind boggling event in the first place - it is true, adventures can be had on your doorstep.
The volunteers, food, transport, baggage transfers, medics and everyone else from Spine HQ angels watching over us to the person cleaning the rooms after we leave - thank you.
To the people we pass and share stories with, from the general public to the returning Pennine supporters and locals.
Thank you to all the dot watchers - the comments help, and too all those that supported me in sponsorship. Also thanks to those that supported Stuart - it all helped.
Thank you to Emma, supporting Stuart and to Maria for supporting me. The partners do get a tough deal here and really do have to go the extra mile to support us in our hobbies and challenges.
I am sure I missed some here, but also thanks to the other Northern competitors - together we make the atmosphere and you are all truly amazing in this almost out of body experience. Thank you for being positive throughout.
For those that didn't finish..... I was fully prepared to DNF if needed - this race demands that respect - learn, grow and develop stronger but don't be hard on yourself, this is why we do it. Making the start line is amazing in itself.