After Race across Scotland, I said I wouldn’t train for anything specific until something caught my eye that sparked ALL-OF-THE-FEELS. Deep down, I already knew what that race was but, I also couldn’t count on getting in, so I became hush-hush about it knowing that the possibility of me getting in was slim pickings. I’d accepted that if I wanted to keep the 2hundy endurance flow going, I’d probably need to sign up to a race that didn’t actually give me ALL-OF-THE-FEELS…
But alas, I set my alarm for 4:00AM on Wed Feb 4, changed my work schedule so I’d have access to a computer and sat watching the count down with a racing heart for 17 mins until entries officially opened Noon, UK (5:00AM Canada). As soon as the countdown zeroed out, I got straight through to the entry page, paid the fee and sure enough the next refresh was a confirmed entry telling me I was on the start line for the 2027 WINTER SPINE!
I then went back and tried to “re-enter” purely out of curiosity to see what would have happened had I not been sat on my mouse curser waiting to pounce. The result was a 340+ que of people waiting to submit their details in the hopes for a spot. HOLY FKBALLS. I’m actually in!!!!!!
I’m not quite sure if it was the days spent visualizing entering, “putting it out to the universe” aka getting the Pennine Way maps and books as Christmas gifts, non-stop chatter about how incredible this race looks, being a committed dot watcher for years on end or, simply LUCK of the draw but, I didn't have to try multiple times over multiple years to enter so whoever was looking over my shoulder or, rooting for me in their corner last Wednesday, I bloody owe you. THANKS A TONNE!
So, the SPINE huh? What is it you ask? Well, my friends let me tell you…
The SPINE is a 268-mile (430km) point-to-point ultra with approx. 10,732m of vertical gain (35,000feet). Starting in Edale, Derbyshire (UK) the route heads North following the full Pennine Way (Britain’s oldest and most iconic trail) ending in Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. The race itself is self-supported with 5 major checkpoints spread out across the distance. Self-supported means no crew, no pacers and no friends or, fam to cheer you on. Racers are allowed 1 drop bag of 20kg that’s transported by the event team along the route. If racers come across, pubs, shops and cafes it’s acceptable to gain supplies and it’s also deemed acceptable to receive aid from the kindness of locals along the way however, planned support is an absolute no-no. In addition to the drop bag, racers must carry a pack with a fair amount of mandatory gear including a sleeping mat, bivvy and sleeping bag (We ain't going to be traveling light for this one!).
To add to this beast of a race, the Pennine Way in winter is a mix of beautiful conditions! Picture snow, crusty ice, mud, sideward rain, wind, fog & peatbog that can swallow runners up to their waist (Can you see why this race gives me “All of the feels”!!!) and, despite the Pennine Way being well signed posted (Given it’s a popular long-distance hiking trail), the route will not be pin-flagged or, taped the way ultras tend to be in North America and so good ol map and compass navigation is key, especially if GPS fails. Racers have 157 hours to complete the SPINE starting Saturday Jan 10 at 8:00AM finishing on Friday Jan 16th at 8:00PM, if not before.
Although there are quite a few distances to choose from and the event is also held in Summer too, after years of dot-watching the winter Spiner's and seeing the content out there, there’s nothing that stirs up the soul quite as much as the full winter edition so, I figured if I was going all in, I was going ALL IN!
So now that the goal has been set, the entry has been gained and the fees have been paid I am SO EXCITED / a tad NERVOUS and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t questioned all of my life decisions that have brought me to sign up to something which is this INSANE. On the other hand, as lofty as this goal is, I am extremely curious to see what I am made of physically and of course mentally. I’ve been complimented in the past for my gritty mental game but, it’s about to get tested to a whole new level. This isn’t a run your heart out / leave everything out there kind of race (Well it might be for the seasoned multi-day racers) but for me, this is a race based on strategy and self management. This is a strategic process where pre-planning is a must and decisions out there in a sleep deprived state could make or break. There's a lot that will go into this race outside of simply getting myself physically fit.
I know that the grandeur of this race may make some people run from the hills, not towards them but, I hope I never become someone that lets doubt in whether that’s letting others project their fear and insecurities onto me or, by simply coming up with a million of excuses as to why its not the right time. I hope I’ll always throw myself whole heartedly into BIGGGGG Goals and get after them with as much curiosity as possible.
We’re 11 months out and I can't wait to start training with my coach, Jen Segger (Starting next week) and I'm also really excited to compile and test gear (I’ve turned into quite the gear geek in a short span of a week), gram counting is now my life! LOL. But the biggest goal is to get to the start line in good health to give this my absolute best go (Knowing I am going to endure the highest of highs and the absolute lowest of lows). There’s a famous quote out there from the poet Erin Hanson “What if you fail? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” and I couldn’t think of a quote which is as fitting for this next big one! So, if you're reading this, I hope it brings some encouragement to go after your own big goals however, that may look!
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