2025 Spine

Northern Race

 

After the 2024 full Spine I knew I didn't want to do that race again. I had always thought that I would be able to enjoy the Northern half which is my sort of terrain, after completing the 108 miles to Hawes. What happens in reality is that you're too sleep deprived and have physical issues and pain either by Hawes, or soon afterwards which take up all your concentration and enjoyment generally is in short supply. It also took me three months to recover from the Spine. There were just weird foot and then knee issues that emerged and wouldn't go away. I debated with doing the Northern Spine for a while and then made my mind up after I had supported on the Summer Spine and talked to the Spine crew.

Once I entered, I also decided that unlike 2024 where I changed my training to concentrate more on flatter. forest road type training to emulate the Spine, I wouldn't change anything and would continue to go to the mountains as much as possible as I really enjoy them and didn't want to lose my climbing strength which I had in 2024. I entered the Skyraces and did the Scottish Championships and Scottish Classic races. I didn't recce at all so apart from being on the route during the Spine supporting, I hadn't been back since January 2024. All this made it more interesting to go back, although in hindsight I did forget just how long everything goes on for and as Joe said "every section just overdoses on itself".

My pre-race logistics were better than 2024 and after slithering our way down the five miles of track and road to escape Pinwherry which was a bit hairy, I then dropped my van at Kirk Yetholm . Then Steve drove me (and the dogs) to Hardraw on the Sunday. We luckily have friends who now live 15 minutes away from Hardraw and had invited us to stay on the Sunday night. Apart from not sleeping very well for two nights before the Spine the pre-race logistics and planning went well. Registration was a breeze and very quick and it was lovely to catch up with Nikki Lygo who took this photo of me. There was, of course, the usual worrying over whether you've got the required level of kit especially the new First Aid kit (which I also think is ridiculous) but the process was slick and we were at our friends house by 3pm. A night of faffing and eating and then a restless night with Bruce doing his best to make it worse by barking intermittently.

"Great" I thought next morning. "Oh well, I have no idea what my brain will think when it gets dark but I'll just have to cope". My plan this year was "To finish, being proud of my self management". I might be being harsh on myself but I feel that I have lost the skill of treating the first half of any Ultra as the warm up by ignoring the other runners and being strict with myself so I look after all aspects of my self care until I feel ready to race. So not sleeping well for two nights was not a good start but it did make me reel myself in and I knew that self management was all the more important.

Steve drove me to the start and I got my tracker taped on then sat in the vehicle until 10 minutes before the Start. I started off in the Patagonia Pack Tights, Inov-8.com Venturelite mid half zip top , Inov-8 Performance Hybrid Jacket with the Venturelite Waterproof jacket in a size 12. The insulated jackets that I used were The Omm Rotor Smock and the Alpkit Heiko jacket Clothing was tricky as it was freezing when we set off and there was a lot of snow about but it was forecast to warm up on the Monday to 8C and be wetter and windy.

I set off in Inov8 Xtalon Ultras and I had a pair of  Inov-8 Trailfly G 270 . I used a pair of Leki Neotrail-FX.One-Superlite throughout as I like the molded soft handgrip and the plain strap. I was also using a Garmin GSMAP 66sr for navigation and a Garmin Fenix 7S Pro for time keeping and my own tracking of the race. The pack I used was the Inov8  Racepac 20 (but my test pack which has chest straps and not elastic). I had the support of Ultra Light Outdoor Gear.co.uk in 2024 which had helped immensely in getting the three main sleeping items (sleeping bag, sleeping mat and sleeping bag cover / bivvy bag) for a reasonable price and very compact. I was pleased with how everything went into the pack and how it didn't feel too heavy. The reduction in calories we had to carry from 3000 to 1500 made a big difference to weight although I calculated I had about 1800 calories and intended to eat it all! The size of the First Aid kit was annoyingly huge and largely going to be unused.

Start at Hardraw to Langdon Beck  - 40 miles Arrived 19.12 so 11.12 hours

The start was low key compared to the Spine and we were soon off up the long plod to Great Shunner fell. I was determined not to push too hard as it's a long way to the top and I wanted to retain energy. As we got higher the snow became very deep and really it was a case of settling into a steady pace in the long line of runners. The ones at the front were breaking trail and it was easier to follow this than break away. I made myself eat and was just glad to be going. There was a fair amount of chatter going on and I listened to it. The climb seemed quite easy compared to when I ran up there on the Summer support with the dogs and we soon arrived at the top. Heading off it was claggy and the deep snow covered the flags and paths. There were times we were on the path and lots of times we were off piste bashing. I was glad of the Xtalon Ultras although they felt a bit tight with the waterproof socks on as well. A lot of people had the microspikes on but they didn't look to be faring any better than me. Running down into Thwaite I remembered the diagonal across the fields and got in front of the runners that had just overtaken me on the descent. They came back passed me with two women (Rebecca and Samantha) chatting to me as they passed. The path along to Keld was surprisingly full of snow with every stream valley being a deep snow drift that you had to be careful in as it was already starting to melt. I was making sure I was eating and just wanted to be left alone to settle into the race.

It was a long plod, through frozen, semi frozen and icy snow to Tan Hill. I was looking forward to some hot food and making up my coffee there as there was a bitterly cold wind and I didn't think I had eaten enough to see me across to the A66 and then onto Langdon Beck. Unlike on the Spine there were loads of marshalls and supporters out on the road. I was in a group of say 20 and we were being directed right onwards on the Pennine Way. Someone asked about water and we were told about the tap outside next to the toilets. I went to fill up and had the foresight to ask the marshall about whether the Northern Spine were allowed inside. He said "Of course, just go round the back of the pub". I was tempted not to go, but then my resolve kicked in and two of us left the big group and went round to the left of the pub and inside. The other runner that came with me had shorts on (and I don't know his name but maybe Oliver Richards who went on to be 2nd?) but he asked about soup and then bought me my soup as well. It was nectar and I had two slices of bread as well. I put a coffee bag into my flask and filled it with hot water and added some sugar. I left the checkpoint feeling like a million dollars and ready for the long section ahead.

We could see the group in the distance and steadily caught them up so by the time we crossed the A66 we were back in the pack. Oliver set off overtaking them all while I was content to sit in the middle and let everyone else break trail. At some point across here I started talking to Joe Farnell. having embarrassingly forgotten how I know him. We both supported Kirsty Hewitson on her Ramsay and he's done many events with Matt Bennett. It was good to have a conversation and pass the time as the long stretch across moorland and fields began. Joe was a strong walker and faster than me downhill while I caught him on the climbs. In the back of my mind I would like a running partner to cross High Cup Nick with, knowing it would be in the dark and having been there last year in deep snow I knew it would be easier navigating with two of us. We headed down the long downhill into Middleton and along the fields. I expected Joe to pull away as flat running is not my fortay however while I hadn't done specific flat training I had made myself jog any flat and slightly uphill tracks while out training in the mountains. I wanted to be able to pass the miles, keeping control of my breathing and temperature as I thought this would be better strategy for me than fast walking. We worked well together as I also warned Joe just how long this section is. I was feeling happy as I felt so good compared to last year when my feet were killing and I was physically lifting my legs over the many stiles. I know a lot of this is because I hadn't done 108 more miles but I also know I was fuelling a lot better.

As we approached Langdon Beck I casually asked how long Joe planned to stay in the checkpoint. He said not long as he didn't want to sleep. I suggested we left together and he agreed. I was happy! So in the checkpoint I asked for food and ate a big bowl of curry while sorting out my feet (a blood blister on one toe and a random pain on another toe) by taping with my Zinc oxide tape. I changed socks and it seemed like my feet were wet. I wished I had 4 pairs of waterproof ones but I didn't - I had three. Joe was efficient and we looked to be ready at the same time. It was a bit busy and we heard news of a diversion. We asked about this and were told it was the Cauldron Snout like 2024. I asked for three bowls of food and had the last one out in reception while I was being kit checked. Joe was also there and we left very happily together.

Langdon Beck to Alston - 32 miles Arrived Tuesday 07.28 Total 23.28 hours

The bridge was clearly marked with the diversion but after that it was a bit of guesswork. Note for next year to download the Diversion gpx's as well! Luckily it was still light and I knew we headed right and to a road which we could see. Once on the road Joe wanted to run and I knew we should be but I had a full stomach that was complaining about running. Joe was very considerate and this was the first of a few times we waited for each other. We did run after a while as the road was tedious and I knew it just went on and on. We got to a carpark and a gate where I was sure we went through, but there were no signs. The map on the handheld confirmed it should be the right way and so we took it. Lights behind meant maybe people had gone wrong. It was the right way as it dropped us to the reservoir. Crossing this I knew there was a long section of horrid track. Again the jogging came in handy and thankfully we were at the Shooters Lodge quickly. Again I remembered how cold it was here in 2024 and I was glad of the relative warmth and the company. Last year I seemed to be floundering around, climbing steep bankings of snow for hours. This year it was flat and in no time we reached the big mole hills on the plateau. I was overjoyed. Down the path to the river, which last year was an awful, icy, deep torrent and this year we barely registered it. And then climbing again. I helped Joe with previous knowledge and knowing that there are a few paths here. Again in no time at all we were descending properly onto the track which was icy in places and not pleasant at all.

Running into Dufton, there were two collie dogs which looked just like Bruce and Flynn but I knew they couldn't be. It was Emma Stuart with Moss and Skye! She gave me a big hug and it was great to see a friend and get encouragement. She told me how Kim was leading and she wanted to see him through too. We dived into the checkpoint and got our meals out. Joe had pot noodles or curry I think. I had an Expedition foods pudding which was delicious. I also made my coffee up again and really quickly we were ready to be off. Rebecca and Sam followed us and when we went slightly wrong they were ahead of us. We weren't concerned as to us this was still the warm up phase! I told Joe just how awful this section had been in 2024 with deep snow and with Eoin Keith, amazingly knowing the way all the time and just twisting and turning but finding the flags. As we climbed higher we took a different line than the girls and ended up in front to the big golf ball. The weather came in and it was pretty horrid with driving sleet and a strong wind. I was glad that we were both on the navigation and the same speed downhill too. It was just a matter of getting to Cross Fell and off again as soon as possible. Passing the shelter cairn on the summit we veered off and down. It was strange that although it was horrid, it was still way faster than last year. It made me grateful for everything. We soon hit the track and approached Gregs Hut.

It was lovely and warm in Gregs hut and we had to take our jackets off in the first room. Asking for noodles and hot chocolate I sat in front of the fire. John was up (he was asleep last year) and in good spirits. We quickly ate the noodles and drank the hot chocolate. As we were leaving the girls were coming in. Now the long contouring track and then the track descent to Garrigil and Alston. Just as we dropped Joe said he needed to stop and change things. I was getting cold so ran on down into the village. I faffed in my bag for food and waited. And waited. I walked on in a dilemma not knowing whether to keep going or not. I wasn't sure what he had meant by "You keep going". Did he want to split? Although I had said I would be strong and go it alone when I had to - I didn't feel that I wanted to here and now. I meandered about down the street and kept looking back. I was happy when I saw his head torch and he was obviously pleased to see me. I told him how horrid the new diversion was and that it went along the righthandside of the river where no-one ever walks and the footpath was overgrown, hard to find and the stiles were dilapidated and plentiful. Just warning him that "we weren't nearly at Alston". And so it was. Ducking under fallen trees, slopping alongside collapsed walls, negotiating high unused stiles until we came upon Alston checkpoint a slightly different way to 2024. A nice surprise and we dived in the door. By this time we had agreed another quickish turnaround and off we would go as we had a full day ahead of us and we could sleep at Bellingham.

I had baked potato and something (beans?), followed by rice pudding and then banana and custard while we were doing kit check. I was trying to sort out my head torch and watch charging and planning the very long section to come. Joe was once again organised and we were less than an hour in the checkpoint. I was really enjoying being "on it". Eating was now good - I'd had a blip on Monday before Tan Hill and after that it was good. I'd reminded Joe to eat at some point and now he was constantly troughing out of his OMM chest pouch. His food looked better than mine most of the time but the Scottish tablet was going down well still. I changed my shoes here to the roomier Trailflys and wore them happily to the finish.

Alston to Bellingham - 38 miles Arrived Tuesday 22.10 Total 38.10 hours

As we left Alston a plan was forming in my head that this next section would be where we could open up a gap on the girls and also the 3rt MRT guy who was around about the girls all the time. I said this to Joe and he looked keen without being overly competitive as we both knew it was still a long way to go and we needed to keep eating and look after everything. Again it was interesting to compare to last year where I had done this section with Eoin Keith, Elaine Bisson and Rory Campbell. Eoin was the celebrity known at all the checkpoints and had people springing up all over to see and cheer him on. I was sad and in tears last year because it was this section that Joss had reccied with me before he died. So this year it was great to be feeling so much happier and stronger, with the weather being warmer and even the bogs didn't deflate us. Joe was leading and had a huge step so he leapt many bogs. I was more cautious and went round more or used my poles to straddle them. At no point when I was with Joe did either of us go deeply into a bog. We kept the pace up and kept our eyes on the navigation. And kept eating. I just don't remember this section going on and on like last year except for the strange diversion which was initially impossible to fathom out how to cross the railway line and then it was a tedious two miles on a flat well made (so had to be run) cycleway. We were glad to see the end of it! We were filmed by the Spine team and are in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR9yNej8zxk  We were then soon over the random Hartley Burn common moorland before Greenhead where I remembered the way and all the bogs. And then we were there. Someone at Alston had said there was a checkpoint at Greenhead but there wasn't. Horneystead Jane's sister was there to give us encouragement and tell us Jane had the soup all ready for us. That was nice. We started along Hadrian's Wall and in the sunshine and daylight it was wonderful. I was telling Joe it went on a bit and there were a lot of ups and downs. We reached the 2nd toilets and Joe's dad was there to make a video as Joe was raising money for Oban Mountain Rescue www.facebook.com/ObanMRT He showed us where we could get water and cheered us on our way. I enjoyed the stretch along the wall for most of it. The little climbs came and went and the views were amazing. It got dark on us towards the end and we were ready to turn off. The route was slightly different than last year which meant we passed the Sycamore tree which was fenced off and is apparently growing again.

Once we turned off my memory was a bit sketchy and I'm glad Joe didn't get annoyed at me because I kept saying we were nearly there and then we would continue for another few miles. I remembered deforested bits, and fields and some tracks but everything was twice as long as I remembered. I was half asleep last year though. Eventually we saw lights and I said that's Horneystead Farm. Joe didn't believe me as I'd been saying this for ages. But it was and Jane was there waiting for us with the most amazing soup. Joe made up his noodles and I made up a pudding although I was wishing I had noodles too. The soup was fantastic with a bread roll and Jane was in good spirits. She really helped us on our way.

Then the five miles to Bellingham which I knew was tricky and slow. It seemed to go quickly and Joe and I had a chat about sleep. I asked a question about something and he replied "1 to 2 hours I think would be good" I took that to mean sleep at Bellingham. I'd been toying with the idea of not sleeping there so that I could extend my lead on the girls. It was a risky move as I've never intentionally missed two nights sleep but at the most I was thinking 10/20 minutes. After a while I explained to Joe that "I don't think I can sleep at Bellingham knowing that the girls are catching me while I'm there". I said about having a quickish turnaround and getting out again. There was quite a long silence while Joe digested this. And then he said "I'd like to come with you if that's ok?". OK ???? I was over the moon as it was a lot less risky with two of us to keep each other awake! And so the plan was put into action.

A pretty quick checkpoint turnaround as it was quiet and all the staff very quickly looked after all our needs. I debated socks and must have change three times. The decision being between clean Drymax or already worn, wet Dexshells. Eventually I went with wet, already worn Dexshells. Three bowls of something - I really can't remember what I had! and a thorough kit check and we were heading out into the darkness.

Bellingham to Burness - 26 miles Arrived Wednesday 05.50 Total 45.50 hours

 It proved to be a long night! Initially we were fine but the section that was completely frozen last year was the wettest I could ever imagine it being. The snow and ice had melted and it had rained. We weaved our way around countless bogs and streams that were rivers. But still we avoided falling in with Joe's expert leading and my use of the poles. Eventually we got off the moorland and onto the forest track which was a godsend for an hour and then so never ending it was horrible. By this time we were both needing to sleep. I was remembering trying to walk as fast as Elaine last year along here and was talking to Joe when I added "And what are we going to do about parking?" Somehow Joe had turned into Elaine and we were car park attendants in yellow high viz and cars were going to be arriving to be directed into park by us. There was of course no where for cars to park. Somehow just as I finished saying "parking" I realised that this was not real and I apologised to Joe. He looked at me very blankly and I didn't repeat myself! Afterwards he said he was trying to remember what I was called. We made ourselves jog the tracks because otherwise they would never end. We discussed sleep options. There was the church or the checkpoint. We decided to call in at the church to see how cold it was and then make a decision. It was like a freezer in the church. I backed out and said "Nope, it's got to be the checkpoint". So we made a plan to sleep 10 minutes. On approaching the checkpoint we wanted to take our shoes and socks off and asked the marshall when our time started. She said as you get in the door so we sat outside and took our shoes and socks off as they were caked in mud and this took 5 minutes at least. The checkpoint staff were amazing. We went in and there were two plates of food by the two sofa's so I started to tuck in while thinking about sleep related things. When I thought I could sleep I lay down. Joe was doing his feet. After a minute or two I turned over and thought back to the carparking area and tried to think where we could park cars. That worked a treat and the next minute I woke, looked at my watch and it was 18 minutes. We had 12 minutes to get out. Joe was asleep and I needed the toilet. I unfortunately woke him opening the door. When I came back we needed to move out soon. I extracted my thermal layer from my rucksack and rather uncarefully zipped the rucksack back up. The zip broke! Disaster! But the checkpoint staff sprung into action and found some cable ties with which they fixed it while I got changed and then we all bundled everything outside and finished off out there. It was amazing and I can't thank the Sharon and the volunteers enough. Because of all this extra faff Joe was ready to go first and suddenly he shouts "Yes, I've done it! I'm ready before Nicky is!!!!" and we all laugh while he explains that I've always been ready to go before him. I really hadn't noticed but he was very chuffed with it.

Burness to Kirk Yetholm - 26 miles Arrived Wednesday 16.49 Total 56.49 hours

We still needed head torches but we knew it would be getting light soon. The plod uphill was a lot better than last year. There was hardly any snow now and only a little ice now and again. We had a healthy lead on the girls and the 3rd MRT guy and were keen not to let the guy in 5th place catch us either. I also said to Joe that on my 60 hours schedule we would finish at 19.30 and that it would be really good if we could finish in daylight instead. It seemed a long way off to be aiming for a time but once you have a few goals set it keeps you moving when otherwise you might dawdle. It really was the icing on the cake to be crossing the Cheviots in daylight, in sunshine and in a nice temperature. The wind was cold but overall it was perfect. I was tired of eating but managing it well. The feet felt good and I didn't have any niggles. The legs had strength in them and we kept trotting on when we could. Hut 1 appeared eventually, like I said it did, without warning when you'd been expecting it for hours and then all of a sudden it was there. We didn't need to stop but it was lovely to chat, have a hot drink, get our meals made up and then sit in the sunshine outside. We were soon refreshed and on our way.

It's just a long, long way to Hut 2. The flags were pretty lethal, partly covered in snow with deep bogs either side. Joe was an expert at avoiding the bogs and we jogged along when we could. I was warning Joe about the Schill - or rather the two pointless, boggy, heathery things before the Schill and then also the long road and the last little hill. Last year all this had taken me and Elaine by surprise - although we had both reccied it. I wanted us to be able to keep going with our trotting and so we needed to keep the food going down. Eventually we were climbing the Cheviot (or the start of it) and we couldn't see anyone behind. I'm always wary of jumping trackers and runners that find energy in the last few miles! Achinope Cairn came and then down, down towards Hut 2 where we weren't going to stop but the promise of tea was too tempting.

We left Hut 2 and began the slog over to the Schill. Joe saw what I meant as we weaved about from slop to slop but then the last climb as the sun threatened to set. A quick stop for photos and calculation of times. I said how about a Sub 57 hour finish and we thought this could be tight but it gave us a goal. The descent was actually really lovely. Both of us happy, tired and aching. I really couldn't have hoped for a better race. I was looking forward to seeing Nikki and everyone at the finish (and my lovely cosy van!).We ran the road - all of it and were really happy when we got to the "hill" and could walk! Then down passed the horses, where I had walked the dogs a few days before. Down and down to the pub - through the archway and to the wall. We made sure we touched the wall together and then had a big hug. Thank you Joe. Results on Opentracking

Once we had been fed and looked after, Joe got off with his dad in their camper and I hung around the finish, being welcomed onto the Media table and generally relaxing and having a great time. It was wonderful to see Kim Collinson finish but I missed John Kelly and Lucy as sleep overcame me and I was zonked in my van when they finished. I really enjoyed my time around the finish, talking to SST and hopefully being helpful when I could. It has been the best experience ever and one I will look back on for a very long time with a big smile on my face. I think the only regret is that I didn't take any photos but I'll do that next time. Here's the one's I've been able to glean from this year-  Gallery - Spine 2025