THE VIRTUAL SPINE RACE

Widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest endurance races, the Montane SpineRace is a truly epic challenge that tests a competitor’s physical resilience and mental fortitude. Racing non-stop along the Pennine Way, runners experience the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter.
In 2021, as well as the traditional race, there is the chance to take part in a ‘Virtual’ Montane Spine Race in which I will run and walk the entire 268-mile distance of the ‘Spine Race’ from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the remote Scottish borders between January 1st and the 31st. Being Virtual means that every mile I run or walk anywhere will be recorded and show me virtually travelling along the famous route. The challenge equates to a massive 8.65 miles every single day throughout January and with this being one of the coldest and wettest months of the year it will feel every bit as tough for me as it does taking part in the real event.
My fundraising page for this mammoth challenge can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20 Please give generously for this amazing charity.

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A New Year & A New Challenge

Virtual Spine Day 25

Virtual Spine Day 25


Distance Covered Today – 10.20 miles

Total Distance covered – 254.27 miles


Virtual

  Cold and bright day

Another lovely walking day today starting by going up Lamb Hill then through a bit boggy ground to Auchope Rigg. It’s following the England/Scotland border again and on the whole very pleasant walking in good weather conditions. The Cheviots really are stunning and a location I will be returning to in the future.

Reality

 Cold and bright day

Walk 5.31 miles – It was the boring route again but I actually quite enjoyed the walk this morning in the snow. Started in a blizzard but then just a nice bright crisp morning on soft snow listening to my Ska collection. Happy Days.

Walk 4.89 miles – Up over the tops listening to my Ska music and just head down. That was until my running buddy Edward Lee caught me up and walked down to Nelson with me. Nice to have a friendly face on the walk to break it up.

       

     

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

Virtual Spine Day 24

Virtual Spine Day 24


Distance Covered Today – 7.83 miles

Total Distance covered – 244.07 miles


Virtual

  Cold and bright day

In a nutshell, this weekend was brilliant. around 24 miles along the top of the loneliest hills in the least-populated part of England. Route-finding is surprisingly easy and the path often follows the fence that marks the border between England and Scotland. There are bogs, of course, and up here they’re of the ‘where’s my walking pole gone?’ variety. It can be exposed, too, and this is also a military training area (blank firing only), so making sure I don’t touch anything strange, metal or bomb shaped is the order lol. I survived though and now its just one week left with only 24 miles to go.

Reality

Cold and bright day

Walk 7.83 miles – A lovely walk with Linda over the tops from home, down through Trawden, Winewall and back to Colne before heading home. Some lovely views with the snowy ground and blue skies. Found that a pleasure rather than the chore some of the recent walks and runs have been. Great weekend with this walk and cracking snowy run yesterday 🙂 Now less than 24 miles to go and a full week to do it in.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

Virtual Spine Day 23

Virtual Spine Day 23


Distance Covered Today – 17.94 miles

Total Distance covered – 236.25 miles


Virtual

Very cold and bright day

Todays 18 miles is a comparatively easy day to reach the demanding but glorious Cheviots. The section is split into two clear stages: heathery moor with wonderful views but bog hopping skills required; and forests which have no bogs but few views either. Today there were plenty of bogs to contend with after all the rain and melting snow of late. The moors come first and include some enchanting stretches of purple heather in September, shame its January. But time and again I see my feet disappear into that squelchy, murky underworld we call bog. So the dramatic change to stony forest track roads was welcome, at first. But the monotonous pounding takes its toll and has me hankering after the soft, comfortable swamps. I just cant be happy 🙂

Reality

Snow for the morning turning brighter and colder later in the day

Run 13.66 miles – So we thought it was going to be a bright sunny morning but instead we started the run in a blizzard. Was actually really good to run on the fresh snow that had landed as we set out over the back roads to Kelbrook, down to Earby then along the old railway line to the old Thornton Station. Then it was up to Thornton village, out to Greenberfield Locks and on into Barnoldswick. The worst part was the canal section but before we knew it we were back in Colne with over 13 miles done. Not quick but definitely enjoyable.

Walk 4.28 miles – Was expecting an easy afternoon after my run but Linda had other ideas. After a quick lunch, it was out with her for a 4-mile walk. Great for the challenge but tough on the legs.

        

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.