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Original poster

Could I do the virtual Spine?

57 replies

1willgetthere · 23/12/2025 08:05

The virtual spine is a challenge to run (or walk) one of these distances during the month of January (so spread over the month not in one go), 26.8 miles, 43 miles, 108 miles , 160 miles, 268 miles.

My husband is an ultra marathon runner and is signing up for the 160 to help with his training and suggested I challenge myself to do the 43. But I was thinking that wouldn't be too challenge and thought I could do the 108. My husband laughed ! And said I am not appreciating how hard that would be.

I started c2k5 in the summer and now do 5k 3 times a week, all be it slowly and often with a minute walk in the middle.

I am 3 stone over weight, with sore knees and hips after runs. And was planning on doing some strength training to help with this.

I do have the time as my kids are teenagers. However I am peri menopausal and sometimes lacking in energy from hot sweats disturbing my sleep.

Am I being delusional to think i could do the 108 miles?

OP posts:
Original poster
1willgetthere · 04/01/2026 21:56

I had another question about trail trainers would they be better for snowy road/path running? I would assume so.

But still thinking of avoiding running when its snowy as the impacted snow is slippy but will see if my running club is on tomorrow as assume they will cancel if they think its not safe . We only had a small dusting today but as its so cold its still there.

OP posts:
Original poster
1willgetthere · 04/01/2026 21:46

Thanks for the encouragement

Day 4 3.3 mile run 17/108

Had a rest day yesterday and a 5k run this morning before the snow!

Considering getting some trail trainers as I think the hard soles on my walking boots on Thursday were great for my aches and pains, anyone have an opinion on if they are good for walking as well as running, I cant realy see why not its just the cost. But considering doing so more off road runs .

Anyone that does ultras
DH is doing the 7 valleys in September (plus other ultras throught the year ) and has suggested I could to do the 2 Valleys (14 miles), again can be walk or run or a bit of both, so im contemplating that. But as someone pointed out upthread I do facilitate DH ultras and training and not sure i could fit in the training as we dont live somewhere hilly, and have 2 teenagers, who aren't keen on rural weekends.

OP posts:
Notsleepinghelp · 03/01/2026 22:11

Just messaging encouragement @1willgetthere you have got this! Love that you’ve gone for it. My mum ran a half marathon when I was 5 (with two younger siblings too!!) because my dad laughed and said he didn’t think she could do it 💪

Timesquaredy · 02/01/2026 21:43

Just found this thread. I’m glad you’ve signed up for the 108 OP. The 43 wouldn’t have been much of a challenge given your current running levels. Looking forward to keeping up with your progress!

TidyDog · 02/01/2026 21:33

Already bossing it!

Original poster
1willgetthere · 02/01/2026 11:33

Day 2 14/108

I did a 5 mile walk, 1.5 to my mums and same back and a 2 mile walk with mum

OP posts:
Original poster
1willgetthere · 01/01/2026 20:02

Day 1
9/108

I did a 9 mile country walk, the plan was to do 5 miles but there was a path closure so we took a longer route. I now have plantar fasciitis in my left heal , I know its not a good start but im not deterred

OP posts:
Original poster
1willgetthere · 31/12/2025 18:23

Thank for the replies, I have just signed up for the 108, I will walk most of it, I dont mind the dark and cold but hoping for not much rain in January to help me through.

Mermaidbutterwagon , sorry you were put off running for so long, I think its amazing you did a marathon (i dont think i will ever get to that, but im ok with that, if I manage a 10k one day I will be delighted) and I think an amazing time too. So happy that I have inspired you. We can both use this thread to update our progress.

Im planning at trip out to the countryside tomorrow for a walk to set me off to a good start.

OP posts:
itsthetea · 29/12/2025 10:23

less than 4 miles a day - less than 2 hrs walking a day
or 1 hr work days and longer walks at the weekend

but in January that’s in the dark and cold and not motivating so it’s tough

I hit that naturally in a typical month- about 150 miles - but I do walk a lot

do you have a distance counter on your phone to see what your current average would be? If you do 43 miles normally in a month then it won’t be a challenge

Dozer · 29/12/2025 10:01

In your situation and given the time of year I’d do the 43 to kick start the year, and pick my own challenge to train towards. Mainly due to the time of year (dark) and risk of injury/exhaustion increasing mileage in a short time to do 108.

Mermaidbutterwagon · 29/12/2025 09:57

Go for it OP, don’t listen to your husband. I used to do a lot of running and what I’ve found with blokes is that they don’t want to do any distance stuff unless they can log a decent time. This makes them belittle us… case in point I ran London in 4h 57m. I was ecstatic as I wanted to get under 5h. One of the school dad comments was “oh no, what went wrong”? Followed by a (one way) conversation about why did I bother and why should slow people like me waste a potential place of proper runners like him…. And how his sister in law did the same thing and took 7h and he thought she should be ashamed… I shouldn’t have listened to him. But I did and I stopped running. This was in 2018 and I’ve barely run since.

I don’t mean to derail it but my point is - don’t listen to him and do it! And also thanks because you’ve inspired me and I’ve also signed up :-) Mine will be mostly walking with a bit of C25k. Best of luck to you!! And here’s the link for anyone else who is tempted

https://www.ultrabritain.com/events/montane-spine-race/montane-virtual-spine-race

Montane Virtual Spine Race

https://www.ultrabritain.com/events/montane-spine-race/montane-virtual-spine-race

Original poster
1willgetthere · 26/12/2025 23:28

Thanks for the responses
I do have a chest light, but most the paths are light with street lights so only need them for areas shaded by trees and the paths there are so bad with tree roots I do slow down in those spots.

I dont have the fitness/joint wellness to run 3 times more but do for walking so with my plan to walk half of it im feeling positive.

I will keep posting and let you know how im getting on, as this will help motivate me and possibly be motivation for others.

OP posts:
TidyDog · 26/12/2025 13:49

Your plan seems pretty sensible. And if you start to get niggles you can always up the walking/ reduce running if you need to.

Spend some time properly warming up for your runs with activations etc- there is a reason elite athletes do them! And then spend time in the evenings stretching/ doung yoga- there are some great ~15min programmes on YouTube. Search for Yoga with Cassandra or Adrienne.

The very best of luck OP. Really confident that yiu will have this- do let us know how you get on

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 24/12/2025 23:29

So you currently do a bit over 36 ish miles a month. 108 miles is 3 times that. Do you feel you have enough fitness, staying power and time to run 3 times as far as you do now? It might well involve running more often as well as further.

I’m currently doing a challenge to run 5k every day in December. 5k is not a problem, but every day is beginning to exhaust me.

You DH is a knob for not supporting you, but don’t injure yourself out of bloodymindedness.

BecauseofyouIlearntnottotrust · 24/12/2025 17:04

@1willgetthere have you got some decent running lights?

ParmaVioletTea · 24/12/2025 16:35

Go for it, @1willgetthere !!

Original poster
1willgetthere · 24/12/2025 11:18

To answer some questions
Yes I have facilitated my husbands running over the past few years, and yes I guess somewhat to my detriment but I didnt really have the inclination to up my exercise before. But now the kids are older I can make the time even if my husband is out. My husband does also encourage me and will do some of his recovery runs at a slow pass with me or help pace me on the park runs.

I know virtual spine, is silly really as it has no correlation to the challenge of The Spine, so no it can be done on the flat.

We live some where very flat too and its a 30 min drive to the nearest decent hill/mountain. But we may get to go on a weekend, for some more picturesque walks.

Although flat and borning I do feel safe to go for solo runs in the dark early evenings, we live in a very built up area with lots of people and cars to dodge while im out.

OP posts:
Original poster
1willgetthere · 24/12/2025 11:03

Thanks for the replies, I am taking on board the responses but still want to do the 108. However will do half of it running and half walking, and if I feel its too much for my body I will increase the walking %.
I have sometimes done 4 5ks in a week if I have done a park run too so I think 12 miles a week running is doable.

My plan
Monday, I go to a local 5k running group which is a mile away and I usually drive, but will walk there and back. So 3 mile run and 2 mile walk.

Tuesday, my son has a 50 min club, I will walk while he is there hopefully close to 3 miles.

Wednesday, another 50 minute club for my son and I usually do a 3 mile run, I will try to up this to 4 miles.

Thursday rest

Friday, i dont work Fridays 4 mile run or walk depending on how im feeling and if meeting my mum who would walk with me

Saturday, 3 mile run and 1 mile walk

Sunday 4 mile walk.

OP posts:
FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 23/12/2025 20:09

Agree with pps- 108 miles in a month isn't a lot for a regular runner, but stepping up so rapidly from what you're doing now is asking for trouble. You'd almost definitely give yourself an overuse injury, unfortunately.
When upping the mileage, around 10% a week increase is in the realms of "sensible" if you want to avoid injury. 24 miles up from 9 is far beyond sensible and into the "definite injury" zone in my experience.

Don't be disheartened though. Why not do the 43 but aim to improve your 5k times at the same time?

More broadly, "virtual Spine" made me laugh a bit. The hardest part about the spine race isn't the distance in itself, it's the terrain. Do you have to do the virtual Spine on something trail-like to stand in for the Pennine Way or do you do it anywhere?!

LoveSandbanks · 23/12/2025 13:45

You currently run around 9 miles a week. The 108 challenge would be around 24 miles a week. That’s a huge jump in distance.

ParmaVioletTea · 23/12/2025 13:29

I think you could do it if you plan it out with a mixture of walks and runs, amd gradually move from 3 runs a week to running every alternate day. Sit down and plan it out. You could add in a treadmill walk/run also.

Break it down to each week of January, and maybe aim for covering 110k thus (I can't think in miles ...)
Week 1: 20k (5k over your 15k, the extra 5 k as two walks)
Week 2: 25k (maybe 4 runs of 5k each + two walks of 2-3k)
Week 3: 30k (maybe 4 runs of 6k each + two walks of 2-3k)
Week 4: 35k (maybe 4 runs of 7k each + two walks of 2-3k)

Or after Week 1, increase runs to 4 per week, and increase the distance gradually, with a mix of walking & running

But I'm also wondering how much you facilitate your DH's ultra-marathonning. How much is his achievement at the cost of your health? I agree with @BlackCoffeeAndSugar - he's a knob to treat your aim that way.

BecauseofyouIlearntnottotrust · 23/12/2025 13:26

As much as I would love to see you stick two fingers up at your DH I also think it is too much of a jump. You are enjoying the achievement of running. You do not want to push so much and end up on the injury bench for Feb and March. What would be the point.
Why don’t you set your own goal that sees you gently increase one of your runs each week?

PodMom · 23/12/2025 12:59

I think if you increased your running so dramatically you might injure yourself. I set myself a challenge of running 5k a day for a month when my previous level was 5-7k a week. My fibula shattered. Wouldn’t recommend it. But you could walk 5k a day?

MiddleAgedDread · 23/12/2025 12:58

Given what you're doing at the moment and that makes your knees and hips ache I'd say it's too much without building up more gradually and you're asking for injuries.

Onewildandpreciouslife · 23/12/2025 12:56

By my calculations, it’s roughly 24 miles a week, and you’re currently running about 9 miles a week.

The biggest danger is injuring yourself- there’s a rough rule of thumb of not increasing running volume by more than 10% each week to try to manage this risk.

So what you could do is plan to cover 24 miles a week as a mix of walking and running, and gradually increase the running volume within the mix? You could get a head start by aiming to run 16.5km this week (spread across 3 or 4 days).