Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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:
BlackCoffeeAndSugar · 23/12/2025 11:44

MaarvaCarassi · 23/12/2025 08:39

I think.you switched units during this calculation - it’s only 15 km per week, rather than 15 miles per eeek.

I wouldn’t sign up to the increased distance - you’re doing really well alteady, so just protect your enjoyment of that.

Edited
Show quote history

Quite likely. I was breastfeeding a tiny baby and am sleep deprived so I'm very likely talking nonsense.

Thanks for pointing out my error with kindness.

Op i thjnk you should keep this thread open and document progress.

Original poster
1willgetthere · 23/12/2025 08:48

Just seen the reply from MaarcaCarassi, a different view.

I dont enjoy running at all but do enjoy the sense of achievement after.

OP posts:
Original poster
1willgetthere · 23/12/2025 08:44

Thanks for the replies and support. I think breaking it down and including walking, it will be a challenge but one I can (possibly) rise to.

I work from home and was also thinking of doing a few short morning walks could help add up the miles, with the longer ones in the evenings. I need to get organised for work but will work out a schedule later.

"I want you to do it just to shut him up. Cos I think he was a knob to.laugh" is what i was thinking too.

And yes some virtual support through January would be great.

OP posts:
MaarvaCarassi · 23/12/2025 08:39

BlackCoffeeAndSugar · 23/12/2025 08:09

Well 5k is about 3 miles so you are currently doing 15 a week. Multiply that by 4 is 60. It's just if you thjnk you can do another 48miles on top and how you fit that in.

I want you to do it just to shut him up. Cos I think he was a knob to laugh

I think.you switched units during this calculation - it’s only 15 km per week, rather than 15 miles per eeek.

I wouldn’t sign up to the increased distance - you’re doing really well alteady, so just protect your enjoyment of that.

TidyDog · 23/12/2025 08:31

That is disappointing from your husband. You are showing ambition to really challenge yourself. You need him to provide positive support, not scoffing that 'you could never'. The challenge is the dedication of getting out and doing something every day to achieve your goal.

I have run for a few years, done a few half marathons but my husband is a pathological runner- runs 6 days a week without fail (and I mean without fail) and can run a sub 3hr marathon.

Just pre covid I suggested I needed a challenge and that I would sign up for a 100k ultra. He really pissed on my chips and said I needed to get a couple of marathons under my belt first before attempting that. This made me sad and I told him so. Then he saw the error of his ways and said if I wanted to do that- he would support me practically (I.e. taking on bulk of childcare when I needed to do long training runs and then recover).

I signed up in the Jan having done no more than 13.1 miles previously and in the July ran 100k, finishing in the top 3rd of all females- we totally bossed it and I'm not sure I've ever been prouder of myself.

If you want to challenge yourself and do it, then go for it. It is a bit more than 5k a day, so 30ish minutes of running. You can build in some lingerie runs, say 10k at the weekend so you can also build in a rest day. If injurynis a worry- do activations/ warm up before yiu head out and rake it slow. If you need to Jeff it- go for it- if some days tou walk rather than run- then that is no problem. You can also break up daily mileage to two walks rather than one run etc. It's about getting out, getting active and doing it.

If you need it for a virtual run, we can be a virtual support group!!

UnaOfStormhold · 23/12/2025 08:15

That would be an average of 6k every day which is possible but the injury risk would be very high for someone relatively new to running. If you really wanted to do it then I would make sure you mix in lots of walking and make sure you get rest days. Perhaps run 6k 3 days a week, walk 8k alternate days and have one day off. Most ultra runners spend a lot of time walking so it would still be in the spirit of the challenge!

BlackCoffeeAndSugar · 23/12/2025 08:09

Well 5k is about 3 miles so you are currently doing 15 a week. Multiply that by 4 is 60. It's just if you thjnk you can do another 48miles on top and how you fit that in.

I want you to do it just to shut him up. Cos I think he was a knob to laugh