Could I do the virtual Spine?

[1willgetthere]

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?

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

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

Already bossing it!

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!

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 💪

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.

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.

I think trail shoes are generally better than walking boots anyway, as they're less heavy. I tend to wear my trail shoes for 95% of my walks as well as all my trail runs, only saving full boots for the very long stuff.

They're no good for running in hard ice but are better in snow and slushy ice than road shoes are. And obviously better in mud as well.

I'm gettin pretty arthritic in my feet, so I massively favour the cushioning of my rooad shoes rather than switching to trail shoes. I usually run in Brooks adrenaline, but for trail use Brooks Cascadia. I only realy use them when it is super muddy and slippy as I struggle to get up the hill on the usual dog run without them! On the rare occasions there's been snow to run in, I've just used normal road shoes and gone veeerryyyyyy slowly. But my other ahlf continues his marathon training (even when we on holiday) and wears his trail shoes up the mountains.

I prefer a wider shoe and size 8-8.5 I’m on my second pair of these £99 use them for trail and walking the dog daily like the gortex waterproof great for wet grass and extra grip
www.sportsshoes.com/product/sal6604/salomon-speedcross-6-gore-tex-men's-trail-running-shoes---aw25

Thanks for the shoe advice. I wear wide fit due to bunions so it does limit the choice. My road shoes are Topo so thinking of trying their trail shoes, I was hoping for some good sale prices with it being January but there wasn't when I looked the other day, will search again.

Day 5 3.5 mile walk
Day 6 2.5 mile walk

23/108

Good luck with your challenge hope you can manage the foot issues. Gentle stretches help me as often muscles tightening in other places can impact feet & biomechanics. Just 15-20mins of yoga daily releases my calves, hamstrings and lower back as I walk daily with the dog 5-8k plus I run 5k 3x a week (I’m in my 50s & lost 3.5st last year thanks to MJ).

exciting! You’re doing well so far!

I have had plantar fasciitis for many years, it’s still OK after lots of running (decent shoes). Like trail running, have always worn ‘road’ shoes for the trail.

After a few minor accidents slipping on ice I avoid running on snow & ice and also now go to the gym in various kinds of weather, including for the air con when it’s hot!

I do a bit of pilates for stretching, still not done any strength exercises though!

Day 7 slow run with some walks with DH as he was doing a recovery run 3.4 miles

Day 8 3.1 mile run

29.5 / 108

Planning a walk with my mum tomorrow followed by a cafe breakfast, weather depending.

well done your doing great. Building walking into the daily routine is the easiest way to get fit I think. We have a dog so I have no excuse but to walk her daily but it’s turned into the highlight of my day now after 5yrs of it I averaged 14k steps daily last year on my garmin. It’s around 2x 40min walks plus daily life. I have desk job mostly sat during day.
For strength training you could start with 20 squats and alternative lunges plus a plank for however long you can hold it. I started with 30sec plank & now do 2mins+ Add in pushups and your be suprised how quickly it builds up if you do it every other day.

Thanks for the strength tips and agree its building it all in to daily routine to keep it going long term.

Day 9 4.8 mile walk
Day 10 3.3 mile run

37.6/108

Mermaidbutterwagon how are you getting on?

You're smashing this- a third of the way trhough the month and you are already over a third of thew way through- perfectly paced!

Well done OP. you'll be at the halfway point before you know it

Well done OP! I’m getting though the miles and enjoying watching the total go up :-) I live really near the spine route so it’s quite exciting looking at the map. Hope you’re enjoying it too and finding it motivating 💪

Well done mermaid

Day 11 rest day
Day 13 3 mile run and walked there and back so 5miles total
Day 14 3 mile walk
Day 15 3 mile run

49/108

Just a little behind, but remain confident I can do this 💪

Day 16 shit show of a day no exercise, actually walked to AandE with my eldest so about a mile but not counted that , he has a broken nose!

Day 17 4 mile walk planned to be longer but too much on

Day 18 4 mile walk , had to force myself out, again planned for more but too much on, stood in the cold for 4 hours for my youngest birthday paintballing party which over ran.

The app says I need to do 5.73km a day to make it, I was hoping to be a bit further ahead to give myself some leeway but it isn't working out that way, and feeling drained from the last few days.

Hang in there. I follow Elsey Davies the ultra runner on instagram, and there was a great clip of when she was running the circumference of Cornwall- she was on about day 5, up at 5am, and she says to herself “Left foot, right foot. Let’s go.” I use that as my mantra regularly!

Im still slowly racking up the miles, mostly walking, with 2 5k runs this week. Im up to 84 miles.

I plan 5 miles for Monday and Fridays so that just leaves 14 miles to spread between the week.

Im currently dot watching watching dh on live tracking running round 100 miles of the south west coast path non stop. Started yesterday and should finish later today.

Well done @1willgetthere hope your feeling good and the daily walks or runs have helped in the January gloom.

i do feel for the runners @PodMom the conditions in the stormy conditions have been horrid. I’m in the SW. I hope your DH is ok.

Is your DH doing (or done by now) Arc of Attrition? Wow if so. I would love to do that having done some races around the Cornish coast path, but knowing how steep, narrow and close to the cliff edge some bits are and being scared of heights, no way I would ever have the balls to do any of it in the dark!

What an achievement