This weekend, I made it up to Hebden Bridge for the Spine Race training event. Aha, I thought when I booked this : a few chats, discussions about navigation and kit, meet fellow competitors. Imagine the distress when I opened the itinerary to find that the Saturday incorporated a 47 mile training run, carrying all mandatory kit, with scenarios thrown in. Even the training weekend felt bigger than me.
Well, to my relief, I survived the run. I have revised my kit yet again, after the info given, experimenting with some items, and talking to other participants. An invaluable weekend to attend, and I loved every minute.
Possibly more importantly for me, during this event I met and ran with other aspiring participants (apparently we are called Spiners). We have semi arranged to meet at the starting line of the real thing, and at least begin the event together. This in itself, has taken some of the worry out of the pre race build up.
The whole thing still looks horrendous though.
