Well guys, I think its fair to say that maybe my best running days are over, and , by association,  this blog. I remain fiercely private by nature (I'm sure many people still are, in this social media driven society), and do not have any huge running achievements anticipated that will be worth blogging about. Plus, there are a thousand running blogs to each area, and most are far more worthy of reading time (plus, lets face it, far more organised).

I will keep running,  of course, but in my own way and own time. And keep documenting how I am doing in a less public forum than the Internet. 

It's been fun and been a real blast, and I've loved every slightly eccentric entry.

So, keep going guys, whatever you do. Enjoy everything we've got.

Signing out now.

Magic moments pics.....

 

Spine magic moments

 Soooo many magic moments from this event.  So chuffed to have been part of it. Made it to day four. Yay

Magic moments a-go-go. 

Giggling so much at so many things. Hearing running stories from everyone around. Stoodley Pike in the sunset. Arriving at Hebden buzzing. Trying to bivvy in loads of different places,  to try and get power naps in. Jasmin Paris running past us on the Snake Pass. Drinking coffee at 6 in the morning beside a reservoir. The relief of lying in a tent at checkpoint two. Caroline doing a surprise visit at the same checkpoint.  Leaving there on a high. 

Plodding across a beautiful magic moor on Summer Solstice night, seeing the huge Harvest moon to the right, then the Tan Hill Inn lit up in the distance. Trying to sleep on the benches outside the pub  looking at the stars. Missing the Pennine Way completely for nearly an hour and laughing hysterically when the sign was sighted at the bottom of many hills. Borrowing a sleeping mat for yet another power nap session,  to find out that it was borrowed from Tom Hollins. Trying to find my peanuts yet again. Realising that the Tom who had met us for a few minutes was actually THE Tom Hollins. Looking around and relishing what is around.  Loving every second of this event. Getting picked up from checkpoint three after having to pull, with many tears. The kindness of strangers - being taken in and looked after by people I had never even met before.  Hobbling through a service station the next day, still using poles-still funny 

Wow. Loved this. Four days of pure running bliss

Spine DNF no.2

 Well,  I  had to pull out of the Spine race half a mile before checkpoint 3   . This massive event just got the better of me again,  blisters too big to hobble on . Sounds ridiculous now . Like an idiot,  I had to get help to get down to the checkpoint,  after maxing out on every painkiller I had by lunchtime and realising sadly that I had nothing left to give .

But, that's OK. I had the BEST time while I was out there, ran approx 140 miles,  which is the longest I've ever run continuously.  More importantly,  I just got to meet and run with some amazing people and it was brilliant. 

What a fab fab fab time 

Never say never in life

I'm currently trying to make my way back down to Manchester-I would pick a day to dnf where there's no trains running again 

What can I say but a million thank yous to anyone that gave me good wishes- they mean the world 

Spine checkpoint 2

 Just got to checkpoint 2, and a surprise visit from a bestie,  who could want more !!! Moving slow, feet disintegrated, mds style blisters yuk

Got to see a Sumner solstice sunrise from the top of pen y gwent,  amazing 

 Hot day, flagging a bit

 Amazing sunset near stoodley pike coming to hebden

 At hebden, all OK so far, sore feet with a blister or two,  got some food down,  lovely day

 At nickis burger van yum 

 Final kit check....this is the best I can do, Spine people 

 I'd forgotten what it was like to try and run with a full pack....to be fair, I don't think I'll be running at all in the next week,  just going to try and keep moving. 

 Re packed approx 15 times.....aaaaargh......

Number 350

 So, in pure chaotic fashion, just to add to the pressure and nerves....the Summer Spine registration clashes with my last shift before annual leave.  After practically begging the organisers, they will let me do kit check and registration three and a half hours before the event starts. I already love anyone involved in the organisation of this huge event...now I love them even more. 

Talk about cutting it fine.

IF I manage to sort all my kit, IF I manage to get there on time...IF I pass kit check (you get my stress levels on this one)...then my number will hopefully be 350. 

Send me any spare good vibes you may have???? Yikes.

A bit of a gap

 Well, a bit of an unexpected hiatus of long runs, due to a temporary change in work circumstances.  Tried my best to do some short runs when I could, and adored some of the people I got to run with. People,  in general,  are just....incredible 

Even managed a couple of amended HIT sessions,  in slightly strange but brilliant circumstances. 

Roll on the next few weeks,  let's see what happens in running life.

 Living my best life and loving it....running around a harbour in Devon on a family visit, exploring new places to run and trying to find hills to practice also....love this love this love this

MdS finishline !

 I've got hooked on watching the webcam footage from the MDS  finish line. It's the end of the long stage today, a wopping 85 km in desert heat. Some of these guys have been going all day, all night, and then some more. That takes some doing. Inspirational viewing from my chilled out treadmill time.

 Well, what a stunning couple of days on the Pennine Way. I managed to cover the first stage of the Spine, but spread over two days instead of one. A friend agreed to meet me for my overnight stay at Diggle,  making the whole trip into a social event rather than just a recce. 

Some parts I remembered from previous Spine

events/attempts. Some I had completely forgotten.  Whichever way I looked at it,  the trail looks far better in dry sunshine than hideous winter rain. 

 Just come off the Pennine way onto Hebden Bridge,  so P.W. adventure over for now. Pretty chuffed, completed what I hoped to do. 

 Made it from Edale up to Diggle,  just off the pennine way.  I'd forgotten how hard going it can be out here. Not complaining -stunning trotting day

Pennine way recce

 Doing a couple of recce days this week,  just done Edale to torside, very beautiful 

 With the aim of trying to get kit together for this year's  summer spine,  I had the pleasure of a morning at Edale.  Part of the thrill of this event is the prep, as all big events.  I am loving the banter and pics on their Facebook group  , and have big hopes that maybe I could get past Hawes this time.  Maybe.

So off I went,  with a new bit of tech, a garmin Etrex 20. This is a big deal for me,  I would rather just get lost then try a new bit of tech. It took me approximately three days to actually transfer the Spine route data files, and there were tears involved.  Even finding the on switch gave me palpitations.  But, there we are: I'm hoping this will guide me through and be enough for the kit check.  Just follow the line Rachie. Hhhmmm.

Fingers crossed

 Fingers crossed for the Summer event this year....a bit of merch for training inspiration....