With a week to go until intrepid runners will head off on the 268 mile race along the most iconic and demanding national trail in Britain; the Pennine Way, we caught up with SCARPA athlete James Nobels to see how he is feeling ahead of the Spine Race.
How are you feeling going into the Spine race?
Nervous. Excited. Sick thinking about it. That probably means I’m in the right place. The Spine has been at the forefront off my mind for six months now, and rattling round in there for several years on top of that.
The good thing is, having done big chunks of this before, I somewhat know what I am letting myself in for. I’m ready to stand on that start line and roll the dice again.
How is training going?
It’s been pretty solid, nothing flashy. Lots of time on feet, lots of bad weather, lots of tired legs. Some days feel great, others feel awful, which is about as close to the Spine as you can get without actually being there.
I’m not chasing perfection, we’ve got two young kids and I’ve got a busy job, so it's been about consistency and getting the work done. I don't think I could have done much more!
Last year you ran the Challenger South with your dad, how will that experience differ from this year?
Last year was special. Running with Dad took the edge off it — it felt more like a shared adventure than a race.
This year is different, it is very much a race and I’ll be giving it everything. I’ll miss that shared suffering, but I’m very much looking forward to being out there with my own thoughts, plugging away for a few days.
What are your ambitions for the race?
To keep moving forward as efficiently as possible. To race smart. To not blow up early and regret it later. I’d love a strong result and I’ve trained in a way which I think might maximise those odds.
What shoes are you planning on wearing?
SCARPA Spin Ultra 2s. Plenty of cushioning. Good grip. Drain well. They’ve been a favourite for me this year.
What part of the course are you most looking forward to?
The high, bleak bits where there’s nothing to do except put your head down and keep going. It’s grim, but it’s honest.
Everything gets very simple up there. It’ll also be a massive boost coming past home ground over Black Hill - that was epic two years ago.
And least?
I’m really looking forward to getting the Challenger South section done. I know it’s a big bit, but I have done most of that route several times now, and the real adventure awaits north of Hawes, and that's where I have unfinished business.
What is it about The Spine which makes you want to come back again this year?
It doesn’t let you hide. The Spine strips things back — sleep, comfort, “fitness" — and you’re left with whatever you’ve actually got. I don’t think you ever “finish” the Spine in your head. You just carry bits of it with you, and eventually you want to go back and face it again.
