[Mad Stuff] The Spine Race

sconhome

http://live.thespinerace.com/

Just to let everyone know Enduro is on the start list for this again. Wishing him all the very best. Be tracking him all the way from the start on Saturday.

sconhome

Tick tock they're off around 10 o'clock today

sconhome

Looks like Enduro is sticking to Pavel's tail. Sitting on his shoulder for the early few hours.

A group of 4 in the front pack.

Djoucer

sconhome wrote: »

Looks like Enduro is sticking to Pavel's tail. Sitting on his shoulder for the early few hours.

A group of 4 in the front pack.

Good stuff. Last year Pavel went off hard first 2 days and didn't rest much.

When weather forced the temporary postponement of the race, Pavel was able to rest knowing no-one could catch him.

sconhome

https://twitter.com/MyOutdoorsRun/status/686068263898447873

Covering each other all the way.

shotgunmcos

The lead trio still together. GWAN Enduro!

sconhome

shotgunmcos wrote: »

The lead trio still together. GWAN Enduro!

This morning he has made a move, pushing on from the other 2 guys. I hope it sticks.

https://www.facebook.com/triharderAR/posts/777187649081095

sconhome

Eoin is stretching his legs! Increasing the gap.

https://twitter.com/Damo_Hall/status/686533757579444224

sconhome

https://twitter.com/MyOutdoors/status/686556970552274944

sconhome

Eoin is now an hour ahead of Pavel and apparently at this point 10 hours ahead of Pavel's course record from 2014!!! #Machine

sconhome

hmmm wrote: »

Are they going to go straight through to the end at this point?

I'd hazard a guess and say yes.

Pavel seems to have gone into another gear and the gap is narrowing (or seems to). It could be a sprint finish from here

According to Twitter there is no real CP with rest spots from here to the finish so by my reckoning 12-14 hours from CP5 to finish and maybe 1-1.5 hours to CP 5, I'd say if Eoin gets wind of the move by Pavel it will go to the bitter end.

sconhome

Eoin has a 55 minute lead over Pavel at the final checkpoint CP5. 'Dash' for the line now as neither stopped for long.

hmmm

Looks to be extending his lead now, upto nearly 5k - although someone on Twitter said they thought that Paloncy looked stronger.

That climb out of Byrness must be a killer.

sconhome

Eoin currently past Byrness and resting. Eugeni is retired due to a reported knee injury. Paved has lit the afterburners.

I just hope Eoin has a reliable alarm!!

shotgunmcos

Gap closing. C'MON Eoin!!!

sconhome

https://twitter.com/MyOutdoorsRun/status/687173241304182784

Eoin is expected to finish from 8:30 with predicted 9-10am.

In doing so he smashes the course record.

Absolutely fantastic stuff from the man.

sconhome

And Eoin is done, smashing the course record by 15 hours!!

Take a bow sir, absolutely awesome!

sconhome

https://twitter.com/MyOutdoorsRun/status/687203645591543808

pgibbo

Savage going. Congrats Eoin!!!

Bambaata

Good start to the SBR spreadsheet on the running front. He might also have won "Chapter 1 - Go find a Big Hill!" challenge too :P

Neady83

Wow, that's unbelievable going. Hats off to you Eoin, what a performance. You well and truly smashed the spine.

shotgunmcos

Awesome! Congrats Eoin absolutely savage.

Dory Dory

Congrats Eoin!! (is that enduro?)

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Well done Eoin, you are obviously bonkers:)

sconhome

Dory Dory wrote: »

Congrats Eoin!! (is that enduro?)

I hope he doesn't mind - Yes

summit2summit

Congratulations again, Eoin, incredible feat of endurance!

career move

Congrats Eoin. Super stuff altogether and you make it look easy! Enjoy the achievement and the rest and you might even reward yourself with a bit of cake


P.S If you have the energy/inclination in the near future to write a few paragraphs I'm sure there's a lot of people would love to read about it. Otherwise we'll wait for the book

woody1

just caught the end of an interview with him on anton savages show on today fm ( with neil delamere ) came across really well

sconhome

Just to say there is still another Irish lad out on the course Tom Reynolds who is currently somewhere between CP4 & CP5 - the tracking is not yet finished

Just shows how spectacular Eoin's performance is.

pgibbo

woody1 wrote: »

just caught the end of an interview with him on anton savages show on today fm ( with neil delamere ) came across really well

Aye, I caught the whole interview thanks to the traffic chaos in Galway. Excellent interview. 20ft teacups eh? :eek:

Enduro

Thanks for following! I really will get a race report written this time

Enduro

I posted this in the A/R forum, but should probably post it here too....

I'm writing a fairly detailed race report, which is broken into installments. It's taking longer than the race itself I'll probably write seperate follow-on reports on nutrition and gear (Having the right gear is my cold-adaptation!).

The first part is here, and the rest follow or will follow!

And in case anyone is interested, I'll be giving a talk on my Spine race experiences at the Great Outdoors (one of my gear sponsors) this Tuesday at 7pm. There's a 5 euro charge to attend, 100% of which will be donated to the Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. Places can be booked here.

Neady83

I hope you don't mind Enduro but I'm just gonna pop this here: http://adventureraceworld.podomatic.com/entry/2016-01-23T22_00_01-08_00

A great interview Enduro did with Randy Ericksen, very honest and insightful Well worth a listen.

Neady83

I hope you don't mind Enduro but I'm just gonna pop this here: http://adventureraceworld.podomatic.com/entry/2016-01-23T22_00_01-08_00

A great interview Enduro did with Randy Ericksen, very honest and insightful Well worth a listen.

Enduro

Neady83 wrote: »

I hope you don't mind Enduro but I'm just gonna pop this here: http://adventureraceworld.podomatic.com/entry/2016-01-23T22_00_01-08_00

A great interview Enduro did with Randy Ericksen, very honest and insightful Well worth a listen.

I don't mind at all! There should be another one on talk Ultra when the next episode is out.

sconhome

Some dot watching for anyone interested. http://live.thespinerace.com/spinerace17/

Enduro is back defending his title and course record at the Montane Spine Race which kicks off on 14th January.

The start of this race always seems to coincide with a change in the weather and conditions seem to be on par with previous years with snow, ice, storms all lining up to add to the challenge.

Seems to be a few filling the Irish field with Carol Morgan, Pat Rodgers and Brian Harman all taking part and in the Challenger field starting 15th Jan - Alan Foley & Sean Mason.

sconhome

I love the self belief the Americans are coming with http://www.parkrecord.com/sports/local-runners-go-across-the-pond-for-new-adventure/

It will make it an interesting race where Canice Harte will (I think) push Eoin & Pavel. It will get tactical as the two boys are uber familliar with the route and the conditions so will Canice sit on shoulders for the first 3/4 or will he go from the gun hoping to outrace the boys? Will the boys let him sit there and plan to outsmart or 'undersleep' to get the jump?

There was a similar tactical race last year or was that 2015 where Pavel was shadowed for the race until the final bit where he dropped the guy.

Gonna be a good one!

Enduro

Most people have missed the most interesting challenger this year! My own thoughts on contenders here. It going to be "interesting"!!!

Bambaata

Already looking forward to the race report. Best of luck enduro

sconhome

Currently the same three amigos at the front Pavel, Eoin & Eugeni - same arrangement as last year. Eoin seems 'content' trotting along at the back of the pack, still a LONG way to go only 38 miles into 268.

Carol Morgan is leading the ladies race by a couple of miles and is running in a small group at CP1 with Johan Steene who Eoin has marked as a threat this year.

Unfortunately Canice Harte is a retirement after 17 miles - no word as to cause.

sconhome

While plugging away steadily Eoin has let the others move on in front of him. Quite likely confident that tiredness will catch up and he'll slip on by late in the race.

There was a 30 min penalty for Pavel & Eugeni due to an aberration off the course which they have opted to serve later - must check, I'm presuming they are not allowed benefit from it as extra sleep.

A video today showed Eoin in an uncharacteristic (as much as I know him) downbeat frame of mind - its rare he doesn't muster a smile - but here's hoping thats a passing wave that he'll bounce back through. Doing mighty!

ford2600

sconhome wrote: »

While plugging away steadily Eoin has let the others move on in front of him. Quite likely confident that tiredness will catch up and he'll slip on by late in the race.

There was a 30 min penalty for Pavel & Eugeni due to an aberration off the course which they have opted to serve later - must check, I'm presuming they are not allowed benefit from it as extra sleep.

A video today showed Eoin in an uncharacteristic (as much as I know him) downbeat frame of mind - its rare he doesn't muster a smile - but here's hoping thats a passing wave that he'll bounce back through. Doing mighty!

Back smiling it seems.

Photo of him beside a bottle of Fanta, must have been for someone else

sconhome

ford2600 wrote: »

Back smiling it seems.

Photo of him beside a bottle of Fanta, must have been for someone else

Apparently that Fanta was from a volunteer who remembered how polite Eoin was last year and just gave it to him

Here's where the penalty was gained:


Pavel & Eugeni took the blue line to the North on the roads bypassing a section of the Way. They are being held to serve the penalty after one of their transitions. So once they are fed and rested, ready to go again they will be held so there is no gain from extra sleep etc.

Not sure that 30 mins is enough to be fair.

Keeks

sconhome wrote: »

A video today showed Eoin in an uncharacteristic (as much as I know him) downbeat frame of mind -

I am finding this race fascinating....mad...but fascinating.

Looking through some of the Facebook images, I can't but suspect that he have had a fall or picked up some sort of injury....Hopefully not.

sconhome

Hands are battered by the trekking poles, continually wet & chaffed.

Feet like that are normal, in fact he has all his toenails still & no blisters so pretty good shape all things considered!!

Bulmers

Irish girl Carol Morgan doing great, 12 mile lead, resting in CP2 at moment but she was gaining ground all day, great going.

sconhome

Bulmers wrote: »

Irish girl Carol Morgan doing great, 12 mile lead, resting in CP2 at moment but she was gaining ground all day, great going.

She's flying!!

Eoin has now closed the gap right down to 4 miles. The two boys have penalties served (seems Eugeni served, awaiting confirmation) so very much game on as he chases them down.

Pat & Brian still going strong and seem close together with a large group.

Compulsive dot watching at the front as strategy and sleep deprived tactics unfold. Inspiring watching the mid to back of pack.

Keeks

Bulmers wrote: »

Irish girl Carol Morgan doing great, 12 mile lead, resting in CP2 at moment but she was gaining ground all day, great going.

Yip...flying alright......25K lead in the womans races and in the top 10 overall...some going.

sconhome wrote: »

Eoin has now closed the gap right down to 4 miles.
.

Not so sure about this....where Pavel and Eugeni are at the moment seems to be a tracker blackspot. When i look at it earlier this morning I could see that Pavels time or position was not updating and I just see that he is back there miles ahead...i make it over 10miles anyway

I could be wrong...

joey100

Any desire to do the race yourself Scon???

sconhome

joey100 wrote: »

Any desire to do the race yourself Scon???

**fingers in ears**

It would be an amazing challenge. Following it the past couple of years and I've gone from "those nutcases" to "what training would I do?"

:D

sconhome

Keeks wrote: »

Not so sure about this....where Pavel and Eugeni are at the moment seems to be a tracker blackspot. When i look at tit earlier this morning I could see that Pavels time or position was not updating and I just see that he is back there miles ahead...i make it over 10miles anyway

I could be wrong...

Nope you're spot on.