It’s been a month and a half since my last blog, and life has certainly kept us busy. In that time my husband officially retired, and we celebrated by spending a blissful month in Lanzarote. Now we’ve back to reality with a bang – or rather, a paintbrush. While I’m staying at my mums to dodge the dust, Chris is currently up a ladder tackling the ceilings. It’s a race against the clock, as our new kitchen gets fitted next week.

Lanzarote was more than just a break for the sunshine and relaxation; it was a total reset for my body. My remaining hip flexor niggles finally settled down completely while we were there. I’m not sure if it was the climate, the daily walking or simply the culmination of all my hard work in the gym, but I definitely felt better. I’ve finally been able to start ramping up my training and increasing my running miles again.

We spent a lot of time exploring some of the island on foot, tackling the dusty, stony trails that wind up and down the local volcanoes. Since the weather was mild, we could head out for long morning runs without the usual heat and humidity. Naturally, we also joined the local gym. What started out as a necessity for injury prevention and strength has become a true passion of mine – I’ve genuinely come to love the feeling of getting stronger.

Since returning home, I’ve been staying at my mums and keeping the momentum going with my runs and my gym sessions. I hit a milestone this morning with a 17km run and felt great, so the plan is to keep adding distance to my weekly long runs. Chris and I are training toward a big adventure in September: a multi-week run covering 30-35km a day while carrying our own gear and tents. While our running fitness is getting where it needs to be – with Chris a bit ahead of me – it’s been a while since we’ve hiked with heavy backpacks. That’s our next hurdle but it feels doable.

I’m hoping to reveal the details of our September adventure in my next blog post; for now, I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that everything stays on track. But the challenges don’t stop there. I’ve also signed up to the Winter Spine Race in January 2027. Don’t let the ‘short’ 46-mile distance fool you – it’s a brutal undertaking. This takes place on the Pennine Way – starting in Edale and finishing in Hebden Bridge. Between the rugged terrain, extensive mandatory kit list to carry and the Artic-like conditions, it’s a difficult day out. Recent races have seen everything from deep snow drifts, sheet ice, gale-force winds and -10 degrees at night. Plus with a lunchtime start in the dead of winter, I’ll be navigating most of it in the dark.

The Spine Race has been an obsession of mine for a few years now. My ultimate goal is the full Winter Spine – a 268 mile journey along the Pennine Way that is widely regarded as one of the most brutal races in Britain. While I was originally signed up to the full Summer Spine race, the injures I’ve faced over the last six months were a wake-up call. I’ve realised I need to climb my ‘Spine Ladder’ more intentionally. By starting with the 46-mile sprint and building through to the 100 mile race and then on to the full length distance over a few years, I can give myself the best chance of being able to complete it.

A little pic from Lanzarote to brighten the page