![]() ![]() In 2015, I failed after three loops, a harsh introduction to Barkley where I had been doomed by a poor nutrition strategy. Still, though, I felt I was as prepared as possible after three and a half years of work, two previous failures, and a thorough analysis of all the known variables (in much the same way that I would approach a data science problem). Focusing on everything is impossible, though, because time constraints are a thing and there are just too many factors and too many unknowns. Focusing on just one aspect of the race ensures failure, because a strength in a single area is never enough to get through the race and a weakness in a single area can be fatal. It’s impossible to fully prepare for Barkley. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that cold.Image: Roger Overall/Show & Tell Communications Ltd Barkley Preparations Even coming back down the valley, away from the higher ground, we were still struggling with the cold. ![]() I’m not one to give up on anything, but I’m glad we made the decision we did. “When we realised we had no chance of completing lap two inside the time limit, we took an escape route. It turned out to be incredibly cold and wet, which, together with the darkness and fog, made for slow going,” Spinks said. ![]() “The weather forecast didn’t really detail just how cold it was going to be in the mountains and none of us had extreme winter kit in our race packs. Lap one took us about 11 and a half hours, which was longer than I had hoped, but the temperatures, the difficult terrain and the time spent trying to find the well-hidden books all played a part.”Īfter a quick turnaround with their support crews, Spinks and Case set off on the second lap in the dark with fellow runners Michiel Panhuysen and Billy Reed, but the weather forced them back to camp in the early hours. “I ran with Stephanie, who is a Barkley veteran, and she was brilliant in helping me learn about the unique elements of the race. The first lap was run in really hot conditions, too hot for my liking, and then the second lap was the opposite, unbelievably cold with lots of rain. Recovering in the US, Spinks said: “The Barkley Marathons was extremely tough in many ways. Nicky Spink breaking the record for completing a double Bob Graham Round in the Lake District in 2016 ![]()
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