I caught up with Kim Collison ahead of the 2024 Spine race. Read on to hear about how he is hoping to make it third time lucky, whether he will charge off with Damian Hall as they have done the last two years , and what his geekiest piece of kit is?
Kim is a previous GB ultra-trail international.
His other achievements include but are not limited too are being the previous holder of both the Lakeland 24-hour record and the Scottish 24-hour Munro record. He is also a previous record holder for an unsupported Winter Bob Graham Round. More recently he set the current record for the 300km Northern Traverse from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood Bay in Yorkshire.
AS. Am I right in thinking you started in 2022 and 2023 and baled out both times?
KC.Yes.
AS. So it’s back for a third time lucky. How far did you get in 2022, and how far in 2023? What was it that caused you to drop out?
KC. The first time was literally just before Hawes, so after a hundred miles, maybe 105 miles, I think I ended up dropping out and getting a lift down to Hawes. The second time, I got to the Tan Hill Inn, which is maybe 120 miles away. Both are a very long way, but nowhere near long enough.
The reasons? Primarily, it’s been muscular issues the last couple of years with my long leg. The legs are just seizing up, cramping, and bringing forward motion to a standstill. That’s not good for your biomechanics.
AS So how have you been preparing for this year to help you go the whole way to Kirk Yetholm
KC. Hopefully, the primary preparation was taking something less, which means I’ve come off medication for cholesterol.
That, I think has been hindering and causing the issue in my muscles for the last two years. The timeline since when I went on the medication as it was after the Scottish Munro’s record in 2021.
Since then, in the last three years, I’ve always had appalling failures with muscular issues. Since coming off medication in October, the difference in adaption and training effects has been amazing. My legs feel much more like they should have done in the past.
So it fills me with hope that I’ve potentially removed the source of the issue, which might allow me to suffer in normal ways rather than the extra dimension that’s been playing in my head for the last two years of trying to problem solve something.
AS Preparing for this year’s race, have you spent any time on the course, or do you feel you know the course well enough?
KC. I haven’t spent much time on the course.
A. I want to keep it a little fresh and enjoy the journey that a new adventure and exploration brings. I did run a couple of local sections. I’ve run most of the section from Tan Hill to Garragill in terms of recces. Not in one go, but split up. So I’ve covered a couple of sections that I hadn’t been on previously, and then some that I have, just to get an idea and feel for the course again.
AS This might sound a bit of a weird question, but for anyone who’s training for the spine, do you have any key spine sessions? Or is it just doing plenty of what you’ve been doing for the last few years, j
KC It really does depend on what you have done in your past. I think if you’ve done a lot of days on the hills, out in the mountains, carrying kit and looking after yourself in all sorts of weather, then maybe you don’t need to do so much of that in preparation for the spine. But if you’re coming from a road background or a short trail race background, then you haven’t spent long days out looking after yourself with kit on the mountain, on the hill, carrying a big bag, then you need to do a lot of that side of the training to prepare yourself for that skill set. However, doing too much of that is not necessarily going to make you fitter for the race. It’s going to improve your experience and skill set to improve your chances of completion. So I think I’ve come more from the fitness side and doing things that I feel will make me strong and fit and have a good energy system for the race.
AS. There is an extensive kit list. How big is your bag? How many litres?
You can see the extensive Spine Race kit list HERE
KC. 25 or 30 litres.
I’ve gone for a bigger capacity to change for any conditions.
Last year, I went ultra-small and I found that it’s alright packing it at home but if it suddenly gets cold and you want to take an extra layer, it wasn’t working too well. So I’ve just gone for the bigger bag, but still have the same amount of stuff in it.
AS What is the geekiest bit of kit you’ve got in your bag? Is there one item you’ve had to source carefully? Either because of weight or just because of performance?
KC A poo shovel. It’s an essential bit of equipment on the kit list, and i have found the lightest piece of metal that looks like a poo shovel that you have to carry.
AS.`You obviously have sponsors and links with some major companies.
What is the most essential bit of kit from your point of view for the race to help performance?
KC. Well, having a good Petzl headlamp for me is essential when it’s a very long, dark journey up the Pennine Way. Having good head torches and batteries and a system for using different torches or recharging them easily helps.
AS. And what is your footwear of choice?
KC I’m going for the classic La Sportiva Mutants this time. With a waterproof sock liner combo.
AS. What do you feel is the hardest part of the Spine course? And B, what do you find most challenging about taking on the spine race? What is it that has most inspired you to do this again?
What’s bringing you back?
KC. I guess it’s the adventure and the unknown. Something that I haven’t finished yet, so the outcome is uncertain. Trying to unlock the potential I know I have to reach the finish in the best possible time I can is what brings me back. I think the hardest point is trying to get through that dark hole that’s going to come at some point, and then trying to overcome that desire to want to quit.
AS. Are you expecting full winter conditions next week?
KC. Who knows what the forecast will be? It’s looking relatively stable at the moment. That could mean a big dump of snow at some point.
Probably over the Cheviots, on the final section.
AS Right! I know I went down to see Marco finish last year. I walked up almost to the base of The Cheviot, and there were big dumpings of snow up there, making the going hard.
AS.One last thing. You have been running with Damian (Damian Hall, the 2023 winner) for several miles, in the last two races.
What was the banter like between the two of you?
KC. (Laughs.) It was good, but I’ve been his pacer for the last two years to 100 miles when I dropped out! Now it’s his turn to be my pacer.
AS. It’s a very loaded field this year.
I know you wouldn’t be going into this if you didn’t think you could finish, but I’m sure you want to place highly. Who do you see as your main opposition? Secondly, are you prepared to go at any pace, or are you just going to run your own race this year?
KC The main opposition, I think, is probably this big handful of competitors. You have got Damo and Jack back from last year. Jack certainly wants to go one better. Damian is very experienced, loves the spine and knows what to do. You can say the same about John Kelly who has won before, and you could probably say similar about Simon Roberts. He’s experienced and has pace. Probably more of a dark horse would be James Noble as one you’d probably see coming through. He certainly has the speed and the experience. Then there’s a whole load of other strong runners who could easily end up on a podium.
On the second part of the question, probably not. I think my experience in the last two years tells me that there is a pace that I will go with, and then there’s definitely a pace that I won’t.
AS. Thanks so much for your time, Kim. The dot watchers will be fascinated to see everyone’s progress. Good luck.
KC Thanks Adrian
You can read our full Montane Spine race preview 2024 HERE
Full details of the 2024 Spine race are HERE
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Adrian Tarit Stott.
The author is a former GB 24 hour ultra international with over 100 ultra race completions. He has also been involved organising ultra distance races for over 30 years. Still an active recreational runner, he is currently a member of UKA’s Ultra Distance Advisory Group (URAG) and part of the selection and team management for both Scottish and GB ultra teams.He is also a freelance writer, contributing articles and reports to several websites and magazines including Athletics Weekly and Irunfar.
