NICKY SPINKS COMPLETES TOR DES GEANTS

INOV8 ambassador and inspirational cancer-survivor Nicky Spinks has just completed her debut Tor des Geants (TDG) – an epic 330km mountain race through the Italian Alps.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest ultra-distance races, the TDG contains 24,000-plus metres of ascent over the 330km (205 mile) course.

Nicky finished the race in 106 hours and 15 minutes, side-by-side with fellow competitor and legendary US ultra-runner Darcy Piceu (3 x winner of the Hardrock 100).

We caught up with Nicky in the days that followed.

WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THE TOR DES GEANTS?

Years ago I heard of the TDG from friends and at the time I had only done a couple of 100 milers so I didn’t think I could complete it. Since I’ve done the double rounds (read more) I have more confidence although the TDG distance at 330km is way longer than the rounds and the climb of 24,000m is also a lot more, the doubles are around 17,000m.

I was on a photo shoot with Paul Tierney (two-time finisher of the TDG) last year and we spent the whole day talking about the race. He said I should apply as it is a fantastic race and would suit me to a tee.

Nicky at the start with Paul Tierney (two-time TDG finisher and 214-peak Wainwrights record holder), who was her support crew for the duration of the race

YOU HAD LESS THAN 3 HOURS TOTAL SLEEP DURING WHOLE TDG WHICH TOOK OVER 106 HOURS, DID YOU HAVE A STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH SLEEP DEPRIVATION?

I knew I could easily miss one nights sleep. So the plan was to try and sleep on the second night where on the rounds I’ve always struggled. This worked well as I was not only ready for a sleep but my legs and feet felt battered and I had developed a chesty cough. I felt like my lungs were constricted, everyone says it was the very cold air at over 2500m. 45 mins sleep on the second night put me back on track.

The next time I slept was the following night but with less success as I woke after an hour (I was going to have 1h 30mins) and just got off running again. It was midnight and I was fine through that night (Tuesday) but come the next morning when the sun was beating down I was way too hot, I was getting heat rashes and wandering all over the path. At least there was a Refugio where I slept for 10 minutes. After that I felt a lot better.

Then that night Paul had said he would be at Oyace, and that gave me a goal. Although the section took forever I arrived there at 1am and slept well for an hour. After that I didn’t feel tired and finished the next day about 10 pm.

To keep awake – I imagine always having Taylor’s coffee bag in one water bottle and filling it up with tea (as often there was no hot water) then adding 2 sugar lumps helped!

Leaving Valgrisenche Life Base, 50km into the race

WE’VE HEARD YOU HAD A PRETTY STELLAR SUPPORT CREW?

You’re only allowed one supporter per runner, so I had Paul Tierney supporting me. I had too much stuff as usual but we ran through everything. While the bags got very disorganised, we always found what I wanted. Where Paul was invaluable was in his advice and reassurance that I was doing ok. I really looked forward to seeing him. He brought things that I hadn’t asked for like sultana croissants and also knew which CPs had the best food. On his advice I downed a huge bowl of polenta at a mountain tent while other runners turned their noses up at it. My feet were a big worry and yet Paul seemed to think they were perfect. To finish with only a little sore spot shows he was right.

A quick chat with Paul before heading out of Cogne

YOU WERE SMILING IN EVERY RACE PHOTO WE’VE SEEN – WERE THERE ANY LOW POINTS IN THE RACE?

I think there were worrying points in all the legs early on. As soon as I felt I had no breath or my legs hurt or I couldn’t descend I had a spell of worrying if I could finish. It was better to break it down into Life Bases and get from one to another. The route is amazing and over every Col is a magnificent view. This helped keep me happy as well as the early cold weather!

Nicky coming into Niel Life Base, 190km into the race

WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TDG?

It’s hard to say at the moment. I keep remembering sections and then having to work out where they were. There were a lot of food related moments where I would approach a little shed or tent and wonder what food there was – and then be offered polenta, or ravioli or fried pasta with olive oil and tomatoes on it. Then I had two omelettes and ice cream! Also at one CP I was given the biggest welcome with cows bells and horns like I’d just won the race, then a burly cheery bloke picked me up and carried me over the threshold of the hut (and then produced ravioli!).

A quick turnaround at Valtourneche Life Base, only roughly 100km to go.

WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DID YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR THE TDG?

After the Double Paddy Buckley Round (read more here) I had to rest for a month and then build my training back up by racing and supporting people on rounds. I had an extended taper in August, recommended by Paul Tierney. I couldn’t do silly miles so my highest mileage weeks were probably around 60 miles but they had 20,000m climb in them.

Nicky on her Double Paddy Buckley Round earlier in 2019

HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH THE ALTITUDE?

I wasn’t acclimatised to the altitude and in the first section there are three climbs to over 2800m. My plan was to not get out of breath but this proved to be nigh on impossible as there was snow and ice on the passes and you couldn’t just plod up at your own speed. I think the cold at altitude affected my lungs but also meant I couldn’t eat as I was to cold to. As a result, over the first 36 hours, my body took a bit of a hammering.

FUELING IS CRUCIAL – DID YOU RELY ON AID STATIONS OR WHAT YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU?

I carried a selection of my own bars, like Tunnocks and Brunch. I also tried carrying noodles for a few sections but quickly realised that every CP had some sort of soup with pasta or noodles in it and although slightly tedious it was quick and easy to eat. Then when I was energy deficient on Tuesday I just ate whatever was offered to me. I had brought over (via various vans!) a lot of rice puddings and at the Life Base stops, I had about 4 of them plus other food. I never felt sick or really off my food, but I did crave fish and chips with curry sauce!

Nicky grabbing a quick bite to eat at the last Life Base with only 50km to go.

IF YOU HAD TO SUM IT UP, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE TOR DES GEANTS?

Even when it was really hard I knew I loved the TDG. It’s bloody tough without having to shout about it. It has such stunning scenery and a route that makes sense, going over all sorts of terrain but never feeling like a convoluted route. The volunteers are wonderful with just the right amount of helpfulness without too much advice (if she wants tea in her coffee, just little “shrug of shoulders”, she can have tea in her coffee!).

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TOR DES GEANTS KIT?

I wore a Base Elite short sleeve base layer and the black Merino mid layer to start. After 30 miles I changed my base layer (I only wore 4 throughout the whole race) and put on the new Technical Mid Hoodie which I used for the rest of the race. It was brilliant. Warm and comfy with a full zip so it was very easy to get on and off. It didn’t even smell. Over that I wore the new Windshell or if leaving a town, I just wore the base layer and windproof.

Nicky wore the new Base Elite Layer and Technical Mid Hoodie, both made from recycled polyester yarns. She wore the new Windshell over the top for lightweight protection.

Up high I would put on the PROTEC SHELL and the new 3-in-1 gloves and mitts. I was so glad of the mitts! On my legs I alternated between skorts during the day and the long winter tights at night. I used the RACE ULTRA PRO 2in1 VEST and it worked very well. I was always able to get everything in and access what I needed.

The new 3-in-1 Gloves with detachable mitts, RACE ULTRA PRO 2in1 VEST and PROTEC SHELL

Nicky lacing up her TRAILROC G 280 at the Valgrisenche Life Base

I set off in the new TRAILROC G 280 and then changed to TRAILTALON 290 after 60 miles when I just wanted a change. Then my feet swelled and I changed back into a larger sized pair of TrailRocs which I wore to the finish. I loved the cushioning underneath as it’s was very rocky. I didn’t get any blisters until the last descent where some hard skin developed a sore spot.