Enjoyed reading that, thanks for posting the link. You could really follow him up the route, and visualise where he was at each stage. It made me want to do the Pennine Way again, walking though, and sleeping at night!
I think one of the things I like about the Spine Race is that the competitors aren't in their first youth. It's nice to think that there is a sport where you aren't looking to retire at 30! The blog really brought out the tactical side of the race, and the value of experience.