In the summer of 2013, after very little preparation me and daughter attempted the Yorkshire 3 Peaks and failed. Below is the account of the preparation from my old blog, copied here just for information.
The account is incomplete, but on Tuesday 7th August 2013 we managed to walk Pen-y-gent in a very slow 5 hours. I had a very painful knee and +Beccy Fairbank blisters were open sores. The partial route is recorded here.
The links do not work, but all of the routes can be found here.
I have an old friend (he says he's young!) who for the last few years has been trying to get me to do several walks with him, including the Yorkshire 3 Peaks (Y3P). As he is a Policeman and I am a Teacher, I would guess that his fitness level is much better than mine, so I have so far declined his offers. Recently, a student at my school did the Y3P walk as part of their DofE award, and that got me thinking.
I happened to casually mentioning this to my daughter - big mistake. I have just booked a pitch in a campsite, and in 16 days time we will attempt the Y3P!
My current fitness level is not good. Not quite couch potato, but definitely some sort of vegetable in a very relaxed position. In the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams says "I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's..", and yes I do. In fact it actually is, as I live in a small village, and the local chemist is about 2 miles away.
I realise there is no way that I will be fully prepared for this 24 mile hike, but I feel that I need to ease my body into it a little over the next 17 days. Below is my diary. (Also my 17yr old daughter walking with me. She is slightly fitter and should have little problems)
Day 1 - 20th July
Walked .6 miles each way (a total of 1.2 miles) to the New Village Hall in Eastrea.
Day 2 - 21st july
Wrote this blog, and thought about walking to the chemist. Realised I did not need anything from the Chemist, although if I did walk there, then blister cream and plasters might be needed. This is obviously a vicious circle thing, so decided against it.
Day 3 - 22nd July
My first real exercise. As part of the last two days of school, my Zone (Zone = House) decided that we'd do a sponsored walk around Sawtry. 4.25 miles at a very leisurely pace, in the baking hot sun.
Day 4 - 23rd July
Last day of school - no exercise. Borrowed a 3 Peaks guide book from a colleague.
Day 5 - 24th July
First day of holidays - definitely no exercise
Day 6 - 25th July
I can feel a routine setting in - no exercise. Did order some walking poles, and an OS map of the area.
Day 7 - 26th July
After some late night reading on a Y3P website, I am now in panic mode. Exercise routine re-booted.
For some reason my GPS was not working so this is what it recorded
But from a previous ride, here is the actual route
The timing on today's route was correct 1hr 6min 52 seconds, which is the fastest I've done this route so far.
Walked to the pub. I get together with a few mates in the last Friday of the month to drink Whisky.
1 mile (Yes I know is says Cycling - but I walked.
I waked back from the pub as well, but forgot to track it.
Day 8 - 27th July
Oh dear. Too much whisky and beer last night. Not feeling like any sort of exercise today. We went shopping and bough some new walking boots.
Day 9 - 28th July
Sunday is the Lord's day, a day of rest. It says so in the Bible so it must be true. But I did make some high energy Flapjack - Oats, Honey, Peanut Butter, chopped mixed nuts and mixed dried fruit. This first batch was a bit runny, but tasted good and is packed with everything we'll need to do this walk. Will make another batch next weekend to take with us.
Day 10 - 29th July
Did the usual stamina building bike ride. Quickest time so far.
Day 11 - 30th July
I woke up with a very bad back this morning. I do suffer from time to time and know the quickest way to get over it is rest and gentle slow movement. So no exercise today.
Day 12 - 31st July
Still a little too stiff today. Resting as we have planned a 20 miles walk tomorrow. Walking poles came today - just in time for tomorrow. Cooked some pasta just before bed, so take with us tomorrow.
Amazon have been stalking me and suggested a different 3 Peaks guide to the one I have borrowed. Ordered it.
Day 13 - 1st August.
So we got up at 4.15 and left the house at 5.00, planning to do 20 miles in the not so hilly Fens. Bex's idea for the early start - she wanted to get done by lunchtime as she had plans for the afternoon.
Made a good start, although Bex has been away so had not had time to wear in her boots. Blisters started to form within a couple of miles. By 5 miles she was in pain but soldiered on. (Did a bit of First Aid with plasters and antiseptic - but no real comfort). We decided to cut short the 20 miles, but still managed a respectable 14.5 miles - most of which she was walking with blisters. My only ache was in my left buttock - not sure what/why but quite painful towards the end - and for the rest of the day!
Learnt a few lessons. Wear in boots before long walk. Needs MUCH more energy/food then we anticipated. 14.5 miles on flat is not easy. 24 up and down might kill us!
Amazon 3 Peaks guide book arrived.
Day 14 - 2nd August
Still awaiting my OS map - but have loaded the GPS co-ordinates of the route into my HTC just in case.
Buttock still sore, and leg muscles a bit tight, but my recovery generally good. Bex, on the other hand, has very raw/sore backs of ankles. This, pardon the pun, might be our "Achillies Heel".
Thinking about doing a short bike ride later, but not sure at the moment.
More tomorrow...
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