The 3 peaks

I feel I ought to write down somewhere about my 3 peaks experience.  It's not quite enough to go alongside the coast to coast and dales way diaries on walkingbass.walkingplaces.co.uk so it'll live here on running bass instead.  But, believe me, I didn't run.

I've always liked the idea of the 3 peaks.  The Yorkshire ones, that is.  In the same way that the coast to coast has always appealed but the pennine way hasn't (although that's starting to change), the Yorkshire 3 has always seemed like a great idea whereas the National 3 has seemed like one of those silly challenges.  Then, having moved to within an hour of the place, it's come to the fore as something I'd like to do.  My goal was to finish it, within the 12 hour limit.

Rather than finding a group of people or doing some sponsorship nonsense, I just decided to take a day off and do it.  I did a little bit of preparation - visiting each hill individually to get to know the terrain, a day of walking on Ilkley moor to get used to being by myself on the hill, and even the fitness from my running.  I had Elspeth to support by meeting me at Ribblehead and the Hill Inn with extra supplies - primarily water.  As I got through about 6 litres, that was a complete necessity.

I took a Friday off to do it, to avoid the crowds.  Definitely a good decision.  I started at 6:30 on a lovely day, with the sun peeking above Penyghent as I climbed it.  I felt pretty good on the way up, not stopping except to sort out my phone on the shoulder before the steep bit.  It's a nice easy mountain to climb.  The way down is pretty easy too, it only drops to a plateau of moorland rather than all the way back to the valley, and is always walking rather than 'stepping' down steep slopes.  It's then a long walk to Whernside, which I was motoring along.  I realised I was going to get there ahead of the earliest I suggested Elspeth meet me at Ribblehead, so I slowed down a little but was still ahead of 9 hour pace.

I decided to go the long way round on Whernside.  We've been that way before and it's a much nicer walk up along the railway, up past some waterfalls, and then along the ridge.  Probably added a couple of miles to the day but I was feeling good.  A nice stop to eat, although this was probably my mistake, in that I didn't put too much away at that point, and I found it difficult to bring myself anything to eat later.  The way down from Whenrside I started to feel tired, with the stepping down the steep bits that went on and on.

I still felt ok when I got to Elspeth.  Hot, as it was a very sunny day, but like I would manage to go on.  I hadn't slowed down much - was just slower than the 9 hour pace but I'd added extra distance on Whenside.

Going up Southerscales things started going wrong.  As soon as I started going up I felt exhausted.  No energy, but I kept going, determined not to stop until the bottom of the very steep bit.  I started having to fight rising bile in my throat too - I felt the need to be sick but knew I ought to hold on to what energy I'd put in my stomach.  And then I wasn't able to eat, not even cereal bars or gummies. When I did reach the resting place, I sat down for about 20 minutes.  It took that long to eat a cereal bar, and to convince my body to keep moving.  Getting up the side took another 20 minutes and was in 5-10 step chunks.  When I did get to the top I just wanted to get down again.  And then it was long.  Really long.  I couldn't think about anything except steps in front of me.  I couldn't really focus my eyes for much of it.  I did end up being sick at the side of the path and felt marginally better.  When I finally reached Horton station and Elspeth I just cried.  I don't know quite how I did it, but I managed to overcome the challenge.

So, what went well?  It was an awesome experience, it was great to have the support, it was lovely to be out there on my own, and I think I could do it again.  What went badly?  It was hot and I struggled with that.  I didn't eat enough consistently to keep my energy up.  And I may have gone too quickly at the start.  I finished in 10:42 which feels respectable.  And, contrary to what I said in Horton at the end, I want to do it again.  I may take someone with me next time.