We were looking for a challenge and thought the Yorkshire 3 peaks would be would be good for the three of us - a nice family walk. As i am writing this with aching legs we all must have been mad!
We had a recce when we arrived the day before and realised that the actual three peaks race was on so we knew we would have loads of company. Seven o'clock the next morning we were in the car park , boots on and ready to go, I am not sure Leanne and Del knew what they were letting themselves into but whatever it was i am sure they would deal with it.
It wasn't long after we started that the rain started too. A drizzle at first but as we climbed Pen-y-Ghent it got worse - Still plenty of spirit though.
The further up we went the stronger the wind and rain got to such an extent that it was a struggle to stand up and we were soaked. The tactic for the day was no long stops so a quick photo on the top to capture the conditions and it was first one down and onto the next.
As we came of the hill the wind relented and as we headed over the moors the rain held up a little too. The damage was done though and it would take us until the next hill to dry out but in the meantime the paths were in a bad way and very muddy and slippy. Although the photo's don't do the tricky bits justice.
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It is surprising how fast the time went and it wasn't too long till we were walking down the road to Ribblehead to meet up with Mum. We were determined not to hang about so she walked with us for a while. As we worked our way up Whernside the going got tougher and the muscles at the back of leannes knees got more painful.The views were spectacular now and it was amazing how far we had come and were perhaps half way in distance but struggling.
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As we neared the top Leannes left knee was in a really bad way and it was a struggle. This was her moment when the muscle got much worse and thoughts of completing were in doubt. A brave face on things was needed.
It was a hard struggle up to the top and if the challenge wasn't hard enough the wind was ferocious and we were all blown over at separate time.
The top was managed though and another quick photo and we were heading down.
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The way down was tricky with a damaged knee and as usual was a really scary drop off. In a lot of pain now we pushed on to the pub where mum waiting. Unfortunately Leanne's race was run but a brilliant effort.
Del was feeling a little better getting more determined that she wanted to finish. All those hours in the Gym were really helping. For me i could have give up too but couldn't let Del go on her own. We had about 4 and a half hours to get in the 12 hours so we both thought we had a good chance. As we left the pub and walked up to Ingleborough the path was flat and we were feeling good. A good pull up to the face and still felt good. A little cautious at the hight but we we were off and all i could see was Del's backside!
The top was soon done and we were heading down both well pleased with the shape we were in but it was a long way still to go. We had looked at the time and knew we were ok and i think we were celebrating a bit early as we both wound down a little, the adrenalin sickness kicked in and suddenly it all seemed a lot harder. I think Del hit the "WALL" with 2 miles to go as a realisation came over that we still had another hour to go. The last bit was a real drag and we hauled ourselves across the fields, over the train track and into the car park where we surprised Leanne and Ju by being early.
11 hours 27 mins for Del's first time and my second best from 4 times - Awesome! Thank you girls - great spirit and determination.
It wasn't long after we started that the rain started too. A drizzle at first but as we climbed Pen-y-Ghent it got worse - Still plenty of spirit though.
The further up we went the stronger the wind and rain got to such an extent that it was a struggle to stand up and we were soaked. The tactic for the day was no long stops so a quick photo on the top to capture the conditions and it was first one down and onto the next.
As we came of the hill the wind relented and as we headed over the moors the rain held up a little too. The damage was done though and it would take us until the next hill to dry out but in the meantime the paths were in a bad way and very muddy and slippy. Although the photo's don't do the tricky bits justice.
.JPG)
It is surprising how fast the time went and it wasn't too long till we were walking down the road to Ribblehead to meet up with Mum. We were determined not to hang about so she walked with us for a while. As we worked our way up Whernside the going got tougher and the muscles at the back of leannes knees got more painful.The views were spectacular now and it was amazing how far we had come and were perhaps half way in distance but struggling.
.JPG)
As we neared the top Leannes left knee was in a really bad way and it was a struggle. This was her moment when the muscle got much worse and thoughts of completing were in doubt. A brave face on things was needed.
It was a hard struggle up to the top and if the challenge wasn't hard enough the wind was ferocious and we were all blown over at separate time.
The top was managed though and another quick photo and we were heading down.
.JPG)
The way down was tricky with a damaged knee and as usual was a really scary drop off. In a lot of pain now we pushed on to the pub where mum waiting. Unfortunately Leanne's race was run but a brilliant effort.
Del was feeling a little better getting more determined that she wanted to finish. All those hours in the Gym were really helping. For me i could have give up too but couldn't let Del go on her own. We had about 4 and a half hours to get in the 12 hours so we both thought we had a good chance. As we left the pub and walked up to Ingleborough the path was flat and we were feeling good. A good pull up to the face and still felt good. A little cautious at the hight but we we were off and all i could see was Del's backside!
The top was soon done and we were heading down both well pleased with the shape we were in but it was a long way still to go. We had looked at the time and knew we were ok and i think we were celebrating a bit early as we both wound down a little, the adrenalin sickness kicked in and suddenly it all seemed a lot harder. I think Del hit the "WALL" with 2 miles to go as a realisation came over that we still had another hour to go. The last bit was a real drag and we hauled ourselves across the fields, over the train track and into the car park where we surprised Leanne and Ju by being early.
11 hours 27 mins for Del's first time and my second best from 4 times - Awesome! Thank you girls - great spirit and determination.
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