So, bright and early at 5.25am Sat morning, myself and 8 running buddies sleepily loaded our kit and ourselves onto the mini bus ready for our big adventure to the Yorkshire Dales. I think we were more excited than a load of kids going on our first day outing!! π Beautiful weather, infact probably a bit too hot.
Some were planning to sleep on the journey, but those of us who were too excited continued chatting and going through all the kit we had brought and laughing at how much food we had all got between us!! Having sprained my ankle three weeks ago, it was well strapped but I was a little nervous about slipping and hurting it again but put that to the back of my mind. I can fall over my feet at the best of times, so was expecting a stumble at some point!
We arrived at the car park, everyone trotting off to the loos as the pre nerves came in and that was it, watches set, off we went. There's a brilliant picture of us running to the first mountain and our 'running coach' explaining the safety rules about staying with each other, shouting up if we needed to stop or have a rest etc etc and we all taking a large gasp of breath as we looked up at what we were about to walk up. Strangely, it went very quiet at this point!!π
First mountain slowly walked and climbed, watching every step as it was very steep and sometimes slippy. Absolutely elated when we got down to the bottom and began running to the next one. The next peak was flipping tough, the ascent just seemed to go on forever, this really was the test of how strong the legs were! This is where I had a bit of a stumble, but luckily it was a very soft landing and it was only my ego that was bruised!!
The killer was peak 3, that really did know how to test us, and test us it did. We had a couple of people who did struggle, one of which had a really bad period of cramping and we did think at one point we would have to take him back, but with water, jelly babies and some super flap jacks he was soon back on his feet and with us again.
We did it in just less than 9 hours which is what we were aiming for.
What Im super proud of is that at no point did I allow myself to think I couldn't or wouldn't it do it. I arranged only a couple of days before a fundraiser for Alzheimer's Research, as my mum has the awful disease and I reckoned if I was going to do it, I may as well try and raise some funds. I only did that on Tuesday night and its raised 230 pounds so far (Ive lost pound symbol from my keyboard!)
legs were fine yesterday, today, well thats a completely different story. Calves and quads very sore, even too sore to massage or use the foam roller. Walking up stairs is ok, walking down, Im having to do it sideways!π¬
Couldn't work out how to post multiple pics which I believe we can on here if someone can tell me how? Anyway, the pic is my medal, which I'm sooooooo proud of!!ππͺ
Now Ive got post event blues, need the next challenge!!!π€
Written by
Hedgehogs123
Metric Marathon
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Oh WOW Hedgehogs, what an adventure you all had. Simply amazing. I can imagine you all having the best time, and how wonderful that you all looked out for each other. β€οΈ You all deserve massive pats on the back.
And well done for raising money for that very worthwhile charity. Very close to my heart too, as my elderly mum had dementia when she passed away in 2019. π
Oh, you need to download Pic Collage (or similar). It enables you to send several pics at once, all in one frame. Itβs really good. π
thank you, yes dementia is awful isnt it. Mum is at the stage where she doesn't know who I am now, a stage I have always dreaded π, but it is what it is, and I can't change it.
Thanks for the advice on the uploading of photos, Ive got some great ones , just couldn't work out how to upload more than 1.
Just hoping the old DOMS don't stay around too long!
That is an incredible feat Hedgehogs. Distance, elevation and, you hit the target you set for yourselves, so pace was right too. You missed out the important bitβ¦.post run refuelling. Always provides a happy ending π
thank you, am feeling quite proud!! . All my running buddies had fish and chips on the way home but Id taken so much food, I ate my way through that!!π
thank you, I must say it an absolutely brilliant thing to do, very hot day and very high mountains but so worth it, surprised myself that I can do anything like that!π
Congratulations Hedgehogs123 on completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks, which incidentally also qualifies you for your metric marathon badge!
I can now confess I was quite concerned for you, given your niggles and how little trail and hill running experience you've had. The clue though is in your attitude: "at no point did I allow myself to think I couldn't or wouldn't it do it." That makes such a difference.
Hope your legs recover soon!
(PS I second PicCollage, apps like that are the only way you can include multiple photos in one post on here.)
woo hoo, another badge, I love it, haha worth it just for that!!!!π.
I knew you were concerned but you offered some great encouragement and really made me think about what I was taking on. I will admit to wondering at times if I could do it, particularly as three months ago I hadn't done any hill or trail training and then spraining my ankle three weeks before. However, on the day, I was absolutely determined to do it. Yes it was tough, my legs, stamina and emotional resilience were definately tested and it was very hot (factor 50 came in handy!) but Im so proud of myself and my running friends. They were the best bunch of people I could have with me, so we laughed, some cursed and some struggled but we started it together and we finished it together. π
I was wondering how you had got on, especially in such warm weather. What an amazing achievement for you all and, although it was obviously a very tough challenge thereβs a great sense of camaraderie and mutual support in your report. Really well done πππ
Thank you, it was an amazing experience, but my legs today are so sore!! But it was worth it, as hard as it was, and it was hard, I do feel so proud of myself and our team. Just shows you what you can do if you allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone! Hope you're ok??
You have every right to feel proud. Hope your legs are feeling better soon (took mine about 3 days after my first half marathon and that was relatively flat π)! Iβm good thanks π
That's amazing Hedgehogs123 ! What an adventure - I'm so glad you enjoyed it and completed it after all your training! Well done for raising that much so fast. That's what I fund raise for after losing my Nan and now caring for my mother in law with it. Hope your legs get better fast !!
Ooh thank you I'll try that!. I don't want to come across as bragging, I just want to show other people that sometimes when we step outside our comfort zone, what can seem impossible can actually be Possible.
I never ever imagined 3 years ago when I re started my running journey that I would do a 10km never mind this!
I just need some hints from others now about how to help relieve the DOMS, because even foam rolling is too painful!! π΅βπ«
It sounds to have been very challenging but incredibly exciting and exhilarating too. Highs and lows and not just the terrain...but you did it.
What a dreadful disease, dementia is... my own Mum had it, and my husband's stepfather also. It is heartbreaking to watch the person you know and love, disappear slowly. Mr OF is in the early stages ...
You ran this for a great cause, you knew your possible limitations, but... "...at at no point did I allow myself to think I couldn't or wouldn't it do it".
That says it all. True grit? I should say so.
I hope the aches and pains are beginning to ease now and I bet you already have some ideas growing, for your next running venture?
Thank you. This is us when we'd finished and were awarded our medals, funny how the tiredness disappeared at that moment! We were asked to jump in the air hence the funny expressions!! π€£π€£
Wow you did brilliantly,congratulations Hedgehogs123 πͺ,that must feel like such an achievement! I've got some friends doing it later in the year! πxxx
It's a fantastic experience, flipping tough if you haven't done anything like that before, ( which I hadn't) but so worth it! I'm sure your friends will love it too!
Thank you, I'm really chuffed because it was comply outside my comfort zone, but there was no way I was not going to complete it, especially with raising money! Would like the use of my legs again though!!! π€£
Wow! What an amazing challenge and fantastic achievement! Well done - no wonder your legs are complaining! Lovely, hard earned bling - hang that somewhere everyone can see!πππ
Thank you, yep we were all totally elated when we finished. Sunday my legs were fine, but yesterday the dreaded Dom's arrived and walking downstairs became a massive challenge!! π€£π€£ Oh yes that medal was well and truly earned!!
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Another (long) Great South Run Report 
Ran my long run of 5 miles today, even when it was dark and raining! But the battle started afterwards...
10 miles yesterday and boy do my thighs know it! π
The view from the other side