Yorkshire 3 Peaks, done and dusted, - 24.5 miles(39.2.km) and 1585m (5200ft) of ascent -but wow do my legs know it!!!!!

[Hedgehogs123]

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!! 😂 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!!😂

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!😬

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!!😀💪

Now Ive got post event blues, need the next challenge!!!🤔

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

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. ❤️ 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. 💔

Oh, you need to download Pic Collage (or similar). It enables you to send several pics at once, all in one frame. It’s really good. 😀

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

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 😔, 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!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

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 bit….post run refuelling. Always provides a happy ending 😋

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

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!!😂

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Wow 😯 what an amazing thing to do,

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

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!😀

[Cmoi Marathon]

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.)

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

woo hoo, another badge, I love it, haha worth it just for that!!!!😂.

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. 😀

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

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 there’s a great sense of camaraderie and mutual support in your report. Really well done 👏👏👏

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

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??

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

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 😂)! I’m good thanks 😊

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

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 !!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Absolutely loved it, but it was tough!! Yes dementia is a horrible disease isn't it, 😒.

Legs were fine yesterday, today, they're really sore!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Just awesome!!! You should be super proud of yourself on so many levels!

Pic Collage is great, but if you want simple you could try replying to your post with a pic in each one - I think that would work!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to linda9389]

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!! 😵‍💫

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Soaking in the bath with epsom salts? gentle stretches?

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yep trying that. You should see me walking down the stairs, it's hilarious!! 🤣

[Oldfloss Administrator]

What a fantastic achievement!

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?

Brilliant !

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you again. Quads still sore but hopefully that will ease as we have a gentle trail run planned Tomm night!😬

[OldManRunning Half Marathon]

Well done you sounds exhausting 😁

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to OldManRunning]

It was, but such a fantastic experience!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

A huge well done and congratulations to you Hedgehogs!! That’s quite an achievement 💪 You should be thrilled, which I’m sure you are!

Being with others must have given you some welcome support and distraction so well done everyone 👏

Ouchy ouch on the legs, I’m sure they’ll settle down in a few days. But I’ll second a bath with Epsom salts….

I use LiveCollage for my photos, free and easy to use.

Great bling by the way 😍

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

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!! 🤣🤣

Relief at completing 3peak challenge!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Haha! Great photo!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Wow you did brilliantly,congratulations Hedgehogs123 💪,that must feel like such an achievement! I've got some friends doing it later in the year! 😁xxx

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

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!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Wow what an achievement Hedgehogs123 🤩 Fantastic to read about it. You did brilliantly 👍👏👏👏

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

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!!! 🤣

[00marks Marathon]

Thats a great effort. Hope you'll soon be able to walk down stairs normally!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to 00marks]

Me too!! I'm still going down sideways!! 🤣🤣

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations. Amazing achievement!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thank you, it does feel good to know I've done it. Just need my quads to hurry up and heal now!! 🤣

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

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!👏🙂🏅

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

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!! 🤣🤣 Oh yes that medal was well and truly earned!!