Well firstly, exactly 3 weeks today at this very time I should be nearing the bottom of Ben Nevis. I've set myself a target of 5 hrs 30 for it which should be easily manageable as I'll be jumping out of the minibus at the bottom (well, not literally) full of energy.
Earlier today I walked 13 miles. I don't have any mountains near me, or any particularly big hills. I'm nearly 2 hours away from the nearest National Park, Snowdonia, to train on. As well as training on terrain and slopes as similar to the ones I'll be going up in my challenge, I've realised that I need to test myself for long distances over the period of time I'll be walking for. So with basic walking gear on, I set off to Frodsham Hill from my house. It was winding country lanes most of the way, so I was walking on smooth and not particularly challenging terrain but I wanted to test my general endurance fitness. I walked the 13 miles in a reasonable 3 hrs 20- with only very few and brief stops. This also included going up steep Frodsham Hill to Frodsham crag, where there are lots of sandstone boulders and cliff faces which I go rock climbing on. I had a look around here, and paused my GPS watch for 30 mins or so. My watch is going to be an extremely valuable tool in my challenge- it gives me my distance, my pace, my time and my average mile times etc. This hill was the hardest part of the walk. I averaged a good 4mph for the whole of the walk, which isn't bad considering I had done a previous 2 mile dog walk and 10 mile bike ride (to and from school) that morning. The only downside was that I forgot to put on my walking socks and soon found myself with sore feet walking quickly on the hard roads. I also need to invest in some Vaseline for the challenge! Ouch!
Meanwhile mum picked up some energy isotonic gels and a powdered isotonic drink for the challenge to give me extra boosts. I'm only meant to have one per mountain. I originally planned to stock up my calories (also shown on my GPS watch) via Snickers and Mars Bars. Well through research I've found that these actually give you a sudden boost when needed but also a sudden downfall which leaves you feeling more tired. Isotonic energy drinks/gels give you a sudden peak of lots of energy which lasts- should be handy when I'm lagging behind on Snowdon... I've also ordered a vinyl banner, 90 x 40cm, with all of my awesome charities logos and sponsors on with all relevant info. I'll hold it up in triumph when I get a picture taken of myself at the summit of each mountain- firstly as proof that I've reached the top and also to promote my event!
That's all for now folks. Tick-tock....
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