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Kinder Scout Training Walk

Another fantastic day of training in the Dark Peak with my walking buddy, Jayne.

We covered 11 miles with over 2,000ft of ascent, taking on the iconic Jacob's Ladder before reaching the Kinder plateau. We stopped to enjoy our sandwiches and snacks while taking in the incredible views, watched closely by a few curious sheep! The day finished with a tough descent through a steep gully, scrambling over boulders and crossing streams. My knees weren't too impressed by the descent, but it was a brilliant day on the hills and another important step towards September's challenge.

The support for the challenge has been incredible already. Donations are starting to come in, and raffle prizes are arriving too. So far, we've had a fantastic local flight experience pledged, along with wine and some lovely toiletries, with more offers hopefully still to come.

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the challenge or offered support so far – it really does mean a lot.

Leicestershire 3 Peaks – A Different Kind of Test

This weekend's training took me around the Leicestershire 3 Peaks – 17.3 miles (27.8km) with 709m of ascent, completed in 6 hours 35 minutes. This walk I was sporting my Alzheimer's Society T-Shirt 😁.

Although these hills are a long way from the mountains I'll be climbing in September, it was still a really valuable day. I walked the first half with a friend before continuing the final seven miles solo, which added a different mental challenge.

The biggest lesson was the importance of fuelling properly. I didn't eat enough after lunch and could feel my energy levels dropping during the final few miles. It's a timely reminder that long days in the mountains are about much more than fitness – getting nutrition and hydration right can make just as much difference.

Overall, it felt like another positive step. The distance felt manageable, my confidence continues to grow, and each training walk is teaching me something new that I'll take into the 3×3 Peaks Challenge in September.

Training Update – Saturday 1st August

Another solid step forward last weekend. I headed out with my frined Jane, a fully loaded backpack and walking poles, covering 6.25 miles (10 km) with 313 metres of ascent.

The really encouraging part wasn't the distance or the climbing – it was how comfortable everything felt. My feet, knees, shoulder and back all held up well, in fact, I finished feeling like I could have carried on.

With just a month to go to the first weekend this was a good confidence boost.  I'm looking forward to the next biggest challenge this weekend with my first back to back walk days & the most ascent to date with my final large training walks in the Brecon Beacons.

Training Update – Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), 8th & 9th August

This was the big one! My final major training weekend before the 3x3 Peaks Challenge begins in September took me to Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) for my first real test of walking two substantial mountain days back-to-back.

On Saturday 8th August I headed out with Toni & Nige, covering 8.39 miles (13.5 km) with 971 metres of ascent, taking in four peaks over almost seven hours. It was a pretty warm day too, which made all that climbing that bit more challenging. With a fully loaded pack, it was easily my biggest climbing day of the training so far.

The descents gave my knees a bit of a workout, but overall I was really pleased with how my body coped – particularly my back and shoulders, which gave me no problems at all.

Then came the real test: getting up and doing it all again on Sunday 9th August!

This time I was joined by Rob, who is hoping to join me for a couple of the Scottish mountains during the challenge. We covered another 8.31 miles (13.4 km) with 696 metres of ascent, taking in another two peaks. It was another warm day, and my legs definitely knew they'd done a big walk the day before. The first climb felt tough, but as the day went on I actually got stronger. Even better, my knees behaved themselves on the descents and I finished feeling surprisingly good.

That made the weekend total 16.7 miles (26.9 km) and 1,667 metres of ascent over two consecutive days – by far the closest test yet of what September is going to demand.

A couple of blisters aside, I came away from Bannau Brycheiniog feeling really encouraged. There's still some training to do, but the big mountain miles are now in the bank.

Just over two weeks until the 3x3 Peaks Challenge begins!

Training Update – Bradgate Park, 15th August

Not every training walk needs to be about chasing miles, metres of ascent or another big hill!

After the much tougher weekend in Bannau Brycheiniog, last weekend’s walk at Bradgate Park was deliberately a little more relaxed. I headed out with Sam & Tracey for an easy 4.7 miles, with plenty of time for a good natter along the way and a midway stop for some lunch - of course!

One of the things I’ve really enjoyed about training for the 3x3 Peaks Challenge has been walking with lots of different people. Some walks have been big mountain days, others have been local hills or simply getting a few miles into my legs, but the company has been a big part of making all those training miles enjoyable.

last weekend wasn’t about testing myself or clocking up big numbers. It was about keeping the legs moving, enjoying being outside and spending time with good company.

And actually, with getting so close to the start of the challenge, that was exactly what I needed.

Belvoir Vale – 9.35 miles and plenty of hills - 22.08.26

With just two weeks to go until the start of my 3×3 Peaks Challenge, this was one of my last substantial training walks – and a chance to get some more climbing into my legs without heading off to the Peak District or Wales.

The Vale of Belvoir might not immediately spring to mind as mountain training territory, but if you pick your route carefully there are plenty of hills to be found!

9.35 miles | 1,850 ft (564 m) ascent | 4 hrs 46 mins moving time

Sam joined me for most of the walk and we tackled the first few miles and climbs together. When I reached the point where I was heading off for my next hill, we split up – I carried on climbing while Sam headed back towards the car.

After a little guidance on navigation before we parted company, and a couple of messages along the lines of “I'm not sure this is right...” 😂 Sam made it back, picked up the car and drove over to The Engine Yard to wait for me.

I couldn't really criticise her navigation too much though. Later in the walk I managed to follow a path that gradually became less and less path-like until I found myself pushing my way into a thicket. I persevered for a little while, but as the brambles and nettles started taking over I admitted defeat, turned around and picked up the main path again. Another useful reminder that sometimes the sensible option is simply to retrace your steps!

The aim of the walk itself was very much about repeated climbing rather than chasing distance, making use of the escarpment to build up a decent amount of ascent over the course of the day.

I was carrying my challenge pack and using my poles too, so it was another opportunity to get used to the kit I'll be relying on throughout September.

And after 9.35 miles and 1,850 ft of climbing, catching up with Sam at The Engine Yard for a very welcome beer and some food wasn't a bad way to finish the day!

Next stop: the Weaver Hills in Staffordshire for one last hilly training day before the 3×3 Peaks Challenge begins.

Then it really is time for the Lake District – and Scafell Pike, Scafell and Helvellyn.

Nine mountains. Three weekends. Three countries.

All to raise money for Maggie's Centres, Alzheimer's Society and the Stroke Association.

Weaver Hills – one final test before the challenge - 29.08.26

One last proper training walk before the 3×3 Peaks Challenge – and this time I was heading out solo to the Weaver Hills in Staffordshire.

After months of training in predominantly hot, dry weather, the weather finally decided it was time to give my wet-weather kit a proper test. It was a very wet day, but actually a really useful opportunity to find out how everything performed when the rain wasn't going anywhere!

Despite the weather, it was still a great day out complete with a couple of slightly more eventful wildlife encounters.

First came some very inquisitive horses who were clearly convinced I must be carrying food (for them) and were rather keen to investigate. Just keep moving Sarah, don't interact. Then came the bull...

I saw him as I got to a stile.  I had a little chat with him, making friends before heading into his domain. All was fine, walked past, no problem, he wasn't bothered, then, I became aware that he'd decided to follow me – fairly quickly. Keep moving Sarah, don't interact, but he got a tad to close for my liking and I turned around, looked at him and said a very firm "NO!" He did and I swiftly walked on, bricking it!

Wet-weather kit thoroughly tested, livestock negotiated successfully, and another good day of hills in the legs, plus another trig point to boot - result.

From here it's about keeping moving, looking after myself and getting everything ready.

Next stop: the Lake District.

The training is done. Now it's time for the real thing – starting with Scafell Pike, Scafell and Helvellyn, the three highest mountains in England.

Nine mountains. Three weekends. Three countries.

Here we go...

All to raise money for Maggie's Centres, Alzheimer's Society and the Stroke Association.