St Vincents helps those who are really struggling in Leeds (not just financially) through their ESOL, literacy and IT classes, counselling services, debt advice team, a work and volunteering programme as well as their community shop and cafe. Our friend Kat works for them as a fundraiser & volunteer co-ordinator.

St Vincents is doing the The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge walk on 22nd June. This is approximately 24.5 miles, taking in the 3 peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside & Ingleborough. One of us suggested trying to run it. I can't remember who.

Kat and I both have taut & sculpted athletic physiques with buttocks of steel. We also both possess a reckless and a stubborn streak. And neither of us has any experience of fell running. Beyond this, there are few similarities. She is the youth; I am the experience. She is the talent; I am the graft. She is the whippet; I am the packhorse. She is the wild card; I am the metronome. She is a poser; I haven't a clue. She has way more potential; but I've paid more tax. It's a winning combination. We're planning to run as much of the route as we can on jelly babies & rehydration solution, to enjoy ourselves with the others taking part, and to raise some money for the project.

So please donate if you are able. Thank you for your support.

Julie

xx

 

Update 24/6/13: Well we did it. 24 miles, 3 peaks, 6 hours 55 mins (6 hours 10 of moving time), several Mars bars, a few litres of rehydration solution, a bag of jelly babies and a soggy map. It was 85% pleasure (of the masochistic variety), 10% regret, 4% bitter self recrimination and 1% despair. Not bad statistics. Fluid balance and all matters relating to plumbing went perfectly. Temperature regulation not so well, we were under dressed & both got quite hypothermic coming down off Whernside when we were wet & tired.
Kat towed me for the last third, except for the last 2 miles when her legs went & I towed her. She has no stamina. It's one of the hardest things I have ever done. There has been no psychological progress. I would definitely have another go