On Thursday we climbed Snowdon. Charlie and I drove from Paignton and Kim and Jenn drove up from Weymouth and arrived just after us at Midnight. We discovered the joy that is Travelodge. £55 for a room and all four of us managed to squeeze into the room. Not so much a squeeze for Charlie and I, we had the double bed, Jenn had the pull out bed Kim unfortunately (extra unfortunately given that she’d booked the room) had to sleep on the bench seat, no sheet, a sleeping bag with a broken zip, an uncomfortable mattress and a draft from the window were less than ideal, I guess it’ll be someone elses turn for the bench next time.
After a gorgeous full English breakfast on an industrial estate near the Travelodge we made our way back to Snowdon. We had to make a small detour on the way because of a closed road. The detour was slightly longer because kim didn’t quite believe that when the sign said road closed what they meant was road closed. The drive was stunning, autumn really is the best time of the year the colours were amazing.
Luckily we got the last 2 spaces in the car park. 10 mins of putting on every item of walking clothing I own (it can be very cold up the top apparently) and I was ready to go. We decided to take Pyg path up. Over the first 20minutes I gradually removed each layer of clothes until my rucksack was rammed. I have to admit that having been overtaken by several groups of small children I considered turning back several times in the first half of the walk. I was pretty sure I could make it but this was supposed to be a practice walk for Charlie and Jenn and I was definitely holding them up. These thoughts were just fleeting and I did carry on, wishing as I did that I’d kept up my coast path walking over the last few months, how is it possible to get this unfit so quickly? I got a break when we ended up on a narrow and steep part of the path behind an old couple (our quess was that the bloke was in his mid 70s) they went very slowly so we got a bit of a rest.
We had a five minute break after an hour and another one after two hours, happily by three hours we were up the top. The girls were a bit disappointed by the time but I think they could have done it at least 40mins faster without me. We took a couple of photos on the top, had a coffee in the café and tried to light some candles in memory of my mum (too windy) before putting all our clothes back on (it really is cold up the top) and starting our decent.
Before long the clothes removal started again. It’s definitely easier going down than going up but it’s still pretty challenging. We chose Miners Path for the walk down. I’ve much steeper at first but then levels our around the lakes. Once we got back below the cloud (it was only foggy at the very top) the views were fabulous (the lakes are challenging me to swim them….hmmm next time). Once we were on the flatter bits I mistakenly assumed we were near to the car park, it seemed to take forever to get there though. Definitely some work is required on the speed walking. I’m thinking of getting a watch which’ll tell me that sort of info.
So having chatted through all the pressing issues in our lives and a number of frivolous ones we eventually made it to the car park. Just before a rain shower. The weather had stayed beautiful all day, perfect walking weather.
I’ve been hobbling round like an old woman for the last 2 days, the flat is fine but when it comes to stairs I’m having to lower myself down one step at a time. I’m not blaming the walking, surely it must be the 12 hours spent in the car. I’m off for a swim this afternoon hopefully that’ll straighten things out.
So well done to us on getting our training well under way.
Kim didn’t manage to get a place in the London Marathon, I think the entry timing was a bit unfortunate it had to take a back seat to all the work she was doing sorting out Mums stuff but as a golden lining she had got a place in the Edinburgh Marathon. This gives us all an excuse to go to Edinburgh at the end of May for a jolly (sorry to be top supporters!!) Her training is going well, she’s managing 10k runs in around a hour and the hills are getting easier. She’s managing to keep a balance between training and fun though - I forgot to ask her what the Mojitos she was drinking last week were about, must remember to follow that one up.
Charlie has a backpack baby carrier which she’s taken Jake out in twice now so that she can get some walking in while Ollie is at school.
Jenn is following my hill walking tips, although judging by my performance on Snowdon I’m not sure that anyone should be following my tips.
I’ve been looking up some long distance swims for next year to help me stay focused and am planning on joining the regular weekday morning outdoor swimming group that has started in Torquay so that I stay in acclimatised, I’m thinking I might try non wetsuit? Will see how that goes.
Next Thursday we will all be doing the MacMillan Fire Walk in Exeter, we will be supported by some of our friends and family who will also be going it (Kate Allen, Pete Scoble, Amy Plowman and Carolyn Parry) I’ll write about how this went in the next blog.
Three sisters, three challenges
In September 2011 Maggie Glazsher (our mum) died following an initial diagnosis of breast cancer in 2003, to celebrate her life and to do something to help others we are undertaking a series of callenges
Kim Ellis will be doing the Edinburgh Marathon on 27 May 2012 for McMillan Cancer Support
Jenn George and Charlie Martin will be doing the three peaks challenge on 29 June 2012 for Welmar Hospice
Queenie Martin will be doing a channel swim in 2012 (date yet to be confirmed) for Breakthrough breast cancer
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