Knees, Peaks, and New Beginnings
The "Old Man" Realisation
I'll be honest: the spirit is willing, but the cartilage is thinning. After years of sports, the injuries have started to stick around longer and longer each time. I've reached that age where a sudden sprint for a ball results in a six-week recovery perdiod and an ice-pack permanently on my hamstring.
But I'm not ready for the armchair just yet.
I'm pivoting. I'm swapping the frantic, joint-crunching pace of competitive sports for the steady, lung-busting endurance of hiking. The goal? The National Three Peaks Challenge. But before I hit the big ones in Scotland and Wales, I'll be cutting my teeth (and testing my knees) in the South Peak District.
Why the South Peak?
The South Peak—or the White Peak—is essentially in my backyard. It’s a landscape of deep limestone gorges, rolling green plateaus, and some of the most stubborn mud in the UK.
It’s the perfect training ground because it’s deceptive. You think you’re in for a gentle stroll through a dale, and suddenly you’re facing a vertical "slog" up a grassy bank that has your calves screaming. It’s exactly the kind of "low-impact, high-effort" fitness I need to rebuild my strength without another trip to the physio.
The "New Hobby" Kit Bill
Getting started meant more than just finding an old pair of trainers. To maximise comfort and survive the Derbyshire drizzle, I’ve had to invest in some proper kit. It turns out, "buying the gear" is half the fun (and half the bank balance).
The Mighty Kit List
For those of us nursing old sports injuries, these three items are non-negotiable:
- Proper clothing: A half-decent waterproof jacket, some thermals, windproof trousers. If I feel even the slightest draught on my skin I'll feel that all my money has gone to waste!
- Sturdy Boots: In the South Peak, the mud is legendary. I’ve gone for high-ankle support to stop my ankles from rolling on loose limestone.
- A Proper 30L Daysack: Because carrying everything in a drawstring gym bag is a one-way ticket to a trapped nerve. Weight distribution is everything.
The Mission: Three Peaks or Bust
This isn't just about fresh air; it’s about an objective. I need a challenge to aim for otherwise I just won't get out there. I am dragging my son along as well, to get him some time off of his Xbox mostly. Once we've gotten used to things and broken in some of our gear, we'll look at training for the National Three Peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon).
The South Peak is where we’ll build the "Mighty" lungs and legs required for that 24-hour challenge. We’ll be documenting the training loops, the kit failures, and the slow process of getting fit again—one limestone stile at a time.