Training update

Preparations are going well for the PW challenge in aid of Help for Heroes. At last, time and fitness have provided the opportunity to go over 100 miles in seven days for the first time in years.

Passing this milestone was aided by another recce of the Pennine Way on Tuesday along the route from Widdop in the company of Julie who will be one of the supporters on this section.

Knowing that Julie was conscious of the approaching Three Peaks race and the need to start winding down for this classic event the day started for me with a solo 20 minute warm up along the road to Walshaw Dean reservoir and then back to the meeting point.

The weather couldn't have been better, not a cloud in the sky and virtually no wind as we traversed the slopes of Heptonstall Moor, heading for Colden and then on to Calderdale. We crossed the main road and canal and headed up into Callis Wood, picking up the route of the Howarth Hobble to drop back down into Hebden Bridge. Declining the full challenge of the climb up to Heptonstall we skirted the tree clad side of the valley to emerge at the car park by New Bridge Hall. From there it was a pleasant trek up the valley, past the NT mill and Hardcastle Crags, keeping to the valley trails to return to the cars.

At this point the Garmin showed 14.5 miles, enough for Julie but less than my target for the day. So it was back up the road to Walshaw Dean, a chance to recce the official PW route - not the tarmac option used by most on the Hobble. Still short of miles, a run round the higher of the Walshaw reservoirs was an attractive choice which took me full circuit to the tarmac road and back down towards Widdop.

Halfway along the tarmac road is a track to the left where two walkers were encountered who did not conceal their delight in heading for the Pack Horse Inn across the fields. The track seemed a good choice to add more miles and this took me eventually up the road to the pub where the two walkers were forlornly stood outside. The pub did not open lunchtimes till Easter - a bad business decision as three cars pulled up in as many minutes.

The poor walkers were faced with the long walk back to Howarth with no food and no drink in the midday heat. At this point I surrendered my remaining Lucozade Sport to them as I was nearly back at the car.

The morning had been a great outing in superb conditions over a varied and attractive route. The pace had been leisurely, five hours for 20.5 miles, but valuable as a recce.