Training to conquer the national Three Peaks challenge for Family Fund!

Matt works for Mixd, a web design agency based in Leeds. He decided to take up the challenge on behalf of Family Fund after working with the charity on designing our new website. While working on the site, Matt was inspired by the family stories he read and wanted to raise funds to help us support even more families.

We caught up with Matt as he prepares for one of his biggest challenges yet.

How is training going for the National Three Peaks Challenge?

“Training is going well! No injuries to speak of and I’m on track.”

What are you doing to prepare yourself?

“Running is my main method of keeping fit. So I’ve kept up with that and been gradually increasing the distance like what I’ve done before for half marathon training.

We’re lucky to have an abundance of hills here in Yorkshire. So I’ve been aiming to add in some uphill routes to get the legs used to that as well.

This year I also started regularly going to circuit training classes to work on my strength. I’ve never been much of a gym goer so it’s definitely an achievement for me to have kept this going. I’ve even found myself enjoying it!

I’m possibly in the best shape of my life. Although I still have a weakness for pizza, and I do enjoy a beer or two with friends so I’m not quite the picture of fitness!”

How are you feeling about the day of the challenge?

“At the moment, I’m feeling really positive. The big challenge before the big challenge(!) is to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks with a few of my work colleagues. That’s 24 miles of three back-to-back peaks.

Just the other week I was in the Lake District, so I decided to take on Blencathra and Skiddaw back-to-back with a friend who will be doing the National challenge with me. That was a gruelling 17.5 miles, and the weather was pretty grim. We were up in the clouds and getting pelted with rain, but we got it done. I was sore for a couple of days, but it made it all feel achievable and the hard work I’ve put in so far is paying off.”

What are you most excited about?

“That’s a tough one… I’m doing the challenge with some old Uni friends. A couple of them I’ve not seen for a long while so I’m looking forward to catching up with them.

I’ve never been up or seen Ben Nevis before, so I’m really excited to see it in all its splendour. Hopefully we get some favourable weather as the views from on top look stunning!”

We will catch up with Matt again after he completes the challenge. In the meantime, we wish him all the best!