It’s four weeks today since I scurried down Snowdon, the final mountain in that weekend’s National Three Peaks challenge. I can remember the feeling of relief that I’d actually made it up and down all three, as going in to it I was really very unsure what would happen. I’m not a sporty person, and I hadn’t done any hiking or training. I got all my kit a few days before, and went off hoping for the best, but fearing the worst.

In the end it was far more enjoyable than I thought, and I didn’t have too much trouble with the physical aspect, or with any of my gear. A good lesson in how when facing a mountain, just getting on with things can quickly lead to it being conquered. The downside is that it reinforced my subconscious feeling that I could probably get away without much preparation, and so I find myself four weeks on from the National Three Peaks having not wiped the dirt off my boots, let alone worn them again.

Will I do any training before Kili in February? Of course! At least, that’s what I’m telling everyone – including myself. I remain to be convinced.