People climb Mount Everest, so they say, "because it's there". But that was never my reason for walking the Pennine Way. There are much easier ways to get sore feet, such as walking over hot coals. So why did I do it? Well:

• I used to be a runner - marathons, half marathons, fell races, etc. and not too bad either. But 20 years of road running did all sorts of unpleasant things to my right knee and a lower impact sport was recommended. I HATE swimming, biking's okay in good weather but walking seemed the ideal thing.

• I read a book by Bill Bryson - "A Walk in The Woods". If you haven't read it, do so. It might not inspire you to walk the Pennine Way but it sure is funny! I thought that if a fat slob like Bryson could walk 1,000 miles of the US Appalachian Trail then I'd have no problems walking just over a quarter of that distance.

• The Pennine Way starts in Edale and that ain't far from home (Bolton).

• In my early 30s I had to prove something to myself by running the London Marathon. Now in my 50s I guess I'm still trying to prove that it isn't all over yet!

• I thought it would be a cheap two week holiday (WRONG!).

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