I’m walking the Great Glen Way in September, taking me up the fault line from Fort William to Inverness in a fairly measured six days of walking. A couple of years ago I drove along part of the loch-side of the route in my MGF with Cam, weaving our way from Thurso to Oban on our road trip. I had a preview of the beautiful walk to come.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve taken a National Trail route, with a plan that I will do at least one a year for the next few years at least. I had decided to take it the easy way with a walking package that handily couriers my main bag to each new stop over point on the route, where I will also have a comfortable bed and a good breakfast.
I had not anticipated the additional challenge of chronic foot pain, through Plantar Fasciitis, a common issue with the bottom of the foot that makes walking uncomfortable. The heel pain is caused by tears in the overworked fascia. There are a range of self help exercises, ibuprofen, RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), insoles, night splints, compression socks and others that can manage the pain. Unfortunately, such a condition is typically long lasting, and will almost certainly be in evidence for the start of the walk and actively exacerbated by it.
I’m doing what I can to prepare, though my planned stamina build up walks are on hold to give my right foot some weeks of rest. A lengthy shopping list of good socks, new walking trousers, base layer tops, waterproofing, and a new pair of very comfy Merell boots are all safely acquired and ready to go.
There wasn’t a question in my mind as to whether I should do the walk. Due to the nature of the condition it could well prove long lasting. So my emphasis has been about preparation and accommodation for the trail walking, which is something that I love to do. So, a plan for some more mindful progress, with a 45 minute walk, 5 minute stretching pause cycle is on the cards. I’ll be taking a pain management kit with me to get me through. in the meantime there are strengthening exercises and all the things that you are supposed to do to help manage the condition in its early stages. I’m not especially interested in later stage treatments, unless my own management doesn’t reduce pain over a few months.
The trail itself will be beautiful. Fantastic scenery and some history as I travel from coast to coast. There is something wonderful about the process of getting up and setting off from your new door with only your next destination as a goal for the day. There will be new places and people, and new vistas to experience. I shall enjoy the daily high calorie breakfasts and propitiation to the fickle gods for as dry a travel as possible!