Mile marker: 344.4 Miles today: 0
Shin splits…
So, the last few day’s, I have been feeling my shin splits on my right leg. The zero day in Hot Spings was not enough 😪
Because of that & knowing they can get bad… I decided to take 3 consecutive days of rest.
That day, I was able to get my local physiotherapist on a video chat. He gave a few tips, exercises & taping…but ultimately he reminded me what the real solution is…rest!
I also put off all use of meds on trail in order to feel the level of pain. But since I was not hiking, I decided to take some ibuprofen to help with the inflammation.
The upside is that the hostel is just beside a river, so I got to soak my legs in multiple times a day.
Oh yeah, also, there is an elephant statue in the middle of town:
Apparently, an elephant from a circus was hanged in 1916… I will let you google it if you want to hear more about it.
Trail magic…even off trail
In the morning, I took the shuttle from the hostel to town. Once there, I when to the local coffee shop for a cold brew. A nice gentleman offered me the coffee knowing I was thru-hiking the trail.
In every day life, I would of declined..But being obviously a thru-hiker & knowing it came from a good place, I accepted & said thank you.
Seing the tramilly
That day, I saw the guys I was hiking with at the start, come in the hostel.
I was so happy to see them again.
We went to one of the Mexican restaurant in town. So good!
It was a nice evening & finishing it by the fire was nice.
Taking 3 days of rest, I wondered if I will see them again since they where heading back on trail before me.
As Giggles told me: it’s important that I go at my own speed & listen to my body. So that’s what I’ve been doing, even if it means I might not see them again on trail…to be seen.