Run Britain Days 17 and 18: Bexhill to Brighton

It has been a tough stretch. Not especially tough because of the weather, terrain or elevation (although day 17 did include driving rain and day 18 included the Seven Sisters), but tough because I have got shin splints. And it feels like my legs are being burned by the fire of a million tiny horned demons. Every single step has been painful.

On Monday I made the call to split the section from Bexhill to Brighton in two because I thought an afternoon of rest would help ease the pain and accelerate recovery. By Tuesday morning, it was clear that there would be another day of walking. By Tuesday at 3pm, as I sobbed down the phone to Harry while dragging myself towards Newhaven, I knew it was time to look for some help.

Help which came in the form of extra some ibuprofen and Annie. The wonderful physio at Brighton Physiotherapy who massaged my shins, gave me some sensible practical advice for preventing the escalation of this injury into a stress fracture and sent me on my way without charging me a thing.

There one upside to the injury. I am getting to spend extra time in Brighton with my friend Lottie who is doing everything and anything to help me feel better.

But it hasn’t been easy and I am starting to get some creeping doubts about my ability to continue. But they’re not helpful doubts to have, so it’s time for more ibuprofen, massage gel, strapping and another day of walking.

Oh, and if anyone isn’t sure, the Seven Sisters are seven hills atop the cliff. And they’re brutal.