Pain when walking - can you help?

[acd]

Hi,

I'm undertaking a mammoth walk for Oxfam this year, their trailwalker event which is 100km, within a 30 hour period, across the South Downs, non stop!

I'm training for the event at the moment and although I have found the training fine stamina and energy wise, I'm getting some pains, which after 20 miles and 7 hours of cross terrain walking, yesterday...were quite bad.

I'm a 29 year old female and getting pain in my hip joint region/groin region and across my lower back which built to the point that I felt I was unsure I could walk much more.

Has anybody any advice/had this before/know what this could be caused by? I'm hoping I can do something corrective about this and it doesn't mean I would have to not do the event?

Please help....all advice really welcome.

Thanks!

ACD

[Gregmuzz]

Hi ACD,

First have all having the correct boots with good soles to take the pressures of walking could help, but i would definatly recommend walking poles.

Walking poles will take alot of the impact and will support you on uneven ground and will take alot of friction away from your body when supporting you especially going down hill.

but i think many people would hurt after 20 miles across country well done 

[acd]

Thanks - all good advice. I was using poles so maybe it's the boots, someone else mentioned that too. Will seek some advice at a specialist shop to see if they can help!

Thanks again.

[Mr. Blister]

I find pain and walking inseperable.  Short distances, 5-10 miles are generally okay, but anything longer then it's a matter of finding ways to dampen the pain, becoming comfortable with your discomfort.

My last hike was 20 miles also, and every muscle in my lower body was aching.  I think all you can do is take regular breaks, try to curb the 'superhuman' feeling of "I'll just do another mile and then rest".  I honestly believe that no matter what equipment you have, boots you wear, you're still going to be in pain after walking twenty miles.

But good on you ACD, good luck with your challenge. 

[acd]

Thanks!

Sometimes it's reassuring to hear other people saying that they too would feel that way and it's not your body not holding up to the task!

A couple of other people who are doing the challenge have said to take painkillers on the walk, maybe ibuprofen, to help with the pain....I think the feeling was you'd struggle to do the full 100km otherwise.

I'm not a keen pilltaker but also need to get through this trek...... Any thoughts/advice?

Thanks again!

ACD

[Mr. Blister]

I've never really considered taking painkillers before druring a walk - for some reason I instinctively dislike the idea, though couldn't really give you any reason as to why.

Whichever way you look at it, walking 100km is going to hurt, it's a plan, physical fact.  The only real thing you can do is find small, simple steps to ease the pain.  Are you walking with someone?  If so then perhaps, you could help each other out by massaging the painful areas? (Even that does raise a wry smile on my face, the local farmer looking over his wall at the two lone hikers rubbing each other in the middle of one of his fields, lol  )

Try talking to other people who have completed the trek and see what steps they took, I'm sure there's a foum somewhere for those who have completed the similar challenge, the Lyke Wake Walk - forty miles in under 24 hours, across the North Yorkshire Moors.

Above all, do that which makes you most comfortable, and remember to have fun! 

[summerfield]

Have you tried using insoles in your boots worked for me and also the ibuprofen can reduce inflammation thus reducing the pain.