Day 18: Rest and recovery

Start: Newcastle-upon-Tyne

End: Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Distance: 0 miles

Today was my first full rest day of this adventure and it felt like a well deserved reward. I've covered 260 miles on foot, carrying a heavy pack so my feet, legs and shoulders were grateful when my bag remained on the floor of my hotel room for the duration of the day. Rest days always involve a little admin; a food resupply, logistics for the next phase and organising extra gear required for Scotland (midge repellent kit and water purification methods). I worked my way through a variety of foods to help restore, repair and refuel. Mostly I'd been missing the absence of fresh fruit and vegetables, which are hard to obtain on a trail. I'd been making do with my blackberry and apple foraging but was delighted when I could order a large bowl of fresh fruit to accompany my breakfast.

If you go on a long day hike, you have the luxury of being able to return to comfort, where you can limp around at home until your muscles ultimately heal and stop screaming. But on multiday backpacking trips where you are following a strict schedule that demands you cover the miles, regardless of how you feel, you don't receive this luxury. But recovery must not be overlooked. In order to have success on these challenges your body requires sufficient sleep, rest to aid muscle recovery and nutrients to provide energy. Post-trail fatigue is very common and often is only noticed when you truly allow your body to stop. Sometimes I may wake up tired and achey after a long day but will complete more miles regardless, fuelled purely on adrenaline and stubbornness. The fresh air tends to mask tiredness and your body may normalise the muscular fatigue. But on a rest day like today when you fully relax, the tiredness and soreness becomes noticeable. As the recent trail has not put too much strain on my body, I am fortunate to have very little muscle soreness. My feet are tough and calloused, with the absence of blisters and my shoulders are mildly achey but feel strong. Mostly it's the sleep deprivation that's hit me after experiencing many nights disturbed by rain and wind. I'm hoping one more night in a bed will boost my energy before returning to tent life.

With the Welsh and English miles behind me, I now set my sights on the Highlands of Scotland where I'll be completing the Great Glen Way which will conclude my adventure. Tomorrow's task is a 6 hour train journey, in addition to a short hike to find a camp spot on the outskirts of Fort William. But before that commences, I have a few hours of recovery remaining to make the most of.