Day 51-53 (Ian) Shin Splints to Kennedy Meadows South
The next morning was June 23 (Day 51). I had only made it four more miles after separating with Gaelen at Spanish Needle Creek (mile 669) the day before. I woke up late, lonely, in pain, with no prospects of good distance that day, and an impending dread of continual injury. It was the toughest moment for me since the first few days out of Campo when I thought I had really gotten myself in over my head athletically. I may have cried a little, but then a mantra came to me that made all the diffence: The Adventure Continues. Nothing was over yet, nothing was finished. This was just a new obstacle to overcome on the journey to Canada. Up to this point I had mostly focused on building up my body: muscle strength, cardio endurance, digestive efficiency, joint alignment (a big struggle with my scoliosis), etc. But starting from here I began to have time and energy to devote to my mental growth. I gained a new resiliency that morning.
Researching how to cure shin splints revealed R.I.C.E. was the number one therapy. So I knew I would need to take at least three days "tent rest" in Kennedy Meadows South, probably more. That would be OK though, as lots of hikers take copious days off there. As the gateway into the Sierras, it is a gathering place for those waiting for the right conditions, the right gear, or the right friends to begin their mountainous adventures. Calf compression sleeves were also recommended, so instead of using mine for recovery while I slept, I began wearing them while hiking. I also learned how to tape my shin to help relieve the pressure on my tibia. Shin splints are so painful because the swelling pushes against the bone. The swelling could be from the tendon that runs down the shin into the foot or muscular. The latter can take weeks to heal, so I hoped it was the former (it felt like that was the case).
Next I researched the causes of shin splints. Overstriding is a major risk factor. So trying to keep up with Gaelen the last two weeks was probably to blame. But walking downhill with a heel strike can also aggravate shin splints, and that was exactly what I'd been doing since my shoes started falling apart about 400 miles back. So the solution seemed simple: walk my own pace, return to a midfoot landing, and buy new shoes! But only after all the R.I.C.E. took the swelling and pain away completely. I knew I would need diligence to stay still until the healing finished.
After applying the regimen of stretching, massage, PT, and CBD lotion, I walked until about 1300 and took a two hour siesta in the shade of a granite boulder. I applied the regimen again and was able to make it just north of Fox Mill Spring (mile 683) where I camped in a flat spot of a coulee. That put me at about 12 miles that day, about 2/3 my old pace.
The next day I ran into Deluxe at Manter Creek (mile 694) and met two Canadian girls: Smiles & Miles. I took a siesta nestled in the tall brush and ate a large amount of Skittles. After soldiering on, I camped right along the South Fork Kern River (mile 698) and soaked my feet and shin splints in the cold water. It stiffened the ankle further, but relieved a great deal of discomfort.
The next morning I passed the 700 mile mark just before the road to the General Store at Kennedy Meadows South. Walking up, I received the traditional cheer from the dozen or so hikers chilling on the deck. I checked the log but didn't see Gaelen's name. So I hitched south two miles to Grumpy Bears Retreat which was next to Triple Crown Outfitters, where I had decided to stay. Both Triple Crown and the General Store offer free camping, but camping near Grumpy's bar sounded more lively. I bought a shower, a cheese burger, and 8 hours of WiFi; started my laundry; and connected with Gaelen via email. I hadn't had any cell service since the morning I researched shin splints.
Gaelen had arrived two nights before and was well rested and ready to tackle the mountains. I needed 3-5 days off. So we dissolved our commitment to stay together and began to each hike our own hike. It was sad to see the band broken up, but ultimately it was for the best. That night, the clouds took on what a local called the "Sierra glow". I set up my tent by Triple Crown with Deluxe and dreamed of mountains.
