Day 11 - Burnham-on-sea to S Bristol (21 miles approx)

I woke early but didn't leave until 10am because I was allowing my little tent to dry as much as possible. This late departure put me on the back foot. I felt as though I was playing catch up all day. This was no good for the spirits.

I don't mind telling you that today I struggled. Both physically and emotionally. I plugged my headphones in and searched for inspiration. All that came were tunes that reminded me of other people, other places, other times. My mind started questioning what I was doing. Why I was doing it was an easy question to answer and if it hadn't been fir the answer I feel I would be sitting on a train heading to London.

The thing that hooked into me was "if you feel like this on one fifth of the way in, how are you going to feel in four weeks time?" Obviously these negative thoughts were upon me and I didn't have the ability to drown them out. My neck, shoulders, back, hips, thighs, hands(!), knees, ankles, and feet all hurt at the same time. I decided to continue and try to drown everything out. The trudge was on and my only aim was to complete the day. This had stopped being fun.

I'm starting to see something about myself and that is I have good days and bad days (as does everyone) but I haven't found that catalyst that changes thoughts, feelings, attitude into positivity.

I'm really looking forward to spending time around family this coming weekend. Hopefully my maps for the rest of the journey should turn up and I'm looking forward to plotting the next 'chunk' of the trip. One thing is for sure I am looking at the option for ditching the camping aspect and resorting to B&B's. More expensive but to be able to walk straight in somewhere, shower, and get into a bed raises the spirits massively. It also means a lighter pack, earlier starts, earlier finishes.

Whatever I decided I know that today has been one of those Lance Armstrong days (thanks to a friend at work for telling me this) "pain may last a day, a week, a month, a year. Quitting lasts forever". All very true and as long as I am not causing myself long term problems I will not quit. However, speak to any runner and I'm sure they will have a story of a DNF (Did not finish).

On a more upbeat note I stopped at 2 different pubs today (Doom Bars are doing well out of me!) and both times there were lots of questions and interest. It's still a challenge and I think my problem is I stopped looking at it as a challenge. I wanted canal walks and beautiful villages. There will be others across the country and I'll love every second of being in them. That is what today has brought me - appreciation of the 'smooth', because today was rough.

With Bristol just down the road I am hoping I'll be able to call on family by the end of the day.

I promise to have a more upbeat report next time. Until then tah tah!