Walking too much?

[LanguidLobster]

Sorry I should really put this in the great outdoors but it's so quiet in there.

I have a really scenic walking route near me, should take 5 hours but the footpaths switch at intervals and the map was slightly unclear so I limped out of the other end after getting lost repeatedly after 8 hours solid walking.

Feet have recovered, back hasn't (I assume you'd know if you had a slipped disc?), it doesn't hurt all the time.

I've got some proper walking shoes now and and want to do it more frequently but am a little dubious about the back pain? It's at the base of the spine. Not sure it's worth seeing a doctor about, they'd probably just say to rest it

Sports physio?

It maybe your previous shoes/boots were not supporting your foot properly which means your entire gait was thrown off and could have caused back issues.

One of my work colleagues is only just recovering from back/hip/knee and foot issues due to non supportive running shoes - she was compensating for her foot, which buggered the knee and so on.
Physio may help with the pain and/or your mind at rest re. back injury.

Actually I wore flip-flops before

I've obviously been very unkind to my body. Might look into physio, thanks.

It's a lovely route so I'd love to do it again, it goes through forests and coast, several villages and towns then emerges in a city.

I walk a lot. 8 hours in proper walking shoes (at a fast pace) is tough going. Flip flops? You crazy lady!

Flip flops OP?

Yes I was bonkers, I hold my hands up!

In my defense I set off rather over enthusiastically expecting it to be a straight line but then got lost in several hayfields, sandy paths, canals etc (the blue footpath signs don't actually give indication of direction)

The vision that springs to mind makes me gasp! You must need your head tested!

Actually the worst thing was I got into the city on a Saturday teatime and asked a couple of students how to get to the street my friend lives in.

They were just trotting along with a can of fosters before they hit the town but took it upon themselves to walk a poor limping woman to her destination, the student stream of consciousness chatter was too much though and I nearly had to yell at them to shut up.

I'll be kinder to my body from now on, promise

Find an osteopath. I’m constantly doing myself in and they’re the only thing that fixes me.

I currently have a 'slipped disc', and yes, believe me you'd know about it!

Ouch @DuskyMoth, do you know what caused it?

I've got a couple of friends who have back pain from sport and it makes you wince a bit hearing stories on MN about it from childbirth

I picked up some rubbish off the lawn in my front garden 😂

It is definitely best to keep mobile though, I've been recommended to start Pilates.

Could you try walking poles for a bit of support - like a previous poster said, the back pain could be due to your gait getting thrown off.
I have a dodgy knee and have found that walking poles help immensely

Ah Flip flops, that would explain the issue.

Though I did someone walking very slowly up a hilly footpath the other day in high heeled sandals.

8 hours is a lot of walking, esp in flip flops. I find that my back and flutes can get very tight and uncomfortable after walking long distance. Stretching really helps - if you need help with how to do it there are loads of videos on YouTube- search up yoga or stretching for runners, lower back pain etc

Er, glutes not flutes obvs🙄