The Hardest Run I’ve Ever Done: Running Through Pain in Andorra

Running isn’t always about speed or distance – sometimes it’s about sheer grit. Today, I want to share the story behind what might well have been the hardest run I’ve ever done, all while away on a family ski trip in Andorra.

Setbacks on the Slopes

The day started with an ideal mix: quality family time on the slopes of Arinsal, Andorra, even with the snow conditions less than stellar. I’m no Olympic skier, but I can manage most runs, even the dreaded blacks. Unfortunately, the slopes were icy and slushy in patches, resulting in two falls. The worst was a proper whack off a chairlift, landing on hard-packed icy snow right on my coccyx. With my running-adapted, less “cushioned” behind, the pain was immediate and intense – the sort of ache you know will only get worse overnight.

Despite the soreness, the family time was worth it. But the day wasn’t done with me yet...

Disaster Strikes

Later, while braving the steeper runs with my adrenaline-fuelled teenage sons, I hit some vicious ice on a particularly treacherous black-into-red slope. My left ski caught at just the wrong moment, wrenching my leg into a position it definitely didn’t want to go. The instant pain was unmistakable: a minor tear in my left hamstring. Somehow, I managed to ski down, but I could sense things were far from right.

Uphill Battle: Running in the Mountains

Back at base, the real test loomed: could I keep my running streak alive? For those new to my journey, I’ve been running – often barefoot – every single day for over 1,700 consecutive days as part of a larger ultra-marathon fundraiser to save children’s lives.

Running in a ski resort like Andorra is brutal even at the best of times – over 200m of elevation packed into just over 7km makes every step a challenge. Throw in a freshly torn hamstring and aching coccyx, and suddenly each stride is a true test of resilience. My usual pace was out of the window; today was all about survival, gingerly keeping the streak alive at a cautious 6:45/km.

Lessons Learnt on the Run

Pain can be a powerful teacher. The constant elevation changes made the hamstring scream on every up and down. Yet, every runner knows there’s a fine line between pushing your limits and pushing your luck. The big takeaway? Always, always listen to your body. Most experts preach rest for injuries (and I absolutely recommend it), but when you can’t or won’t stop – keep things low intensity and prioritise blood flow and dynamic stretching. And seek professional advice! Sometimes, knowing when to stop is the ultimate endurance test.

Why Keep Going?

Simple: it’s never just about the run. I’m motivated by my mission – fundraising for children’s charities by running the distance of the lap of the world, barefoot, one day at a time. Every like, comment, share, or subscriber helps get us closer to that goal and, ultimately, saves more lives.

Stay positive, stay happy – and keep moving, even when it hurts. If you have any questions or want to share your own storeys of running through adversity, drop a comment below. Let’s inspire each other to keep going, no matter what the mountain throws at us.

Subscribe to the YouTube channel to follow the rest of this ski trip challenge – six more punishing runs to go!