Could a Pulled Hamstring Stop Me from Saving Children’s Lives? My Brutally Honest Injury Update (Day 1,739)

You ever felt your dream might just slip away right from under you? Well, that's EXACTLY what I've been up against these past two weeks. My journey to run 40,075km, raise £1,000,000 for children’s causes, and smash through Day 4,292 on the Runpreneur Challenge nearly hit a HARD wall: a stubborn, painful pulled hamstring.

Before you close this tab, let’s get real... If you’re an athlete, runner, or just someone who refuses to quit on your ambitions, you need to hear what I’m about to share. My injury could help you dodge your own worst case scenario and actually save you from the mental slide no one warns you about.

What Actually Happened?

After a recent skiing trip, I felt it – that searing pain, right at the top of my left hamstring, where it meets the glutes. We’re talking a “proper” pulled muscle. Not a little niggle. Not just tight. I’m talking, an ugly knot that stops you dead in your tracks.

I haven’t had something this severe since… well, since I can remember! But, this mission, this drive to not just run but RUN WITH PURPOSE doesn’t pause for pain.

Honest Injury Update: Can I Make the Start Line?

With Manchester Marathon seven weeks away and Edinburgh just a month after, the million-pound question is: Will I even make the start line?

• I’ve been running every day, but only at gentle recovery pace – about 5:25/km (for the data geeks!).

• My sports masseuse—who’s treated this chassis every six weeks for YEARS—confirmed it: there’s a definite knot, a tangible imperfection, something not-quite-right.

• No MRI (yet), but hands don’t lie.

What does this mean? It’s simple, really... I’ve got a fighting chance for Manchester—but it won’t be a PB year. No big time targets. The focus now? Just reaching the start line and using Manchester as a crucial (if tough) TRAINING RUN, with sights locked on Edinburgh for a stronger result.

The True Runner’s Struggle: Mental vs Physical

Let’s talk mindset. Injuries don’t just sideline your body, they mess with your head. Even when things start to feel physically normal, the mental scars can linger. The confidence in that muscle? Shot. And when the mind isn’t 100%, your performance tanks.

Here’s my hard-won lesson: Don’t gamble long-term progress for a short-term finish line. Be honest, adjust expectations, and if you’re carrying a niggle don’t risk permanent damage. Sometimes the bravest move is taking the L today, so you can smash it in the future.

So, What’s Next in the Runpreneur Challenge?

My mission hasn’t changed: 40,075km. £1,000,000 for children’s causes. One foot in front of the other every single day.

• Listen to your body.

• Celebrate recovery runs.

• Take care of your mental game.

• Never lose sight of the bigger purpose.

Join Me, Let’s Smash This Together!

Are you battling an injury? Struggling with setbacks? Share your journey in the comments below—let’s support each other through the highs AND the lows.

If you believe in what I’m fighting for saving children’s lives through every step—please subscribe, share, like, and comment. The bigger our community, the more lives we can change.

Runpreneur out. Day 1,739 and still running. Will you run with me, injuries and all?