So, after my mini breakdown at the end of Week 3, I wasn’t really sure what to do. I knew I wasn’t about to give up, and I sort of knew that Gavin was right when he said that I shouldn’t force myself to stick to this Runkeeper schedule when I clearly can’t do it.

Remember we are all different shapes and sizes and you will get to 10k – but maybe you might have to go your own way rather than rigidly follow a course without a personal trainer or buddy who knows you well enough to give you the correct advice. - Wise Gavin (RubberGoat)

Yes, exactly. However, I’m not really in the mood to make up my own plan at the moment. So, I decided to continue with the Runkeeper one, but just doing what I can, rather than getting annoyed if I can’t do it. I knew I was never going to be able to complete the long distances, anyway, it’s just happened earlier than I might have wanted.

Week 4. Day 22.

This was an 8km workout, but I knew I wouldn’t be doing that. I went out and figured I’d run until I either had to stop, or my average pace fell to 9:30.

It felt really good for the first 3k and then it started to get tough. My thigh was hurting again, and I had to deal with a bit of a stitch. However, I have finally figured out a way to get audio onto my phone, and so I was listening to some good inspirational music as I went around. I don’t want to listen to music all the time, but if I’m just going out there to run and see what happens, it’s nice to have that background to listen to.

Not a great run in terms of reaching the target that I was meant to, but slightly better as a step in the right direction towards being comfortable running again.

Week 4. Day 24.

This was much better. It felt comfortable, although when I hit the 4.8k mark, I really didn’t have the stomach for the intervals. I went a bit longer, but not particularly faster. At least I can still do a 5k!

Also, my thigh didn’t hurt at all, which is a real bonus. It was a bit niggly walking around the house afterwards, but compared to the last run, it was almost as if the initial injury had never happened.

Week 4. Day 26.

A relatively comfortable run, my thigh wasn’t painful but I could still feel the problem with it is still there. I’m slightly annoyed that I stopped because the average pace got to 9:30+ but when I got back it was a wonky GPS situation again. I’m not sure what I’m going to do to solve the problem, but I know that I need to pay more attention to where I finish so I can at least edit it properly when I get back.

I edited this one and it made me feel a bit better because I wasn’t as slow as I thought and I went further than I thought. Phew. Still don’t feel as good as I did before my strop, but I think we’re on the way back up again.

Week 4. Day 28.

Not too much to say about this one. It was a bit more of a struggle than the last two, but I hadn’t been out for four days, so it was probably more of a mental thing. I should have gone out over the weekend, but I was so tired I don’t think it would have helped.

I was also a bit of an idiot and forgot my water, and it was pretty hot out there, so by the time I got back I was absolutely gasping for a drink.

My time off must have got me all confused with when I’m supposed to publish this as well. I’ve already completed the first run of the next week. Apologies for the delay!