MARATHON man Jamie McDonald is running through the pain barrier after he was forced to halt his trans-Canadian adventure due to injury.
He is running across the vast expanse of ice and snow to raise money for the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Pied Piper Appeal but was sidelined for several days due to a suspected stress fracture in his foot.
He is now back on the road again after a bone scan gave him the all clear and trying out a new sled to tow his kit on, rather than carry his heavy backpack.
Jamie was relieved to hear he had no fracture in his foot.
"The doctor did find a spot where the pain is," he said.
"It was quite obvious to me where the problem was by looking at the scan.
"He suggested it could either be early signs of arthritis or something wrong with my ligaments.
"He thinks it should get another scan during the adventure to see if it progresses.
"I haven't had any pain for four days and brought two pairs of really decent road running trainers with ultimate padding that I can keep alternating daily.
"I'm testing out a trailer tomorrow.
"Over the next few days I'm going to do some small walks and runs to gauge and test out the foot to see how it is, making sure whatever it was has gone and that I don't make it flare up again.
"There was no doubt about it, this was a huge scare and a very steep learning curve which seems to be the only way I do learn.
"I learnt to walk by falling over."
To find out more about the challenge or to sponsor Jamie, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Jamie_McDonald
Follow the journey on Twitter: @MrJamieMcDonald.