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Shalane Flanagan on How Her World Marathons Challenge Helped Her Learn to Love Running Again

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And then, when I least expected it, came a once-in-a-lifetime running opportunity.

The six Abbott World Marathon Majors—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City—are usually spread over eight months, but the COVID-19 pandemic collapsed them into a span of just seven weeks.

It was the challenge I was looking for: I could run all six Majors in just seven weeks. It was exactly what I’d missed—the physical and mental exertion, the rush of competition, and the feeling of chasing. Nobody has ever run all six in such a short amount of time before.

Why not me?

Sure, I was retired. Sure, I had just recovered from major surgery. Sure, I just turned 40. Sure, I am a coach and a new mom to an amazing son. But where those could all sound like reasons not to try, to me, they were the exact reasons to give myself the chance.

When I first approached Nike with my idea to run all six marathons—all under three hours—I was half-expecting them to laugh. But instead, they were so incredibly supportive and got right to work to help me turn this idea into reality. The team at the Nike Sports Research Lab gave me feedback about my training, my fueling, my cognitive health, and my recovery. My Bowerman teammates were there to train alongside me. My friends and family were there through every mile, every doubt, and every hiccup. Even my dad joined in, riding alongside me on his bike during long runs to make sure I had the fluids I needed.

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Their encouragement never wavered when I said I wanted to use this opportunity to take a step away from breaking tapes, and instead focus on sharing my story about the challenges of the past few years and how interconnected mental and physical health can be.

After a year and a half where so much has been taken away from us, I saw this unprecedented fall marathon season as an opportunity for women all over the world to start reclaiming our bodies and minds together.

Now, I’m not expecting everyone to go out and run six marathons—or even one. But I know how hard this pandemic has been on everyone’s mental health, especially women, and I want you to know that making space for sport (or even just unstructured movement, if that’s what feels good for your body) in your heart and in your day can really improve your overall happiness. If you mentally commit to moving your body, set goals to challenge yourself, and join a community of people who can cheer you on, it can have an enormous impact on how you feel. I know it did for me.

Whether it’s a 5K, a lap around the block, or a marathon, I hope you are inspired to bet on yourself. You will be surprised what you’re capable of when you give yourself a chance to try.

Over the past seven weeks, I’ve found myself at six different starting lines, including that infamous New York City bridge. (The fifth major race, Tokyo, was ultimately postponed until 2022 due to COVID-19, but I honored Tokyo with a run on one of my most sacred training grounds at home on Sauvie Island in Oregon.) At each one, alongside the adrenaline, I’ve felt a sense of deep gratitude: for the simple ability to run, for finally feeling like myself again, for the people who’ve had my back the whole way.

This has been an experience filled with love and a community that has reminded me how fun running can really be. And yes, my relationship with running has changed throughout this journey. At one point in London, I stopped to walk…for the first time ever in a marathon. And it was OK! I may not be breaking tapes and topping podiums, but I am falling for my best friend in a way that I never have—and the power and joy it brings me. And that is worth so much more to me than a medal.

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Source: Self

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