Words By: Maria Conciecao
It was hard to believe that I was finally on the way to start the 777 Challenge. It felt just like another dream and I’d had many over the course of the last six months of preparation, some of them good but most of them waking me up in a cold sweat in fear of something going horrifically wrong.
The target for this challenge was to run a full marathon on each of the seven continents in seven days. To call this a challenge was a vast understatement. And one long haul flight after the other with a marathon at the other end compounded the challenge.
On the evening of the 7th of February we had a chance to learn what the other runners were guilty of to deserve this punishment. For me it was easy, this challenge was a chance to show my determination, and raise awareness. The others were a mixed bag from all over the world: running for a cause, breaking world records but several just for fun – the crazy ones.
The first marathon in Melbourne, Australia was very pleasant with reasonably cool weather. I ran at a comfortable pace and finished the distance feeling good. I was the second female to finish from our group finishing in 4h 22m. After the race, I had 3-4 hours before we had to head to the airport. This turned out to be barely enough time for a shower, some food and to read a few emails.
Race Two was in Abu Dhabi. I fell asleep on the flight a few times but not for long. The usual discomforts of a long haul flight were present but switched into intense mode. We landed on time and were shuttled off to Zayed Sports City for the race. It was a really tough one due to hot weather; strong, sandy winds and of course the fact that I had already ran a marathon and flew 7,000 miles beforehand.
We had a few hours rest after the race before it was off to the airport for the flight to Paris. It was an overnight flight and by this time I was becoming desperate for sleep. France was chilly, which was a welcome change after Abu Dhabi. The race was in a nice setting: eight loops around a big lake in the country. The race started well until half way around the first loop when we hit the mud section and it was a super sticky mud that built up on your shoes making your feet heavier with each step. We only had a short time to shower and relax before we were yet again rushed off to the airport. I finished the France race around 3:00 p.m.; the next race would start only 10 hours later in Tunisia!
The race organisers in Tunisia looked after us well; we were rushed through immigration and bussed to the historic Carthage Amphitheatre for the start, which was at 1:00 a.m.! This was mentally tough; it was starting to feel like torture, but physically I felt okay and was ready to go. The busy start line helped build the adrenaline, however once we were off, we soon spread out at different paces and it became a lonely race running through the desolate neighbourhoods of Tunis. Several volunteers did well to keep us hydrated and cheered us on. I finished second place in female overall just before 6:00 a.m.
Next was another long flight, this time to New York, via Rome. I was looking forward to reaching New York for one simple reason – I would get to sleep in a bed for the first time since we started. It was bliss, but it was short lived. The marathon on Long Island was freezing cold at -7°C. The cold kept you moving, but breathing was difficult and ice patches presented danger. I enjoyed this race, thanks to the first proper rest in a bed. I ran a good race finishing in 4h 52m, not bad for the 5th marathon, in as many days and continents.
Punta Arenas, Chile, Race Six was the worst. Remarkably my legs felt fine, but I was totally worn out, I actually felt as if I’d been dragged from New York. The race was on a concrete path and the impact of every step sent a shock of pain through my body. Surprisingly my finish time was respectable at 4h 53m. I just wanted to get it over with as soon as possible; the next race in Antarctica was scheduled only eight hours later.
At 2:30 a.m. on the 14thof Feb, we were on our way to the airport for our flight to Antarctica. We reached the continent three days later. We landed at around 9:00 p.m. Our marathon was rescheduled to start at 5:00 a.m. the next morning so after a bit of sleep in a tent (I don’t recommend this in Antarctica) I was up and raring to go. I had kept myself active during the three-day wait so that I didn’t stiffen up and I felt quite good.
The course was a tough one, a very rocky, hilly trail run with patches of slushy snow and mud. I set off quickly and maintained a good pace paying no attention to the several penguins coming ashore to see what was going on. I was so happy to cross the finish line and especially as I was the first woman. Seven marathons in seven continents in 11 days wasn’t the original plan however. The current Guinness record for females is 48 days.
My goal was to raise funds and awareness for my foundation but also to show our children that we can push boundaries and that we don’t have to accept what is normal or what is expected. A couple of years ago nobody would have expected me run a single marathon let alone multiple marathon challenges. Mission completed.
