I often say, “running meets you where you are.” During the pandemic, that phrase became real for me and for many others. With in-person races canceled, we all had to rethink our relationship with the sport. Virtual races, backyard ultras, and all kinds of challenges popped up. I loved seeing how people found ways to reclaim their running, and find joy in it, rather than lament what was lost.

That experience made me more aware of the barriers to entry that some runners face today: skyrocketing race demand, lotteries, qualifying times, and the rising costs of entries. As a coach, I hear the frustration—wanting to run a certain race but being shut out. I began to wonder: how can we reframe that disappointment and still find joy in running?

Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to partake in a unique event. It consists of running 7 Marathons in 7 Days on 7 Continents. Tempting as it was, the $50K price tag gave me pause. Fundraising to send myself on a luxury global trip didn’t feel right or authentic to my relationship with running. So it seemed I, like many of you, would find myself on the outside looking in. Or would I? And thus, an idea was born.

I decided to reclaim my running and not leave that joy and experience - at its core - in the hands of anyone else. I focused on my “why” - the reason and the way I’ve chosen to run since retiring from the professional running. I wanted to, in my own Jet2-Holiday-esque way, experience the challenge of running 7 marathons in 7 days.