Are you exhausted just reading that headline? Don’t run away though. This is an energizing episode of The Women’s Eye Podcast with my guest ultra runner Molly Sheridan, who, at 68, broke a world record by completing the World Marathon Challenge®: seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. Yes, you read that correctly!
“I am an average person. I don’t think I have any other talents than anybody else other than the fact that I wanted to go test myself and test human endurance. And I’m here to say, we CAN do so much more!”
— Ultramarathoner Molly Sheridan
Available also on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube
I hit the 777 jackpot too when Molly Sheridan agreed to return to the Podcast. We first met in 2014 in Las Vegas when I read about her book Running Past Midnight. [I credit Molly for inspiring me to lace up my shoes and get back to running marathons!] Ten years later, she’s run over 100 ultras and made history when she broke the record for the oldest female to complete the 777 Challenge.
The World Marathon Challenge® takes 60 athletes around the world in seven days to run marathons in Antarctica; Cape Town, South Africa; Perth, Australia; Dubai; Madrid, and finally Miami, Florida.
For Sheridan, no matter how long it takes, completing the race is key. But the longer the distance, the better.
“With that being said, for your listeners out there, it’s really not about ‘going.’ It’s really about moving and exercise, and just getting out there and walking in nature, and what that does for you, mentally and physically and spiritually. I’m just such a huge proponent of movement.”
Molly and I discuss all this and more:
- The challenges she faced getting to the starting line
- Running while raising money for charities
- What it’s like to run 184 miles in seven different countries (guess which one was the toughest!)
She is now a sought-after speaker on topics addressing “overcoming obstacles, persistence, adversity and problem solving.”
So whether it’s running seven marathons—or some other insane goal—Sheridan says there is nothing better than that feeling of accomplishment.
“I’m not a front runner, but being out there this time, I realized I need to stand in that place and embrace what I have done, knowing that that is my gift, and it’s meaningful and purposeful. I really had to stand in that and accept holy hell. I’m doing amazing things here.
“I know that sounds weird, but it took a long time for me to realize that I’m proud of my body. I do listen to it; I pay attention; I feed it; but it’s just been a gift, and I accepted all that and it was just a great feeling.”
seven straight days.
Come along with me and this “road warrior” on The Women’s Eye Podcast.
For more information about ultramarathoner Molly Sheridan and the World Marathon Challenge®, check out these links!
Website: mollysheridanruns.com
Facebook: Molly Sheridan
Instagram: @mollysheridanruns
Photos Courtesy World Marathon Challenge®
Some links in this post may be “affiliate links,” meaning TWE receives a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.
Leave a Reply