ULTRAMARATHON GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
It all started with a conversation. “I read an article several years ago about an organization that runs races in Antarctica.”
What kind of races? I asked.
“A marathon I believe.”
Well that sounds like fun. Yep, that’s right. It’s what I thought while hearing there’s a potential run in Antarctica. Why did I think this? Antarctica had been on my mind to travel to for several years. I had traveled to all the other continents and experienced many different incredible moments. Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Ferratas in Italy. Walking the city streets in Buenos Aries. Spending time with friends sailing in Australia and the hike to the tallest peak on the continent. Not to mention the best street food in my life in Vietnam and mountains that mixed Switzerland, Himalayas, and Colorado in New Zealand. Listening to the call of prayer at sunset in Morocco, and countless travels to Europe. Yet, Antarctica had remained aloof.
I had never thought of an ultra marathon. In fact, I have never run a marathon. Never run a half marathon. I recall running a 10K one time when I was a young teenager. Sure, I ran cross country and track in high school, yet I was never good, let alone earning points for my high school team.
Pulling out my phone, I googled Antarctica Marathon. There it was. Listed first! Clicked the link, found the number and called. Even better, Marathon tours picked up. Our conversation was all about the Antarctica race. At the time of the call, it was late October and Marathon Tours had a race scheduled in March of 2024, 2025, 2026, and I’m sure beyond.
We also have an Antarctica ultramarathon option…
Sign me up, I said.
“Well, it’s our most popular trip. How many?”
One. There’s gotta be a spot.
“There might be. There’s definitely spots for one in 2025 and 2026.”
Let’s focus on 2024. So there are two trips?
“Yes, by the popularity of the experience. Both races have marathons on the continent and the first boat has our first ever ultra marathon.”
That’s exactly what I want, I immediately blathered. My entire being thought, if I’m going ALL the way to the most remote continent on the planet, I’m not going for some half marathon, or even a marathon. Give me the challenge. The biggest risk. The biggest reward.
“Have you have run an ultra marathon, she asked?”
Nope.
“It’s quite difficult and there’s the fact you’re running in Antarctica.”
That’s why I’m interested.
We discussed my qualifications. From being a Colorado 14er Finisher, running multiple off the beaten path challenges in R2R2R in the Grand Canyon, Sea to Summit in Haleakala National Park and Trans Zion in Utah.
“Wow.” Then she said: “All of that is really impressive, yet you really should run an ultra marathon first before signing up for the Antarctica race.”
Great. I’ll call you in two weeks.
And for the first time in my life, I searched for ultra marathons. Sure enough, in early November, there was a race in Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas. And they offered a 50k. The same distance the race was in Antarctica. With little thought, I signed up, got the email and information about the race. And thus began one of the most incredible adventures of my life.
It all happened by a friend saying they read an article. Good thing I was listening.
I set myself up to fail. Spectacularly fail. Instead, I succeed in ways I never imagined. Nearing the end of the first race, I said out loud “I can do this. I’m finishing in under seven hours.” It’s not just that I said it. I felt it throughout my body and mind to the point where you can feel your blood pumping from your heart flowing through your veins. The more you say it, the more you feel your body and mind moving past pain and the current situation to visualizing accomplishing the goal. Even through there was ups and downs in elevation, my pace picked up. Each mile I get faster. Each mile I monitored my time and by mile 28, I knew I was going to be under 7 hours. The last two plus miles are a whirlwind because all I could think of was performing at my best. Thinking how amazing this experience is running when I know so many people in their late 40’s are simply incapable of doing such things. As I turned the final corner I passed the finished line with a time of 6:55:55. My first ultra marathon was in the books. I had qualified for Antarctica with four minutes to spare.
On Monday after the weekend of the race, I called Marathon Tours and told them the good news. Perhaps it’s because a lot of people say they’re going to do something, it’s still a surprise when so few actually follow through. To say they were surprised would be understating the conversation. Thought it all, there was a spot for the 2024 Antarctica trip. I immediately blurted out, so do you take American Express?
From a phone call three weeks before to running my first ultra marathon, I had qualified for an ultra marathon in Antarctica. Now, how would I train? What would I run next? How would I prepare myself? Thus began the ideas of how to put all these questions together into action. By January 2024, I was traveling across the world. Literally, I booked one way flights around the planet. From climbing the tallest peak in Taiwan, Mt. Agung volcano summit on Bali, and let’s not forget illegally crossing the border to hit the tallest peak in UAE but was actually in Oman, I trained while traveling across the world. This doesn’t even include dancing events in many different countries. While visiting a friend in Singapore, I booked the next ultramarathon: the 64k Baynon in Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
NEVER RUNNING RACES TO PODIUM FINISHES
The Angkor Wat race taught me how to run through any pain. Temperatures nearing 90 degrees Fahrenheit as the race progressed, I learned the valuable lessons of nutrition, mindset, and to never stop running. Like climbing all those 14ers in Colorado, you find a way, a safe way, but still a way to press on, and keep moving through adversity. Despite all the challenges, I finished 5th in my age group in Cambodia.
Antarctica taught me consistency. Australia taught me I can run through the harshest conditions. Switzerland taught me running with gratitude. Madagascar taught me how to win a race with E.coli. Patagonia taught me how to run my own race. Each and every time we put ourselves through adversity, we learn skills and hopefully with those skills, wisdom.
Never did I imagine running races. Never did I imagine winning races. Never did I imagine obtaining a world record. In the span of six months, I went from running 50k trail races in just under 7 hours to under 5 hours. With consistently running 50k ultras under 5 hours, I decided to look up if there actually was a world record and was it even possible.
“Oh my goodness there is a record!” I exclaimed to myself with no one in a hotel room. Making rough calculations of my race times to the record, I realized it was possible. More than possible. I was capable. I started to believe. This wasn’t about a record, or even about myself. Far beyond about the running. It’s about this journey. This moment. Take this moment to grow to learn.
FIND COMFORT WITHIN BEING UNCOMFTORABLE, AND HOLD ON TIGHT.
Now what most people do is panic. Perhaps feel the fear of failure. The daunting task of 26 miles in and 5 miles remaining. Everything hurts and how the fuck am I going to finish this race and be under the time I want to achieve. I too have had these thoughts and experiences. Training matters. Run training? Perhaps. The best training: the mind. Over the years of climbing 58 14ers all across the state of Colorado, you eventually get to incredibly daunting peaks. Perhaps the wind is constantly on your mind. Maybe the temperature is much colder than expected. You’re definitely concerned about how safe the cairned route is to the summit, and knowing the summit is just halfway. It’s normal to think: I should just turn around. Even a good idea sometimes. What takes real courage based on a balance of skill, ability, and belief that you can accomplish the summit. Before you know it, you’re done 20 14ers, start to hike the more challenging peaks. Each time accruing the necessary skills for survival and belief in your abilities.
The same could be said for ultra running. Find your inner game.
During the hardest parts of the race, the most painful moments where your body is screaming to your mind you cannot move anymore. What are you going to say back? What you chose is what skill you want to gain. Rise. Keep moving. I believe in me. I’m so lucky I can do this.
LEARN TO BE A MASTER OF EXECUTION
Looking back at this whole experience, I want to share how blessed I am. While my name is in the records, there are countless people who have assisted. So many people I will not be able to personally thank: airport employees, flight attendants, pilots, ground crew, guides, hotel employees, everyone whom I met along the way impacted me and this journey. It is with special thanks to my dear friends and family whom I get to share the adventures with, who cheer me on no matter where I am on earth.
