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I spent two years (2018 & 2019) training for the journey. My objective, prior to the start, was to get my tendons, joints, muscles, bones, accustomed to the load they would be required to bear daily over the next two years. Typically on weekdays, I ran to work or back (20km a day). On weekends and holidays, I ran a marathon a day, sometimes for up to 8 days in a row.
I used 16 pairs of shoes to run 28,250km. That’s an average of 1,765km per pair. Seven pairs lasted longer than 2,500km and the rest of the shoes varied in quality. I bought a new pair every time the one I was wearing was going to pieces. Meaning I did not always have a choice of brand and model, and it did not bother me too much. In general, I sought the runners with the slimmest sole possible.
In terms of effort, I try never to breathe too hard, and stay at “conversational pace”, so as to be as comfortable as possible.
I run slowlier than I could. Pace and speed are quite irrelevant on my journey, what matters is to last long… years! I wear a GPS device to record my runs for validation purposes, but I never use the GPS data as a means to pace myself or check on my speed. Feeling comfortable is the key.
I also worked on my stride prior to the world-run, to ensure I land mid-sole. I used to be a heel striker and this could have caused issues in the long run. I have, over time, developed a very low stride with minimal impact.
I didn’t really pay much attention to what I eat. As long as I am not hungry and my body is functioning well, I assume I am doing a good job.
My routine on the world-run was more or less the same:
I wake up 1hr before starting the run and eat a solid breakfast. Once on the run, I don’t eat anything. I sometimes drink sodas during breaks in the second half of the run. After the run is over, I eat a solid lunch. I drank beers every day after the run. In the evening, I eat something very light as I am not often hungry (I go to bed early).
My eating habits varied on each continent, based on what was available. I found out that the difference in diets did not affect my running in any way, nor my recovery.
No! So many things happen in the mind when running repeatedly over long distances.
Some days I let it roam free. Some days I may be purely focused on listening to my body, scanning mentally from toes to head to check that everything is doing fine and working as should be. Some days I may take in all the sights, and get inspiration from the birds, trees, anything I set my eyes on. Some days I may try and control what I want to focus on. There are so many possibilities, so many ways to keep myself busy whilst on the road. Boredom is out of question!
I used to, but don’t anymore. I find music to be too much of a distraction when running, and my mind has a tendency to shift all its focus on music. For the world-run, I did not want it to possibly affect my ability to listen to signs of fatigue or discomfort in my body.
I can also become quite oblivious to my surroundings, which would be a pity on such a journey – and a potential danger as I am sharing the road with fast moving vehicles! I do, though, listen to music for relaxing after my runs.
Absolutely not! When the idea of running around the world took shape in my mind, I looked for inspiration from like minded fellow runners.
I found on Youtube the video-diary of Eddie Izzard, the British comedian who embarked on a “Run Around Britain in 43 marathons – in 50 days” for Sport Relief UK in 2009. Eddie had no running background whatsoever, most definitely did not conform to the physique of the typical marathonian. He set out to run at his own pace, engaging with people he met on the road, using his characteristic good humour and witty banter to keep himself motivated. He would stop for an ice cream and junk food as he pleased, to the dismay of his medical assistance team who was following his progress. He even enjoyed a couple of beers on the way. He did not give up, even though it must have been tremendously taxing for him. It totally spoke to me. Eddie is not a superhuman being. He was simply extremely driven to achieve his goal, he had deep rooted motivation and inspiration sources, got a mighty kick doing what he was doing and was completely detached from the idea of pace or speed.
Throughout the run across Europe, North America and South America, I had about 2 weeks of booking in advance at all times. I used mostly Booking.com, sometimes AirBnb as a complement. Overall I stayed in motels, hotels or rooms.
For the crossing of Australia, my friend James was driving a Motorhome, and we spent most nights sleeping in the van. This was quite handy, as I would have otherwise have been required to sleep in my tent by the side of the road, seeing as there was a roadhouse every 200km with… nothing in between!
I did not! I had worked for 2 years with a physio, prior to the world run. The objective was to be able to understand my biomechanics and identify if anything was changing or moving differently. Being able to address every potential issue as soon as I perceived the slightest tension somewhere. It worked, is all I can say!
The only injury I had was on my fingers. They got a bit distressed from being around the stroller’s handlebar for hours every day. I sorted out the issue by putting foaming rolls around the handlebar, making it more comfortable.
This was actually one of the purposes of the journey, meet people as well as see places.
Every day I started running early, sometimes before sunrise. This means I was done before lunchtime and had enough day-time to work, nap, recover, walk around and make connections.
I also used social media, my direct connections and those of friends, to spred the word and encourage people to join me on the road.
I wrote daily blog posts on my website, which was a sort of road book, with pictures and videos and Garmin data and maps. I also maintained a Facebook and an Instagram page with occasional significant highlights of my trip.
Now that the journey is completed, I have started writing the book. It will not be a day to day account of the world run (this is already written on the Blog). This will be more of the story of the world-run with more hinsights, more reflective as well.
In the immediate future, I am dedicating my time to writing the book, as well as preparing a series of conferences.
There are many learning points from this fabulous and arduous journey around the world that are worth sharing, and I would like to share it whilst it is still fresh in my mind.
Once I have covered these, I would like to return to work – and preferably for an NGO, why not a women-rights advocacy NGO.