Episode 24: What would it take?

On January 1st, 1997, Karen Queally decided that running every day was something she could do for herself. She had recently given birth to twin girls and she had another daughter, just a few years older. She’d run three miles or 45 minutes, whatever came first. And every January, she’d decide whether she’d like to renew the commitment. That was more than 20 years ago. Karen has kept her streak alive every day since. Now, she knew running every day would be difficult. She expected early flights and injury and illness. However, she didn’t expect just how much she would have to go through to keep going. And how maintaining control over her running would hold her together while her health and her home life deteriorated.  During this daily running practice, Queally saw her dreams expand. Karen is 163 marathons deep with 7490 days of running in a row. She has no plans to stop any time soon.

This episode of Human Race is brought to you by Brooks. Sign up for the Brooks Big Endorsement and become a sponsored athlete at www.BrooksAthlete.com/rw.

Episode Credits:

Host & producer: Rachel Swaby

Feedback from: Christine Fennessy and Brian Dalek

Theme music: Danny Cocke

Human Race is a proud part of Panoply