Welcome to part 6 of my Great World Race series—7 marathons on 7 continents in just 7 days. If you’re catching up:
- Part 1 begins in icy Antarctica.
- Part 2 takes you to the sunny shores of Cape Town.
- Part 3 shares the PB magic in Perth.
- Part 4 dives into a chaotic night run in Istanbul (Europe).
- Part 5 recounts the gritty seaside battle in Istanbul (Asia).
Now we’re in Cartagena, Colombia. The heat and humidity were next-level, and my body was feeling the toll of six back-to-back marathons. With swollen legs, tough conditions, and a little too much chafing (ouch!), this was a marathon of patience, resilience, and a lot of ice water. Let’s dive in! 🌍💪
We landed in Cartagena early, and the moment I stepped off the plane, the heat and humidity hit me like a wall. By the time we started running at 8:30 am, I was already drenched. The course was a 4k loop, back and forth 10 times, with beautiful ocean views that made the tough conditions a little easier to bear.
Day 6: Cartagena, Colombia ☀️ – Heat, Humidity, and Swollen Everything
My body wasn’t feeling great—my right thigh, still hurt, swollen and sore from Istanbul, wasn’t happy, and the heat made breathing tough. I decided early on to slow down and take it easy. My ego, thankfully, stayed in Istanbul, so I focused on moving from one aid station to the next.
The volunteers were incredible, rubbing ice on my back, pouring water over my head, and cheering us on every step of the way. Around 10k, my digestion acted up again, but I managed to get back on track quickly. After that, it was just about pacing myself and surviving the rising sun and humidity.
But the real kicker? My shorts decided to rebel, leaving my left inner thigh raw and bleeding by the end. That pain was the worst!
I crossed the finish line at 4:09, proud and happy—not wrecked, just relieved to be done. On the way to the hotel, I noticed my fingers were swollen to twice their size. My belly felt bloated, and my body was clearly holding on to every bit of water I’d poured over myself during the race. The
After the marathon, my “plane roomie” Angel and I treated ourselves to a massage and wandered through Cartagena’s stunning old town. It was colorful, vibrant, and absolutely beautiful—a much-needed escape.
By 10 pm, we were back at the airport, completely exhausted but ready for the flight to Miami. Four hours of sleep on the plane never sounded so good.
Cartagena, you were tough, but you gave me a finish I’ll never forget. On to the next!
