Abby Wambach and Glennon Doyle Talk About Project Eclipse

Shalane Flanagan

For nearly two decades, she has been one of the greatest distance runners in history. Her achievements include three Olympic medals, a New York City Marathon championship and two Nike-sponsored world records.

As Shalane Flanagan announced her retirement from professional running in 2019, she knew she wanted to make a statement. So she devised Project Eclipse – an ambitious challenge to run all six major marathons this fall as both an attempt to rekindle her love of running and improve both mental and physical wellbeing.

After fulfilling her mission, she returned to New York for the first time since her 2017 triumph. However, this race was different this time; this year she joined a host of celebrities – and some athletes – as they ran in support of NYRR Team for Kids.

Celebrities included several former pro athletes and Olympians from other sports, TV stars, musicians and former contestants on “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” plus two members of British rock band Mumford & Sons.

She had the unique opportunity to meet Abby Wambach and Glennon Doyle in person, an incredible opportunity.

At the finish line, they mingled and shared their experiences. They discussed juggling marathoning with parenting responsibilities, enjoying running with Rise & Run events, and how to talk about healthy eating with young athletes.

This podcast episode is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed with all the choices that come along with achieving their dreams. We’ll have an inspiring conversation with a woman who continues to fight for her goals, and she’ll give you all of the tools necessary for success.

She’s endured the chaos of a global pandemic, having undergone two knee reconstructions and coaching, but she never lost her passion for running. She took on this mission not only to reclaim her love of the sport but also encourage others to follow their own goals.

At first, she was worried the Tokyo race would be cancelled due to the outbreak, but once that decision was made she was determined to finish her goal. Ultimately, she ran her sixth and final major race with an amazing 2:33:32 finish time – 12th fastest women’s time on the day!

She finished her run with a beaming smile on her face, and it left her stronger than before. She is an unbeatable athlete and champion whose feats have inspired us all.