"Man runs seven marathons on seven continents in seven days at record speed"
~ Sports Illustrated
Today I am beyond excited to introduce you to Michael Wardian. I've actually had his profile teed up for a couple weeks now. But his resume is so long and robust that I've needed more time than usual to put this one together. As you may know, Michael has been doing unbelievable things in the running world for several years. I would say, in reading through his bio, that he's really almost superhuman. And, at the same time, he's one the kindest, most humble, down to earth guys. Which, of course, makes him that much cooler. I connected with Wardian after I heard him talking with Mario Fraioli about his record breaking World Marathon Challenge in which he ran a marathon on seven continents in seven days in an average pace of 2:45. Let me pause so you can digest that for a moment. Basically, when he wasn't running, he was on an airplane flying to the next continent, eating, changing his shoes and attempting to get some sleep before his next marathon. Just, in my opinion, totally insane. But he didn't stop there. After his 7 in 7, he decided to continue on and attempt his own personal challenge of completing 10 marathons in 10 days in an average time of sub 3 hours. Which he also did. He ran his ninth and fastest of the 10 in 2:48:43 and became a Guinness World Record holder upon finishing. While that feat is totally mind-blowing in and of itself, it's just one small piece of his epic running career which he somehow manages while also working as an International ship broker, coaching and raising kids. I knew Michael was a music fan because he runs for Jaybird, a company that I proudly represent as an ambassador. He also guided a runner at last year's Boston marathon and volunteered for the Blindfold Challenge at the BAA 5K to raise awareness for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind And Visually Impaired, an organization that is near and dear to my heart. So, after hearing all these many bits and pieces of his incredible story, I just felt like I wanted to know more. Or to know him. Or both. In addition to the aforementioned world record at the World Marathon Challenge he also holds the below Guiness World Records:
~ World Marathon Majors(Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, NYC)-2:31:09 Avg
~ Running a Fastest Marathon pushing a Pram-2:42
~ Fastest Marathon as a Super Hero (Spider-man)-2:34
~ Indoor World Record for fastest indoor Marathon (2:27:21)
~ Indoor 50K (3:06:07) on 200 Meter Track
~ 50K World Record on a treadmill in 2:59:49 (2015)
That's right, folks. An INDOOR 50K. Take a second to read through his entire bio when you have a sec. It's mind boggling. Michael will be coming in to run Boston this weekend so I wanted to get this post out today as a little inspiration piece for all of us to chew on as the marathon events unfold. Whether you are are a runner or not, I don't believe you if you tell me you're not in awe of this guy. Huge thanks to Michael for taking time out of his ridiculously busy schedule to tell us more about himself. Okay, that's it from me. Let's me Michael Wardian, a runner who rocks.
RWR:MICHAEL WARDIAN
Source:iancorless.org
Where you're from: Oakton, VA-United States of America
Where you reside now: Arlington, VA (about 13 miles from Arlington)
Age: 44 years old will be 45 on April 12, 2019
Occupation: International Ship Broker, Professional Runner, Coach
Blog/website: www.mikewardian.com
MABVI Blindfold Challenge
ON RUNNING & MUSIC:
What do you love most about running?
What I love most about running is moving through the world under my own power and seeing just where my limits are and then pushing to shatter them.
What do you love most about music?
What I love about music is that it can move you deeply and each song can have an unique meaning for each person. I also love that music can transform an experience and give your a soundtrack to whatever activity you are doing.
MICHAEL'S FAVORITES:
Band (current, all time or both): Current: Coldplay / all time: NWA
Album (current, all time or both): Current: Cleopatra-Lumineers / all time: Snoopdog-Doggystyle or Dave Matthews Band-Under the Table and Dreaming
Race venue: Boston Marathon
Music venue: Michigan State University Auditorium
Race distance: All time: Marathon, currently: As far as possible
Show you've seen live: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds Live
Ice cream flavor: Lemon sorbet as I don’t eat dairy anymore
THIS OR THAT?
Sweet or salty? Salty
Live or recorded? Record live
Coffee or tea? Tea
Summer or winter? Summer
MORE MUSIC INFO:
Which band or artist would you go see tonight if you could? Lumineers
Which band or artist (wait...but no longer alive or playing together) would you go see tonight if you could? Doors
Which band or artist would you like to have dinner with tonight if you could? Sting
Which band or artist would you like to be playing alongside you during your next race (or long run)? Rage Against the Machine
LUMINEEERS
Today I feel like (fill in the blank):
Amazingly spry...I have been feeling rundown post FKT but today I feel great.
Top 5 Songs for running, dancing or both?Running:
1) In the Air tonight, Phil Collins
2) Country Roads-John Denver
3) Killing in the Name off-Rage Against the Machine
4) Don’t Panic-Coldplay
5) Lose Yourself-Eminem
Dancing:
1) Safety Dance
2) Sweetdreams
3) Disco Inferno
4) Oh what a night
5) Sugar Magnolias
Last 5 Songs you listened to today?
1) 100 Miles and Running-NWA
2) Hey Ho-Lumineers
3) Country Road-John Denver
4) Seven Nation Army-White Stripes
5) Bust a Move-Young MC
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