7 continents

2023 - 3 - 4

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Image courtesy of "The Oakland Press"

Local woman completes 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days (The Oakland Press)

Earlier this year, the 59-year-old Farmington Hills resident completed a feat that would be unfathomable to many: Running seven marathons in seven days on seven ...

She had the full support of her family, which includes her husband and two sons. While the 7-7-7 challenge definitely pushed Zhu to her limits, she wasn’t alone in her journey. Her best marathon time was 3:48:29 in Asia while she recorded her longest time of 4:36:44 in Antarctica. The first World Marathon Challenge was held in 2015. To prepare for the task, Zhu spent countless hours running in the morning and participating in cross-training exercises. While her plan was originally to run just one marathon when she turned 50, Zhu said people kept encouraging her to do more and before she knew it, she had run marathons in Boston, New York, Chicago, Detroit and other cities and countries.

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Image courtesy of "Travel+Leisure"

I've Been to All 7 Continents, and These 15 Genius Amazon Finds ... (Travel+Leisure)

I've Been to All 7 Continents, and These 15 Genius Amazon Finds Changed the Way I Travel · Cabeau Evolution S3 Airplane Travel Neck Pillow · Venture Pal Backpack.

[Darn Tough’s Merino Wool Socks](https://www.amazon.com/Darn-Tough-Merino-Cushion-5-5-7-5/dp/B000XFYDS2?tag=travelandleisure-onsite-prod-20&ascsubtag=7185450%7Cn52b4f3855d9a4443a363302179395a2f15%7C) while on a trip to Vermont, where they’re made. Because they can’t leak and they’re TSA-friendly, they’re convenient to travel with, and of course they’re also more sustainable since they don’t come in plastic bottles. And thanks to its climate Lock double-wall vacuum insulation, it keeps drinks cold for up to 63 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 24 hours. [Etekcity Luggage Scale](https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Portable-Handheld-Suitcase-Temperature/dp/B082LYC2TN?th=1&tag=travelandleisure-onsite-prod-20&ascsubtag=7185450%7Cn52b4f3855d9a4443a363302179395a2f15%7C) is a lifesaver if you’re prone to overpacking like me or you just like having peace of mind knowing you won’t get to the airport and have to pay a hefty overweight baggage fee. [space-saver bags](https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-vacuum-bags-6753391) have to be my favorite. It’s easy to wheel around, thanks to a precision glide system, and it can expand by two inches if you need more space. While it’s not an entry-level camera, it’s intuitive to use (I’m not great with technology), and it’s packed with features that make it best in class. [Venture Pal Backpack](https://www.amazon.com/Venture-Pal-Lightweight-Packable-Backpack/dp/B07PY3CV1J?tag=travelandleisure-onsite-prod-20&ascsubtag=7185450%7Cn52b4f3855d9a4443a363302179395a2f15%7C), even if it’s just stashed in my purse. There’s also a chin strap, so the pillow stays around my neck and doesn’t slide to one side. With seven continents under my belt, you could say I’m a frequent flier — so I know how to get comfortable on planes. I get the bulk of my travel gear there, and so far, I have no regrets (the free returns help). Experts say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in something.

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