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Four-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan will run her way into the record books Sunday, as the American is set to become the first athlete to complete all six World Marathon Majors over a mere 42 days. Flanagan, a 40-year-old runner who claimed silver in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will finish her 157.2-mile quest with the New York City Marathon after running marathons in Berlin, London, Boston, Chicago and Tokyo (virtual).  

As if six marathons over six weeks wasn't daunting enough, Flanagan is doing so after an initial retirement and becoming a parent over the past two years. The Massachusetts native stepped away from competitive running in 2019 after undergoing two reconstructive knee surgeries and adopted a son in April 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, brought Flanagan back to the sport.

"During that time I became a mom and a coach, so there were a lot of life changes, and I realized how much of my mental health is tied into running. I actually really need running," Flanagan told ESPN. "It's not a job for me, it's a passion. I missed having goals. Athletes are so goal-oriented and everyone was goal-less during the pandemic.'"

Flanagan had only six weeks to prepare for her six-marathon goal, as she returned from the Tokyo Olympics in August and ran her first marathon in Berlin on Sept. 26. She hoped to finish in under three hours for each race and has done exactly that, going as fast as 2:35:04 in London.

The factor that inspired Flanagan's return also created the "once-in-a lifetime" opportunity to run six World Marathon Majors over such a short time period.  The pandemic forced Boston, London and Tokyo to delay their respective marathons from spring to October, compressing the schedule unlike ever before. 

"When I saw how the marathon schedule unfolded, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Flanagan said. "I coined it an eclipse because it was just so rare this would ever happen. It didn't take long for me to think, 'Why shouldn't I be the one to do it?'"

Flanagan made history at the New York City Marathon in 2017 by becoming the first American since 1977 to win, and she hopes to achieve another record at the event on Sunday -- even though the completion of her six-marathon quest will be bittersweet. 

"I'll be sad it's over," Flanagan said. "I didn't think I was going to enjoy it the way I have, but I think it's a testament to just the people I've included on my team to help me do this. I'm going to miss traveling the world with my crew of women and my son. We've just had a blast. The post-race celebration always includes French fries and champagne, so how could that ever be bad?"

The New York City Marathon is slated to start on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET.