RUNNING a marathon is an applaudable endeavour.
More than one and you're showing off. 53 and you're utterly bonkers.
She's happy, bubbly and appears completely undaunted by the prospect of running roughly 1,378 miles in the upcoming weeks.
Yet that is what Manchester sports therapist Amy Hughes has challenged herself to do. One runner, 53 marathons in 53 days. Mental.
Amy Hughes is preparing to set a new world record with 53 marathons
"So why 53?" I ask. "Surely 50 would be a nicer even number?" Most of us would be happy with one.
"Well, the current world record stands at 52, and for a woman it's only 17. I wanted to see if I could beat that," smiles Hughes.
Hughes is happy, bubbly and appears completely undaunted by the prospect of running roughly 1,378 miles in the upcoming weeks. It would appear she's taking it in her stride.
"Are you not even a little bit scared?" is my next question. The challenge seems above and beyond what the human body is built to endure.
"My mum is more worried than me, but it's something I think I can do. It is a big feat though," laughs the 26-year-old runner. "But it's something I feel like I can finish, even if I have to walk it on some days. I'm just praying I don't get injured."
Hughes will begin her challenge on Wednesday 6 August in Chester. Her charity running will take her all over Britain, from marathons in England, Scotland and Wales, with the final and 53rd marathon in Manchester, finishing in Albert Square on Saturday 27 September.
"It is a big challenge but I've got great support and I want to promote the message of keeping active and fit. I'll have a small team with me for the 53 days. I have a driver and a physio as well as people collecting money on different parts of the journey for the Isabelle Lottie Foundation."
Hughes' running bibs designed by primary school students
The Isabelle Lottie Foundation is a small charity, set up in January 2014 to improve the awareness of brain tumours in children and young adults, whilst also fundraising to support vital research.
"It's a charity close to my home and I know a number of those involved in the charity that have lost a child. The money raised will go towards more research and raising awareness."
Yep, our thoughts exactly...
"I was inspired by a book I read about a man who ran 50 marathons in 50 different states in America. It just spiralled from there really," Hughes makes it sound so logical.
The man Hughes is referring to is Dean Karnazes, who's love of 'ultramarathons' prompted him to run 50 marathons in 50 states over 50 days. Until he turned 30, Karnazes had never been an avid runner, something that Hughes can identify with.
"In school I hated running," she says. "Then it just became something I did and I began training myself for marathons and events at 18 and 19. It's about finding something you enjoy."
Let's see how much her feet are enjoying it by the 53rd.
Good luck to her, we have a feeling she'll need it.
Follow Niamh Spence on Twitter at @missnspence
Follow Amy Hughes on Twitter at @53marathons and follow the Isabelle Lottie Foundation at @izzysfoundation
