Sinead Kane is an extraordinary young woman from Cork, who has just 5% vision. Yesterday, Sinead departed Dublin Airport destined for Chile, via Madrid, to take on the World Marathon Challenge of 7 marathons, in 7 days, across 7 continents. Here, Sinead gives us an update on the first leg of her many flights.

Firstly, I have to say a huge thank you to everyone for their kind words leading up to my departure from Ireland yesterday afternoon. I’ve been so overwhelmed by all of the well wishes and messages on Twitter, especially after I spoke to Ryan on the Tubridy Show, and featured on RTE News last night! I just can’t believe it.

We had an emotional departure leaving Dublin airport - as I may have mentioned before, I have a big fear of flying! Thankfully, Aoife Lawlor from Allianz drove there to see me off which made a big difference – I am so grateful for her support.

I got through the first flight and we landed in Madrid. We had to wait six hours before our next flight to Chile, but thankfully those six hours flew in. The airport was so big that we had to get a car and a train to bring us from one terminal to the other!

During the flight to Santiago, the exhaustion really set in. I suppose with all of the excitement leading up to this big trip, I hadn’t been sleeping a whole lot. It's a 13-hour flight from Madrid to Santiago, followed by a connecting flight to Punta Arenas.

All I wanted to do was sleep - I wished I was in my own nice comfortable bed at home, all snuggled up with my electric blanket on, but I know that I just have to get on with it though, sure the challenge hasn’t even started yet!

Anyone who knows me will tell you what a picky eater I am, mainly because I am vegetarian and like to stick to a very simple diet, so when the airplane meal came out I made no exception! Luckily, I have my guide runner, John, on hand to keep me on track when it comes to food. He constantly reminds me about how nutrition fuels the body – something I need to remember as I am about to run seven marathons in seven days!

Once again, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the support. I’ve a big journey ahead of me, and I want to do myself and Allianz proud.

Next up, we head to Antarctica where we will need get acclimatised to the weather. In Santiago, Chile, it’s 26 degrees, whereas our next destination is minus 30!

I really hope you’ll all continue to support me during this challenge, it means the world.