Long distance running has always been about overcoming physical and mental obstacles. For Washington DC lawyer Remigia Davis, though, those roadblocks are more challenging than most runners face.

Davis, 39, has sickle beta thalassaemia, an inherited condition that affects haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to different parts of the body. The disorder can cause fatigue, jaundice, and episodes of pain from mild to very severe.

“I have to be prepared at all times,” said Davis, who will run the 10K and half-marathon this weekend. “I must be cautious during my training and aware of factors that could affect my health and cause a crisis — things that the average runner doesn’t necessarily focus on.

“I have to take additional steps to prepare for a race. Since my condition causes severe dehydration, I have to increase my fluid intake the week leading up to my races and receive outpatient infusion treatments. Due to the fact that I could have a crisis at anytime, I keep pain medication on me at all times as a precaution.

“I have been experiencing chronic pain since birth. It’s often brought on by cold temperatures, dehydration, exhaustion and altitude. Since there is no cure, I manage the pain with medication and lots of prayer. If the pain becomes too severe, I have to be hospitalised.”

In 2013, Davis suffered a major sickle cell and thalassaemia crisis, and nearly lost her life. A few months after she recovered, a co-worker invited her to join him in a 5K race.

“I initially said ‘no’ out of fear, but eventually I agreed,” she says. “Needless to say, I was slower than a turtle with lead weights strapped to my legs — but I finished! After that, I set out on a goal to run a half-marathon in celebration of my life.

“When I embarked on that journey in 2014, I researched countless training plans to prepare. After much research of various plans I knew that the running schedules and plans would put me at risk of a crisis, so I developed a training plan of my own that would allow my body sufficient time to adjust and adapt to the wear and tear that training puts on the body. I have to use more gradual training methods so as to not trigger a crisis.

“Additionally, I consulted with my doctors and specialists to determine the best plan of action and what medical precautions should be taken. As a result, in addition to the physical training for my races, I have infusions before and after each race and regularly during training as a proactive means of preventing a crisis.

“I trained from January 2014 to December of that year and was blessed to complete my first half-marathon. Overwhelmed by this accomplishment, I set out to complete a half-marathon on all seven continents. Three continents and 13 half-marathons later, I am still at it.”

To date, Davis has completed international half-marathons in Jamaica, Canada, Spain and New Zealand. She will be running the Two Oceans half-marathon in Cape Town, South Africa in March, and the Great Wall half-marathon in Beijing, China in May. Davis says her plan is to complete her seven-continent tour by running in a half-marathon in Antarctica in 2017.

Her personal best time for a half-marathon is 2:37; her goal is to post a time between 2:15 and 2:30, she said.

“I am cautious and aware of my medical restraints and, yes, I have to put in the physical work — but the hardest part is getting your mind on board,” she says. “I no longer allow my medical condition to hinder me; I run so that I can bring awareness to my disease. If you believe you can do it, you will.”

The visit this week is Davis’ first trip to Bermuda. “I’m expecting exciting races with beautiful views and encouraging crowd support,” she said.