The challenge is to run one more marathon – and Paula Radcliffe has taken the first steps towards that.
On Sunday, Radcliffe, 40, ran at the Worcester City 10k and it was a special occasion for more than one reason.
Not only was it her return to the sport in over two years, but her daughter Isla, 7, was also taking part and received a medal for competing in the Young Athletes Run.
As for mum, she was third in 35:49 as Jenny Nesbitt won in 34:22.
If all goes to plan, and no injuries disrupt the preparation, Radcliffe could end her competitive career next April at the London Marathon, the scene of her greatest glory when she broke the world record in 2003.
Prior to Sunday, she had not raced since April 2012 when she ran at the Vienna half-marathon which was part of her build-up towards the Olympic Games in London three months later but she never made it as injury ruled her out.
Still a prominent face in British athletics as part of the BBC commentary team, Radcliffe has unfinished business over the 26.2 miles, a distance where her world record of 2:15:25 from London remains.
Since then only a handful of women have gone under the 2:20 mark, with the biggest threat to beating it being Russian Liliya Shobukhova when she won in Chicago in 2011 in 2:18.20.
Three years after her sensational time, which broke the record of 2:17:18 she had set the previous autumn in Chicago, Radcliffe went on to win the marathon at the World Championships in Helsinki.
But bowing out in London would be something special both for her and the event.
Back in February she spoke of her plans to return, knowing it would be more of a farewell performance and not contemplating the times of the past.
Speaking to the BBC, she said: 'If I had to choose, sentimentally, it would be London.
'I am not being unrealistic. I am not thinking I can get back and run two hours 15 minutes but, if I could come back and run a sub 2:30 then I would like to do it.
'I would love to come back and run a marathon or even a half-marathon and just be able to finish my racing career on my terms. Very few people get to do that. I would just like the chance.'