She did what? Woman skates across U.S.

If you've considered crossing the United States on inline skates, first check with Kacie Fischer.

She's done it -- and it was quite an odyssey.

For 55 days, from April 28 through June 21, she traveled approximately 2,800 miles from Solana Beach, Calif., to Jacksonville, Fla., dipping a skate into the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. She's prepared documentation to send to the Guinness Book of World Records to be recognized in the category of "Fastest crossing of America on inline skates by a female."

Fischer, 27, is in Duluth this week in conjunction with Saturday's 17th NorthShore Inline Marathon. She'll definitely be at Friday's race expo at Pioneer Hall, promoting her fledgling athletic apparel company, Speedy Banana, but she may not race. Her body is still healing.

"I knew this effort was going to be tough, but the worst part was some of the roads we found," Fischer, a personal trainer, said this week from Ponte Vedra, Fla. "There were farming roads in Arizona, on the Mexican border, with 3 inches of dirt that meant I just walked in my skates. And in west Texas there were some horrible back roads with rocks that were just comical. I was in tears. And there were 30 mph headwinds that meant skating at 2-4 mph after averaging 15-20 mph."

The impetus for the trek was to raise money for Special Olympics on behalf of a male cousin who is autistic, and to inspire and motivate others. Because she was new to inline skating, she trained with inline coach Blair Atwell of Los Angeles for nine months, with some workouts in the rain to be prepared for anything.

Along on the trip was a support bus (which broke down three times) and an eight-person team, including Fischer's fiancé, Adam Cleveland, and friend Kevin Crossman, a triathlon coach, who rode a bike next to Fischer the entire way.

"I've always loved the idea of doing things that seem impossible; that's always intrigued me," said Fischer, who grew up in Bellingham, Wash., playing soccer, hockey and running cross country. "I like pushing it to the very limit."

She faced heart failure at age 21 and recovered. She's since had torn muscles, broken bones and infections, and a torn lung while racing up 86 flights of the Empire State Building in 2010. Following the 2,800 miles on inline skates, Fischer also has been diagnosed with compartment syndrome, a painful condition affecting leg muscles. That likely will keep her from racing the 26.2 miles along the North Shore on Saturday.

Briana Kramer of Orlando, Fla., won a second straight NorthShore Inline Marathon elite women's title last year in 1 hour, 21 minutes, 42.1 seconds. This year's race is designated as the U.S. Championships for men and women, with $1,100 going to the winner of each division.

17th NorthShore Inline Marathon

When: Saturday

Where: From Two Harbors to Duluth along North Shore Drive

Who: A field of 2,200 in inline marathon, 450 in inline half-marathon, 60 in roller-ski marathon and 190 in inaugural running half-marathon

Start times: Inline half-marathon, 6:45 a.m.; running half-marathon, 7 a.m.; inline marathon, 9:30 a.m.; roller-ski marathon, 10:25 a.m.

Finish: Alongside William A. Irvin ore boat on Harbor Drive

Prize money: $11,220 with $1,100 to the winning elite man and woman in inline marathon

On the line: U.S. Marathon Championships

Award ceremony: 4 p.m. Saturday, Pioneer Hall

Expo: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Pioneer Hall

Results: www.mtecresults.com

Information: northshoreinline.com; (218) 723-1503