Saturday, April 5, 2008

M is for More than One Mile

(MILWAUKEE) We have breaking news from downtown Milwaukee. A mom in her early 30s broke a personal record yesterday while running on a treadmill at a downtown fitness center. The woman threw a towel over the monitor on her treadmill and just started to run. She made it for 15 minutes, then decided she wasn't winded or in pain, and went another 5 minutes, then another 5 minutes, then she eased down the speed a bit. She pulled the towel off the monitor only to see that she had run ***2.1 miles***.



"How can this be?" asked a friend since high school. "She used to wheeze through running the perimeter of the school in gym class."


Her parents were equally dismayed. "I can't believe it. Is she okay?" asked her mom. "Can she still walk? Is she breathing?"


Crews tried to reach her older sister for comment. The older sister was running herself, and said "Two miles? I'm training for a half marathon. I can do two miles in my sleep. But good for her. I'm proud of her."


The woman had been struggling to get past the 1.25 mile mark, having a particularly bad run just this past Wednesday. She credits her success to some research, and a great playlist on her MP3 player.


"I started digging around on some running websites. One site said not to eat 2 hours before running to avoid side-cramps. It also said not to stretch before a run, but to warm up by walking for about 5 minutes," she told a reporter while gasping for breath. "I honestly could not have done it without my playlist. Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Finger 11, Cake, Audioslave, and Muse all had a lot to do with this success."


Trying not to rest too much on a one-time record, the woman is planning to replicate the feat again on Monday.

65 comments:

Unknown said...

GOOD FOR YOU!!! That is quite an accomplishment...If I didn't work all day today, I'd go walking...tomorrow is for sure!!!!

Lisa Petrarca said...

YAY for you!! I just posted a similar Blog about my running adventure with a very enthusiastic mom/personal trainer at football practice who pressures us to get out of our chairs...the nerve!

Keep it up, I heard it gets easier, I'm still waiting.

EmmaP said...

freakin awesome. Way to Go! Back in April I started walking. A mile seemed like quite a journey. Then 2, then 3... Then I decided to take it to the Mtns. 3 miles up and down a mountain works my old saggy bod like 5miles! and Now I can't believe I've started trail running! (ok - so far i am just running the down slopes and walking the flats...but it still counts)

Good for you and I hope all goes well on your upcoming 5K!!! Congrats on being the FB today as well. I look forward to browsing around s'more.

Buttons and Dots Photography said...

I can't run to get the phone! i never was a runner and probably never will be, but I envy you anyway! I get so jealous when I see people out running when i am on my way to work. You go girl!

trash said...

It is all about listening to your body rather than reading the numbers, huh?

Kathi Roach said...

Hilarious!
Keep going...you may surprise yourself.
I'm training to run in a marathon....why? because I'm an idiot. It's been a heck of a journey.

Happy SITS day!

Anonymous said...

Good for you! And good to know that you've recovered enough to retain your sense of humor. :)

I love running myself - and it's such a boost when I go farther/faster than I had before.

Keep it up girl! Happy SITS day!

Heather said...

My iPod has gotten me through many a workout at the gym, but the best I've ever done is a mile and a half before feeling like I'm about to melt into a cramping puddle of goo and cellulite... My "fastest" - and I'm using that in quotes for a reason - mile is 15 minutes. I'm fairly certain that cold molasses can beat my "fast" mile time. Also, possibly glaciers - there is global warming to help them out now, after all. When I say that 15 min is my fastest mile, I mean that by the end I'm wheezing and red-faced and sweaty and gulping water. I'm not sure that I could beat a 15 minute mile even if George Clooney were waiting at the finish line.

Oh who am I kidding - if George were waiting at the finish line, I bet I could break the sound barrier. I just would choose not to because I wouldn't want to meet him all wheezing and red-faced and sweaty! :D

Cheers and congrats on being the FB o' the day! I've been enjoying your blog for a while now, glad to know you're getting lots of comment love!

Unknown said...

Wow, way to go! That running is a killer.... thank God for ipods!

Creative Junkie said...

congratulations!! That's a huge accomplishment! The last time I ran that far was in my dreams.

Heather said...

The only thing better than a great playlist is having a BFF to work out with. Especially after a fight with your husband. Man, I can go three miles without thinking about it when I'm mad or excited about something. My BFF and I push each other to do better, and support each other when we "fall off the wagon" and feel bad about it. Good luck on keeping it up...cute post!

Cassie said...

Congrats! I admire people who can run any distance, I give up too easily!

wendy said...

That's GREAT!! I ran one mile once and I was beyond proud of myself since I'd never run before!

Keep up the good work and congrats again, SITSta.

Melanie Dickens said...

I've been walking for awhile. Once the kids go back to school I'm going to step it up and start running. You did great!

Vicki said...

Way to go girl! I fully expect the band, media and heck, even the President to come out and issue a proclamation the next time I step on a treadmill. I just hope I'm still alive to enjoy the accolades.

Keep it up!

Feliz said...

You rock! I have posted a few things about the marathon I am training for as well. Don't get too impressed. I am speed walking it and running occasionally, so it is not nearly as hard as running it. It is amazing how doable these things are when you just get into the right head space and decide to do them. Good luck on your 5K! You're gonna do great.
PS. Try running OUTSIDE. I know, it's a novel concept, with all of the fancy gyms and stuff, but sometimes you can distract yourself with scenery and people and before you know it a couple of miles have gone by.

Unknown said...

Great job! And fun to read about!

Tracy P. said...

Yea for you!!

Jodi said...

YaY for you!!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

hurray! take the little victories...although running over 2 miles is big time huge!!!!

Claremont First Ward said...

Way to go. If I threw a towel over the "clock" I'd be lucky to make it through a quarter of a mile. :)

Kelly said...

I've just recently began the C25K challenge myself...1 minute of running is still kickin my a@#!!
You give me hope that their is relief in my future!!
BTW, I want your playlist!!!!

Party of 5 said...

AWESOME! Running has my chest burning in 5 mins. Darn mountains.

Happy SITS Day.

katylinvw said...

woohoo! congrats! your blog is super cute! hope you're enjoying your SITS day!

Peggy said...

You beat my record by about 2.1 miles. Congrats!

Peggy said...

You beat my record by about 2.1 miles. Congrats!

Aubrey said...

That was funny!
Lots of claps for you!
I always have a better run when I have good tunes on the iPod.

thotlady said...

Good for you! I used to run, now I walk on the treadmill. Better on the knees and back.

Hang in there!

Ronnica said...

Nice. Creative post! Congrats on your SITS day!

Unknown said...

Woo Hoo!!!! Congrats on the good run. Keep up the good work. I think throwing the towel over the monitor is key. I always do better if I'm not watching every detail.

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

That is awesome. I would have gone unconscious after the first 1/4 mile. You ROCK. I love this post. It is a great read. I love your blogging voice!

MaricrisG said...

That's what I call determination or for a lack of better term "obsession". I wish I can have that. I couldn't even walk a mile-darn this lazy legs :) But I'll keep her in mind- maybe she'll inspire me.

Michelle said...

Great job! It's such a great feeling, isn't it? And yep, stretching before running actually causes more injuries if you stretch too much (easy to do) because your joints etc don't hold together the way you need them to when running. May I suggest coolrunnings.com as a resource? How are are you up to now? (And I'm so with you on needing to throw the towel over the treadmill monitor!)

elizabeth said...

That's about the funniest running post I've ever read! I'm a big baby in the heat, so I've stopped running for the summer, though still kinda sorta working out. Can't wait to get back though. :)

Live.Love.Eat said...

Ha ha. Cute take on reporting your record. Very cool! IT's such an amazing feeling. One day I ran much longer & probably broke my personal record. When I was nearly done & in front of my house I almost started crying. Such a state of euphoria. It really is the greatest prozac out there.

mrsmouthy said...

2 hours without eating? I'm out.

Being Honest said...

So awesome! My goal is 5 miles without stopping. Someday I will reach that goal. I'd settle for 2 miles (I can't even do that yet). GREAT JOB! I wish I was you right now!

♥ Becky ♥ said...

What a great post, I like the way you did it.
Great job on the run. I know what it feels like to be stuck at one point and not be able to go any further and then you actually do. It's such an exhilarating accomplishment.

Suzanne's Blog, Jane's Blog said...

Great job, keep it up. I use to walk 6 to 8 miles a day, no running for me. Have to get back to it, I think this just gave me the push I need....Thanks

Mrs4444 said...

Hooray! That's 2.1 more miles than I WALKED today :)

Cristin said...

Good for you! I get winded running errands....

Rhea said...

Fabulous breaking news story! Way to go!

Unknown said...

Yay, you! I love that you listened to your body and not the little moniters. Funny how our minds get us thinking we can only do so much.
Awesome playlist, btw. :)

Jess NBP said...

That's AWESOME!! I walk pushing a stroller with about 50+lbs in it and it still takes me about 15minutes to walk that.

HAPPY SITS DAY again.
Jessica
MomDot Street Team

Just say Julie said...

Oh I love my couch to 5K training! I still don't want to run unless something is chasing me, but I'm pushing thorugh with help form my playlists too. Congrat's on your feature!

Anonymous said...

Eh . . . I'm tired now just from reading it. Where's my inhaler? LOL!

Lindsey said...

I've never been a runner. I guess I just don't have a good enough play list on my Mp3 player. :)

filoli said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
filoli said...

How flippin cute are you...throwing the towel over the treadmill...a fabulous strategy...loved it! I agree with previous commenter about doing the Couch to 5k training plan...hit this you can download it to your ipod or mp3 player and he will coach you through all of the intervals...next thing you know you are running a 5k...that is 3.1 miles babyyyyyyy

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=173959170

or at

http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/index.html

Debbie said...

One Mile, two miles, it eventually turns into alot more and you will be running a 10K before you know it! Good luck to you!

Melissa Lester said...

Was this on CNN? Just kidding. Wow! I was so proud of myself in college when I worked up to one mile. I think I would have called a news crew, or at least everyone in my cell phone, if I accomplished a run like that!

Casey's trio said...

You should be very proud of yourself and I hope you were able to recreat this milestone:)

Kaza said...

Very inspiring. I haven't been able to truly exercise since my daughter was born, but I'm hoping to change that now. I don't think I'll ever be a runner, but if I can at least get to the gym for workouts I'll have made a huge change.

Amy said...

I REALLY REALLY need to get back on a treadmill some time in the near future.

Angie's Spot said...

Wow, congratulations! I'm starting a couch to 5k program next week and am praying just to get through the first workout at this point. Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

Congratulations !!!!

I'm working on getting up to speed with my walking and biking. I'm finding have more energy..

WheresMyAngels said...

I'm worn out just reading!

Rachelle Lynne said...

I like to exercise to Latin Dance music. Gets the adrenaline rushing! Congrats on your running adventure!

Tiffany said...

See.Sydney.Run

Run.Sydney.Run.

Briana said...

LOL I hear you. I run with a friend and after it seems like we are running forever, it's not like we went anywhere! LOL... Good for you - you'll do fine on the 5k!

Cy said...

Yippers! I need to get out of this chair.

AdriansCrazyLife said...

Good for you! I've been sneaking down to the workout room at work to spend a few minutes walking on the treatmill.

I always feel so good when I do this, but I have this terrible sense of guilt over taking breaks. I don't know why - I always envy the smokers sitting out on the back steps smoking and visiting. If they can pay them to smoke, why should I feel bad that they are paying me to do something healthy?

Jennifer P. said...

Awesome!!! I agree--a good playlist makes ALL the differece! Plus it has the added bonus of drowning out all the huffing and puffing sounds :)!

Hope you reach your 5K goal!

(and I just have to add that the no robot letters I have to type in are deathro :)!--ha!)

Sunshine said...

i.am.so.proud.of.her.

:)

Summer said...

Who is this madwoman? She must be stopped. Good thing you tipped us off as to her whereabouts. We can't have these crazy mothers lurking on hidden treadmills in some sick attempt to become fit. Bloggers with fat butts unite. All for one and all for chocolate.