In Alberta, a remarkable feat has been achieved: DonnaJean Wilde has broken the world record for the longest time held in an abdominal plank position, clocking in at an astounding 4 hours, 30 minutes, and 11 seconds.
DonnaJean’s journey to this achievement is fascinating. About a decade ago, she broke her wrist and found herself in a cast. Determined to keep her fitness routine going, she discovered the benefits of planking. It was a way to elevate her heart rate without putting strain on her injured wrist.
What adds another layer of intrigue to this story is the connection to the previous record holder. Interestingly, the former record was held by another Canadian named Dana, also from Alberta, with a time of 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 55 seconds. It’s a curious coincidence that both record holders share not only nationality and province but also a similar name.
“My elbows hurt pretty bad,” DonnaJean explained when she completed her record-breaking plank.
DonnaJean found the initial two hours to pass swiftly, yet the subsequent two were notably tougher. “The final hour was the hardest, trying to maintain focus and proper form,” she remarked. But she overcame the hurdle by focusing on her form, breathing, and stability.
Normally, DonnaJean planks for three hours daily. However, in preparation for this record attempt, she increased it to six hours, splitting it into two three-hour sessions.
She started incorporating this exercise into her daily routine 12 years ago. This decision came after breaking her wrist, which left her unable to run or lift weights while wearing a cast.
“I discovered that I could read and do other things while planking and I fell in love with it,” she said as she looked back on her training.
“Growing up, whenever we woke up, our mom had already run 4 miles. And that just progressed,” Ray Wilde, DonnaJean’s son, proudly shared.
“If I’m going to watch a movie and she wants to watch a movie with me, she’ll watch it in the plank position,” said Randy Wilde, her husband.
“She did her entire master’s degree planking,” her daughter, Laura Stevenson, also added.
About 20 years ago, the mother of 5 who had 12 grandchildren decided to pursue her master’s degree at university. However, during her studies, she contracted a condition called transverse myelitis. This condition causes pain and numbness, primarily in the arms, hands, and shoulders.
Her husband, Randy, mentions that dealing with this chronic pain every day has paradoxically prepared her for enduring the discomfort of maintaining an abdominal plank position for extended periods. It’s a surprising insight into how facing one form of pain can build resilience against another.
For her, being able to pursue her education despite the challenges of transverse myelitis feels like a dream come true. It’s an inspiring reminder of the strength of the human spirit in overcoming obstacles.
DonnaJean’s advice for those who want to follow in her footsteps and surpass her achievements: “Keep trying and keep practicing. When you have to read or work on your computer, just get on the floor and do it on the floor.”
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