I WONDER IF ANY OF YOU WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THIS HIGH HEEL AND PEGGED IT AS THE SHOE OF A RUNNER?
FOR ONE RETIRED BALLROOM DANCER THAT’S WHAT SHE SEES WHEN SHE LOOKS AT HEELS. ALLISON LEVINE HAS THAT STORY.
ALLISON: YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW IT FROM THE SMILE BEAMING THROUGH THIS INSTAGRAM VIDEO --
BUT FOR IRENE SEWELL AND OTHER RUNNERS LIKE HER, FINISHING A MARATHON IS NO EASY TASK.
IRENE: THAT'S MY GOAL, IS JUST TO FINISH THE 26.2 MILES TOMORROW.
ALLISON: AS IF THAT WEREN'T HARD ENOUGH --
IRENE: I WILL BE RUNNING THE MARATHON IN HIGH HEELS, WHICH IS SUPER EXCITING.
ALLISON: IRENE'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY USE A DIFFERENT WORD.
IRENE: THEY THINK I'M CRAZY.
ALLISON: IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHY SHE'S DOING THIS, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.
IRENE GETS THAT A LOT.
IT ALL STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN SHE READ ABOUT A LONDON WOMAN'S QUEST TO BE THE WORLD'S FASTEST MARATHON RUNNER IN HEELS.
IRENE: SHE ULTIMATELY DIDN'T GET THE RECORD. SO, I WAS JUST READING ABOUT HER AND I THOUGHT MAN, WITH MY DANCING BACKGROUND AND NOW RUNNING BACKGROUND....
ALLISON: IRENE USED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL BALLROOM DANCER, SO SHE'S PRETTY USED TO MOVING IN HEELS.
BUT RUNNING A MARATHON IN THEM?
IRENE: NOT IN HEELS, NO.
ALLISON: THAT'S NEW.
IRENE: IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING, HOPEFULLY.
ALLISON: SHE TRAINS ALL OVER CHATTANOOGA.
BUT RARELY IN STILETTOS.
HER PODIATRIST RECOMMENDED AGAINST THAT, SO INSTEAD....
IRENE: A NORMAL TRAINING FOR A MARATHON AND THEN THROW IN THE HEELS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
ALLISON: TO BREAK THE GUINESS WORLD RECORD, IRENE HAS TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE IN UNDER SEVEN AND A HALF HOURS.
IRENE: THAT EQUALS OUT TO ABOUT A SEVENTEEN MINUTE MILE PACE.
ALLISON: IF YOU ASK IRENE, THESE NEARLY THREE INCH STILETTOS WERE MADE FOR WALKING -- ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
IRENE: THAT'S KIND OF THE MOMENT THAT I RUN FOR.
ALLISON LEVINE, REPORTING.
RICK: THANKS ALLISON. IT APPEARS ALL THAT TRAINING PAID OFF BECAUSE IRENE SEWELL MANAGED TO BEAT THE 7-AND-A-HALF-HOUR RECORD WITH TWO MINUTES TO SPARE! WOW AND OUCH!
NOT SHOES I WOULD WANT TO SLIP INTO.
Find Out More
Website: Guinness World Records | Read some fun stories here, but check your school or public library to find the book.
Website: Running in the USA | Interactive site helps you search for running events.
Website Article: Inova Children’s Hospital, KidsHealth, Safety Tips for Running | What’s the best way to get that exercise.