Fort Rucker runner surpasses 1,000 miles

By Emily Brainard, Army Flier StaffSeptember 16, 2010

Fort Rucker runner surpasses 1,000 miles
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- One avid Fort Rucker runner logged her 1,000th mile last month, paying testament to her progress and commitment to fitness since joining the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility Run/Walk Mileage Club in June.

Penny Proctor, a post dining facility contractor, has been running for about five years, but only started keeping track of her mileage this summer.

"It keeps me focused," she said.

Proctor's record stood at 1,330.5 miles as of Sept. 14, according to Jamie Crivello, PFF recreation assistant. The athlete said she has no plans to stop any time soon after achieving this milestone.

Proctor runs about 10 miles a day, six days a week, at a 6-minute-mile pace.

After a busy day of serving food to Soldiers, there's nothing she enjoys better than changing into gym clothes, stretching out and starting the treadmill. She said running is her "alone time" and reenergizes her.

"I love it because (I am) just free from everything. When I run, I get tunnel vision and I just go," Proctor said.

Proctor said she enjoys racing, and uses competitions to help motivate her. She completed her last one, the Fort Rucker Army 10-Miler, hosted here in May, in about an hour and five minutes. Her next goals are to train for a half-marathon, and eventually a full marathon, which is about 26 miles long.

"I'm game for it. When I want to do something, I focus and set goals to achieve it," she said. "I'm determined to do it and stay on track."

Proctor encourages other people to begin or improve their current running routines as the sport provides a variety of benefits. Start slow, she said, and continually build and progress.

"It's good for (your) health for the long run," she said. "It adds more years to your life, and gives you more energy to make it through the day. It makes you feel good about yourself."

Proper nutrition is part of Proctor's success, she said. She eats plenty of fiber, whole wheat products, lean meat and fruit. She cut out sweets and fried food entirely since she began running.

"It's very hard (to not eat sweets) working at the DFAC," she said. "I'm always around cake. (I tell myself), 'You work out so hard. Why would you want to ruin it in five seconds with a piece of cake''"

Proctor said she's seen her body "transform" and become more muscular since beginning a committed running regimen and improving her diet.

Fortenberry-Colton PFF staff said they've noticed a difference in Proctor since she stepped on the gym's treadmills for the first time.

"Penny comes here and works out every day. She's a dedicated runner. She gets on the treadmill and runs and runs," said Eddie Coleman, PFF facilities technician. "She's inspiring to other people."

Others hope fellow runners will look up to Proctor as an athletic role model.

"To have that kind of drive (is) awesome. Most people wouldn't have that drive to (run) six days a week. It's something people could try to strive for," said Kristi Fink, fitness programs coordinator.

Signing up for the Run/Walk Mileage Club is easy, she said. Patrons fill out registration cards at either post PFF to keep track of their miles. Gym staff posts group results monthly at each facility, and awards participants patches for achieving certain milestones.

The club is in its second year and currently has more than 25 members, Fink said.

For more information on the Run/Walk Mileage Club, call 255-3794 or 255-2296.