Welling resident DonnaJean Wilde is the Guinness Book of World Records holder for the longest time in an abdominal plank position by a female. The 59-year-old grandmother’s final time was clocked in at four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds.
“My whole life has revolved around the little town of Magrath,” says the retired vice-principal and teacher, who still substitutes from time to time. “I’ve taught in Magrath for years and my kids all went to school in Magrath.”
In March, Wilde made the official record attempt in Magrath in the high school’s theatre, after applying to Guinness in January.
According to Guinness, the previous record was set by fellow Canadian Dana Glowacka in 2019. Wilde went just over 10 minutes longer than the previous record held.
Historically, Wilde notes she broke her wrist 10 years ago and couldn’t work out or run, but realized she could plank with a cast on. “I found I could read, do school work or prepare things for a few minutes and it just got longer.”
Wilde says family members kept encouraging her, as they knew she loved to plank and wanted to see how long she could go. “It was during the pandemic, so they said, ‘let’s have another little family planking competition.’ That was the first time I went for a couple of hours without any breaks.”
About a year ago, Wilde decided to try and break the record. “So, I intentionally increased my time and tried to get better.”
“From January to March, I tried to up my game,” adds Wilde.
Attempting the world record and breaking it has been a wonderful experience for Wilde. “Working with Guinness, arranging everything and being able to do it in the theatre at school. The students came into the theatre and we had carpets down and they planked with me.”
Because the southern Alberta athlete planked for so many years prior to attempting the world record, Wilde realized she could one day break a world record. “I didn’t ever feel like I wasn’t going to be able to do it. I felt the support of everybody. My family, my kids were all there and my grandkids. It was a great experience.”
Since breaking the world record, Wilde says she just continues to plank. “Just because I love it. It’s such a healthy thing. I would encourage everybody else to plank while they read or anything that makes you feel good.”
Wilde has also been a bit of a local celebrity, as well as provincially, nationally and internationally. “I’ve had quite a few interviews and it has been so much fun.”
Recently, while substitute teaching, students have even planked alongside Wilde, which she says has been rewarding. “They are trying to plank and improve their timing and improve their fitness. That’s been such a wonderful thing.”