NYM Runner Battles The Elements To Run 422 Consecutive Days And Counting

NEW YORK MILLS, MN (KDLM) – What started as a 2021 New Year’s Challenge to run every single day for a year has turned to an even more impressive streak for Emily Warner of New York Mills. After completing her goal to go for a run every day in 2021, she continued running into 2022 and has now logged at least three miles a day for the last 422 consecutive days.

The first question Warner gets is: why?

“In the words of Forrest Gump,” says Warner. “I just felt like running,”

Like Gump, who ran to the end of the road…and then to the end of town…and then to the other side of the county…and then the other side of the state, Warner runs for the fun of it.

“I know I’m going to feel better afterward,” Warner said. “I look at the time, I look at the temperature, and I layer up. I would say my self-discipline is greater than my motivation. I know that day will be better if I get up and do it.”

Over the last couple of months, Warner has learned some tips to stay warm while running in frigid temperatures: get some warm socks, work up a little sweat with some active stretching before heading out, and get grips for your shoes.

“I’m using broken Yak Tracks right now,” says Warner. “Next year, I’m going to get some Ice Spikes. They’re a lot more durable. They screw right into your shoes to give you tracking on snowy and icy roads.”

For Warner, there isn’t a plan to end the streak. Since starting her streak on December 26, 2020, Warner has logged over 1200 miles…the distance from New York Mills to Montgomery, Alabama…the capitol of the fictional Forrest Gump’s home state. She’s not doing it to train for a race or an event (it’s been three years since her last half-marathon). She runs, simply, because she feels like running.

“I’m going to keep running until I just don’t feel like running anymore,” says Warner. “Until then, it’ll be me and my dog, Jenny, out there putting the miles on.”