Photo courtesy of Peter Maksimow

Not one to sit still for any length of time, mountain runner Peter Maksimow created "Peter's Phantastic Plank Project" earlier this year.

It has proved to be the "Pikes Peak Perfect Proposition" for the area's running community, which is always up for a challenge. Maksimow formed the idea after a plank competition started by friend and area runner Amy McDonagh. He was surprised to see the group grow to include plankers from around the world.

"It exploded," he said. "I had no idea almost 300 people would get involved from all corners of the planet UK, New Zealand, Germany, France,  and even a lot of the locals from right here."

The exercise itself is not exciting. And it's difficult, targeting muscle groups that are often neglected. In short, planking is painful, and it helps to suffer with friends. Maksimow's group is game for pain.

"It is a support group of sorts for those willing to physically and mentally challenge themselves and push limits that some think impossible at first," he said. "That, and the physical rewards are very significant, we are discovering. Planking is a good analogy for life. Plus, planking on your own is like dancing on your own ... not very fun."

The rules are easy. Runners are challenged to plank every day with the goal of increasing their total time holding a plank position. 

We asked participants to share their results with us. It seems the planks have helped in many ways.

Travis Tabares: I noticed a big difference when running Winter Series 4. At the point where I usually start struggling and my form falls apart I was feeling super strong and stable.

Michael Everson: I am not necessarily faster, but I am seeing some improvement on the Incline. I've dropped about two minutes off my time from beginning of the year, and I'm within a minute of my personal-best time from 2013. Also I'm able to run in places where I usually walk. Last Sunday I was able to run about half way up Longs Ranch Road (not really running, but definitely not walking). My conclusion: Stamina is better with the planks.

Sheva Willoughby: I have better form not only in running but in all my weightlifting! I can actually engage and feel myself using my core now! It use to be that nothing really happened/changed or "engaged" when my coaches (lifting) or yoga instructor would say "use your core/engage your core." But now I feel it! Hooray! I haven't been nearly as consistent or dedicated as most in here. But I'm sold and ready to step up my plank game!

Tracey Thomsen Anderson carried a heavy pack through hip deep snow to the summit of Pikes Peak and back. "I not only lived to tell this tale, but I awoke this morning with only some bruising on my shoulders and hip bones from the pack. If it weren't for the back, arm/shoulder, hip flexor strength of planking, I would be too busy crying to write this this morning.

Lori Money Morlan: Kayaking ... went out with group and I was leading the whole way and wanted keep going when all rest had worn out.

Denise Flory: I haven't noticed an increase in speed at all, but my recovery is better and my breathing is deeper.

Richard Canedo: I haven't been running but it has made a noticeable difference in Mtn biking controlling the bike and stamina.

Ann Labosky: I haven't missed a day yet - have noticed definite improvements in all types of things, from carrying ladders (did some painting in the house) to shoveling heavy wet snow, to not getting the naggy low-back stiffness during a long run (used to have to stop and stretch it out), to finally getting rid of a deep-seated right hip pain that would set in after miles. In it for good now!

Marco Sturm hasn't missed a day of planking since the challenge started: "At first even three minutes was a struggle. Now, I'm at 16 minutes per day. I even did a new personal best of 18 minutes a few days ago. It's difficult to judge how it improved my running shape, but it definitely did. First of all, I'm sure it's the main reason I recovered from a long-term hamstring problem in my left leg. I just ran one of my fastest track sessions ever this week. My harmstring would not have allowed this during most of 2014 and 2015. The reverse plank is a great way to loosen the hamstring and strength it. I mean, this can be a subjective view that planking cured an injury, but I definitely believe it was kind of the best rehab! Otherwise, I'm curios about the first races into the season. I´m sure, especially when it comes to my first 2016 Ultra, a 100k Ultratrail, the planking will be a huge booster.I tend to have problems with my (weak) back in uphill. I believe planking will be a great way to change my disadvantage into an advantage. Ah, and by the way, it's the first time in my life I've kind of had a beach-body sixpack."

The running veterinarian John Sudduth is approaching 80 consecutive days of planks. He throws in some free weights, plus low-impact pedaling to help accentuate his run routine. "I'm after total fitness combined with nutrition to achieve days to my life and life to my days," he says. He recently placed first in his age group at a local 5K race, but is most happy about his improved upper-body strength and abdominal definition.

A youth spent playing football and wrestling, plus 30 years of bending over surgical table resulted in Sudduth needing four artificial cervical disks. In 2010 he was at "end stage for osteoarthritis of my cervical spine with pain and neurological function."The plank challenge plus running has improved his health. "Running and planking definitely strengthens my neck and shoulder muscles and improves my posture, as well as dealing with daily pain, and is part of my ongoing rehab."

And now a word from physical therapist Brandon Stapanowich, who was kind enough to offer a professional opinion on this very unscientific collection: As a participant in several planking competitions, I understand the appeal. On more than a handful of nights I’ve drifted off to sleep, only to wake up in a panic at 11:45 pm, jump out of bed, and hit the ground to get my plank on.

While there is conflicting research for the “best” exercise to improve functional core strength in runners, planking is a great option because it requires no equipment, no movement, and takes very little time before you feel the effects. When done correctly, a plank, with its many positional variations (front, back, side, extended elbows, flexed elbows) can activate deep spinal stabilizers like the transverse abdominis, scapular stabilizers like serratus anterior, and pelvic stabilizers like gluteus medius. Of course, getting them strong with an isometric exercise doesn’t always carryover to functional strength during running. But I believe that being mindful of your posture during two minutes of planking can certainly help with being mindful of your posture while you're running later. The friendly peer pressure to be consistent with your core work on a regular basis doesn’t hurt either.

Maksimow said everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of their planking prowess levels. "I wanted anyone and everyone to be involved, all ability levels, so I suggested people start at their particular ability level and not to get scared by my 20+ minutes of planking sessions. It is a competition against oneself. Some of those people who didn't think they could do 1 minute at the beginning, are not doing double digits!"