OTTUMWA — Opening a book can do a lot more for a person than just give her brain a mental workout.

It can turn physical.

The task of leafing through hundreds of pages of processed paper got it started. What came next sent Kriss Uehling’s legs into motion.

The result was an accomplishment on a high scale, and one of the most grueling endeavors undertaken — marathon running.

Uehling, who hails from Ottumwa and owns the hair salon The Firm in town, cracked open one of those books. It inspired her to take on new challenges — mainly in the long-distancing running department.

Uehling did what most people cannot. She ran 26.2 miles, the distance of a marathon. She ran it not once, but twice — and in two consecutive days.

Uehling ran almost 53 miles in 48 hours just this past October.

The journey began in Sioux City. That’s where she laced up her running shoes and participated in the Siouxland Marathon on Oct. 19. There she clocked out a Boston Marathon qualifying time and improved her personal best by over four minutes. Uehling placed third in the Masters over-40 age division, received a plaque and $50 for her feat.

“It was a great day,” said Uehling. “It was a total shock and nice surprise.”

She went back to work with her tired legs over to Polk County and competed in the Des Moines Marathon the next day.

This type of physical excursion is not advised.

“Doctors definitely don’t recommend you do that,” said Uehling.

Running to that extreme does not happen overnight, as Uehling mentioned there was a fourth-month training period and a progression where she started out with half marathons (10K).

By that time, Uehling was ready.

“You’re pretty prepared,” said Uehling, who also sells pottery she makes and has run in five marathons now.