Allison Miller – A Million Little Things Actress Love to Run – runnersworld.com

She’s endured breast cancer, heartbreak, and suicide as Maggie on the ABC drama A Million Little Things. In real life, actress Allison Miller, who is also known for her roles in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and NBC’s Kings, leads a far less turbulent existence than her onscreen alter ego.

One thing she does share with Maggie, though, is an undeniable zeal for running.

Here’s how hitting her stride helps the 34-year-old get into character, her favorite running spots on location, and what’s on her playlist now.

Runner’s World: When was the first time you went out for a “real” run?

Allison Miller: I must have been 11 or 12. I started playing on a field hockey team and all of my friends on the team would do three-mile runs to try to get into better shape. I thought I should try it, so I started running with my friend Michelle. I hated it so much. I ended up signing up for a 5K with her and did not finish it. I still remember lying in bed the rest of the day thinking, “I’m never doing that again!”

When did things eventually shift for you?

In high school, I discovered some trails near the school. I discovered the meditative aspects of running and, when I was in the woods, it actually became something other than exercise for me. Getting away from everything and getting that oxygen pumping—it was like a reset button for me.

Do you remember the first time you felt the runner’s high?

Oh, yeah. It was on a trail run in Tallahassee. I hit a stride where all of a sudden everything felt effortless, like I was flying. It was enough to keep me coming back over and over again, trying to recreate that feeling.

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Maggie is constantly running on A Million Little Things. Was that your idea or the idea of producers?

It was actually entirely the writers’ idea. One of our writers is a runner, but she had no idea that I ran, too. Maggie runs for the same reason I do. She’s trying to clear her head and make decisions. There are times when it seems like she’s running from things and times where it seems like she’s running toward things in the story.

What’s it like to run in character on the show?

Those are the best days. It’s so freeing because most of the time we are in a studio on a stage. We’re just indoors all day. The running scenes are a nice break where I get to be outside in nature.

Where are your favorite spots to run while you’re shooting?

I live in L.A., but I’ve been in Vancouver for almost nine months. I love running the seawall in Stanley Park. I also really like a three-mile trail that starts at Jericho Park and goes to Spanish Bank Park.

Have you attempted any races since that 5K?

I’ve done more 5Ks that I actually did finish. I did one in Tallahassee. And I did a 10K. I think I placed seventh in that one, which was was really shocking because I really am not a quick runner. I also ran the Pasadena Half Marathon in 2010. It’s been a while since I’ve done a race. I would love to do another half marathon, but it’s difficult to train for one with our filming schedule.

What’s on your running playlist right now?

I usually listen to podcasts. But, when I need to go faster or I want to have a really powerful run, I do music. I have a running playlist for Maggie and another running playlist for myself. There’s some crossover though—I have Muse, Tori Amos, Sleater-Kinney, and Arcade Fire on my playlist and Maggie’s playlist.

How does Maggie’s playlist help you get into character?

Well, there was a new song that started my playlist for Maggie called “Time Is Running Out.” It was exactly what she was feeling for the whole first season.

How has running helped you stay sane since A Million Little Things took off last year?

When I go for a run in the morning, it makes the rest of the day feel easier. When I go to work, I’m much more patient and nicer to everybody. It’s so therapeutic for me. I don’t think I would be able to work the long hours I do if I didn’t run. It also helps me learn my lines.

How does running help with your lines?

It’s so funny. When I’m running with headphones, I’m usually talking to myself at the same time. People just assume you’re having a conversation with somebody on the phone, but I’m actually listening to the other person’s lines in the scene in a voice memo. Sometimes it seems like I’m talking on the phone really angrily. But, hopefully, people just assume I’m having a conversation and not completely out of my mind!

You travel a lot for work. Where was your most memorable run?

I travel so much for work that the first thing I like to do is go for a run in a new city. One of my favorites was a run through these rice paddies in China. A woman came over and was like, “Can I run with you?” because she wanted to practice her English. We just spent a while trying to have a conversation and running with her doing all the work because I know no Chinese no Mandarin, whatsoever. I’ll never forget that.

What running gear can’t you live without?

Definitely headphones. I also like leggings with a small pocket and I love hats. My favorite is an old beat up one that says, “Sea Island” on it. It’s a place on the coast of Georgia where my family would go to the beach every summer.

What does a “perfect” run feel like to you?

If I just want to lie on the floor for a minute after and relish the feeling. It’s almost like Savasana at the end of a really good yoga class. I just want to lie down and soak it in for a while. Lying down on the floor just feels like heaven.