LVRR: What college will you attend and what is your intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
Amanda: I will be attending Shippensburg University where I will be studying Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I will be part of the women’s cross country and track teams at Shippensburg.
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
AL: I started running when I was eleven years old when I was able to participate in my elementary school’s Girls on the Run program. I think I mostly did it to be with my friends, and a lot of my relatives run so I wanted to give it a shot too. It ended up being pretty fun and after I ran my first 5k, I started running with my dad and we just kept signing up for more and more 5ks. Fast forward seven years and here I am, still running!
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
AL: My greatest accomplishment in my running career so far would have to be qualifying for the PIAA State Cross Country Championship Meet with my team during my senior season. We only made it to states by one point, which means that if anyone of us ran any other way during districts, we probably would not have qualified. We put a lot of work into the season and it was so rewarding to see all of our training pay off when we make the trip to states.
LVRR: Describe an experience where you had to “sink or swim.” What did you learn from it?
AL: An experience that I can recall where I had to “sink or swim” would have to be when I had a really bad race at cross country districts in my junior year. I was definitely disappointed in myself and I had to make the decision to either beat myself up over it or move on from the race and try to do better in my senior year. I learned from this experience that it’s okay to have bad races or any performances in life, but you have to just use those bad experiences to motivate you to become better and stronger in the future.
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
AL: My parents would have to be my most influential role model because they have done so much for me in helping me succeed in all aspects of life, and they are my biggest supporters.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
AL: Something that most people would be surprised to learn about me would be that I hate when things are messy, so I clean a lot. I sweep and vacuum my house multiple times a week and organize often-it’s something that I have done I think since middle school.
LVRR: What is one word you would say to someone who has just started running– whether it be a youth in the LVRR Kids Series, or an older individual- about why running is worth it?
AL: Progress.
LVRR: Is anyone else in your family a runner?
AL: My dad is also a runner. He has been my training partner ever since I started running and we have run many 5ks, 10ks, and two half marathons together. Additionally, I have many relatives that are runners, including some that have been cross country and track coaches.
LVRR: What events did you run in high school?
AL: I ran the 1600m and 3200m during high school track and 5ks during cross country.
LVRR: What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t do yourself and why?
AL: My favorite event to watch would have to be pole vaulting because I am always fascinated about how people can propel themselves over a very high bar with only using their own strength and a pole!!
LVRR: What are the top three “little things” that you do to prevent injury?
AL: The top three “little things” that I do to prevent injury include stretching before and after a run, getting plenty of sleep and making sure to have a good diet.
LVRR: What injuries are you susceptible to?
AL: While I never really have had serious injuries in my running career thus far, I would have to say I am most susceptible to hip injuries. I really try to concentrate on thoroughly stretching out my hips before and after all my runs.
