Featured Runner “Andrea Knight” November 2017
Posted in Announcements, Featured Runners, Funny, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Philosophies, Preferences & Opinions, Tips, Training
Andrea Knight (in her own words): I am a 37 year old wife and mother. I work in our family business, Triacle. I am also a dance instructor at Grayce DeWitt Dance Studio and my daughter Zurri is a member of the company there, Dance est Joie. Zurri is 9 years old, with one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know and I learn from her every day. My amazing husband, Kenny, is a 19-year Veteran of the United States Air Force, currently serving with the 138th Fighter Wing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He also proudly serves and protects Oklahoma as a State Trooper. I LOVE my family…life is good!
As a child, I was sexually abused. Seven years ago I began to run. At first it was just a mile. Gradually, I became stronger and began increasing the distance until I found my way to my true passion – ultrarunning! The challenge of running long distances gives me the strength and security to face my past and heal. While running, I am able to process and absorb the memories and meet them head on. Running completely changed me into the person I was meant to be – a better wife, mother, and person. Running is not just physical for me…it is much, much deeper. Running is spiritual – my time to fight and defeat those inner demons. Running has truly given me wings. I want to instill in my daughter that nothing or no one can defeat her, and not just to dream, but dream BIG! Life is short – enjoy it!
THE BASICS
Date of Birth: August 8th, 1980.
Place of Birth: Sallisaw, OK.
Currently Residing: Sallisaw, OK.
Marital Status: Married – awesome husband Kenny.
Job(s): Dance Instructor at Grayce DeWitt Dance Studio and also work at Triacle doing — Accounts Payable, Purchasing Agent, Cash Flow Predictor, Receipts Manager.
Children: One inspiring little 9 year old chick – Zurri.
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 123
Shoe Size: 8 Regular shoe, 9 run shoe.
Best Physical Feature: My smile.
Worst Physical Feature: My nose.
Religion: Believer/Christian.
Political Affiliation: Not a fan LOL – hard for me to even connect with how we are today in that area.
Personal Strength(s): Overcomer/Disciplined.
Personal Weakness(es): Dwelling/Worrier.
Make Of Car You Drive: Tahoe (Mama Beast).
Pets: 3 indoor cats, 2 small indoor dogs, and a German Shepherd (l love animals).
Andrea w/husband, Kenny, is “all smiles” after
her recent Arkansas Traveller 100 Mile finish.
FAVORITES
Favorite Author: Anyone providing me knowledge on running and nutrition.
Favorite Book: Anything pertaining to running.
Favorite Non-running Magazine: Hal
Favorite Movie: Christmas Vacation.
Favorite TV Show: So You Think You Can Dance.
Favorite Music: I am a dancer, so anything that moves me…l am all over the board on music.
Favorite Artist: My daughter, of course, and my little ballerinas in dance class – love their imagination.
Favorite Spectator Sport: Dance/Wrestling.
Favorite Game: Uno
Favorite Vacation Destination: Sand and sun.
Favorite Time Of Day: Downtime with my husband Kenny and Zurri (rare).
Favorite Item Of Clothing: Sweatpants
Favorite Non-Running Leisure Activity: Kayaking/dance.
Favorite Running Shoe: Hoka
Favorite Food/Drink Before An Ultra: Pasta/fish/Subway/wine.
Favorite Food/Drink During An Ultra: Salted potato/veggie straws w/guacamole/water/Tailwind.
Favorite Food/Drink After An Ultra: Takes a bit for my gut to adjust…
Favorite Crew/Pacer Person(s): My husband Kenny, Cheryl, Gus, Carlos, and Stacy. These people sacrifice their time for me and are incredible – means so much!
Favorite Place To Run: The forest.
Favorite Type Of Running Surface: Dirt/gravel/sand.
Favorite Famous Quote: The devil whispered in my ear, “you’re not strong enough to withstand the storm.” Today I whispered in the devils ear, “l AM THE STORM.”
ULTRA STUFF
Number of Years Running Ultras: 2
Number of Ultras Finished: 5
Best Ultra Performance(s): Finishing 100 miles (Arkansas Traveller – 2017).
Most Memorable Ultra: Where it all began — Prairie Spirit Trail 50K and then finishing 100 miles at the Arkansas Traveller.
Typical Training Week(s) Before A Major Race: Top out at 70 miles a week for 100 miler – love cross training, and also just time on feet walking.
Injuries: Fractured cuboid bone, fractured fibula, fractures in my heel…my heart gets ahead of my head a lot. But it challenges me even more for recovery.
Ultrarunning Idol: I can’t pick AMAZING PEEPS with amazing reasons who keep putting one foot in front of the other…
Why Do You Run Ultras: My time to reflect and feel strong/brave.
Advice For Other Ultrarunners: ENJOY IT!
ACHIEVEMENTS / GOALS / MEMORIES
Personal Hero: My daughter Zurri Alexandria.
Long-Term Goal: Be better at life…you can always be better in all you do. Never stop growing.
Most Prized Possession: Kenny and Zurri.
Most Proud Achievement: Zurri
Happiest Memory: My Zurri
Secret Ambition/Fantasy: Get paid to run, ha!
DISLIKES / FEARS
Least Liked Subject: Science
Least Liked Household Chore: Putting up laundry.
Pet Peeve(s): Smacking, jealousy, and whining.
Greatest Fear: Failing as a mom – want to be all I can to my daughter.
SPARE TIME
Book Currently Reading: What is spare time? LOL!
Hobbies: Being a mom – being outdoors.
Collections: Rocks from my runs.
What’s Next: Lots of more awesome running!
Andrea w/her husband, Kenny, and daughter, Zurri.
One Response to “Featured Runner “Andrea Knight” November 2017”
Great job, Andrea, on Travellers! I love rocks as run souvenirs too.
Leave a Reply