Featured Runner “Andrea Knight” November 2017

November 8th, 2017 Tags: amazing, badassery, Being Epic, Featured Runners, motivation, perseverance, ultrarunning, unstoppable, why
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.