At a very young age Amanda became passionate about sports. She grew up playing soccer and many other sports. Once she entered high school she focused on soccer and track. It was in her college years that she discovered a love for distance running. Running became a stress reliever for her and started to become part of her daily life.
At the age of 22, Amanda married her high school sweetheart over spring break of his senior year at Purdue University. She and her new husband remained very active but neither participated in sports in a competitive capacity.
In 2004, at the age of 23, Amanda ran her first 5k road race. It was then that she discovered her new passion. Running in races made her feel like a kid again. The adrenaline she felt before the gun went off brought back memories of competing as a kid. Since then she hasn’t looked back. In a matter of six years she has completed 17 road races (running four of those races pregnant). She has completed one marathon, seven half marathons and even participated in a two day, 200 mile relay race with her husband. During that time, she spent two years as the Assistant Cross Country Coach at Bosse High School before having her second child.
Today, at the age of 30, Amanda is a homeschooling mother of four children. Her oldest son, Avin, is five years old and in kindergarten. Parker is three and in preschool. The only girl in the bunch is two year old Cooper, and completing the quartet is eight month old Reed.
Building on her foundation of faith, Amanda has played an active role in her church volunteering in the children’s area. Together, Amanda and her husband, Jeff, who serves as a worship leader in the church, lead a Bible study for young married couples. It is their faith that drives their family values and gives them clarity in every aspect of their life.
In October of 2010, Amanda bested her previous personal half marathon record at the annual Evansville Half Marathon. In the midst of nursing a four month old baby and managing three other young, homeschooled children, Amanda made the time to intensify her training. Having been able to run and exercise during her previous pregnancy (even running five miles just one week before delivery), Amanda was able to begin her training for the 2010 Evansville Half Marathon just weeks after delivering her fourth child. She finished the half marathon at a 8:09 pace with a time of 1:46:36. This mother of four was in the best shape of her life and it was soon after that race that she set her biggest goal. The goal was to complete 12 half marathons in 12 months. With her husband supporting her 110%, they started searching for races in the surrounding states to see if it would even be possible with their schedules. After much research they decided it can, and will be done.
Amanda spends most of her training time on the treadmill. She has a treadmill in her home for those days when she just can’t make it to the gym. Although she loves running on the road, the treadmill provides a way for her to get her runs in while staying close to her children. She tries to run five days a week with two long runs, logging 35-50 miles a week. During the week she runs while the two youngest children take naps and the two oldest have craft or free time. On Saturdays she wakes up early and tries to get most of her long 10-13 mile run done before the family wakes up. Her favorite running gear consists of Asics shoes (particularly the Gel Nimbus model), Asics tops and socks, and Bibbity Running skirts.
This January, Amanda had the opportunity to run a race in her favorite place with two of her favorite people. Along with her mother and younger sister (and 28,000 others), Amanda participated in the Disney World Half Marathon. Although she didn’t beat her personal record she was very pleased with her time and was able to bring home many wonderful memories. This was number two in her 12 in 12 goal with the next race taking place in February.
Amanda would be honored to run for the Veterans Courts Nationwide Racing Team. Veterans Court saved her father's life and helped him overcome his combat PTSD. This program gave him a new purpose in life and he was the first graduate of the Texas Veterans Court Program. He is a peer mentor to other veterans who are in the program, not just in Texas, but nationwide. Because of the Veterans Courts Program, she now has a relationship with her father that she has longed for for many years. It would truly be an honor to run for the program that made that relationship possible.
Attached is a list of the races Amanda has coming up in 2011, along with races she has completed.
Races Completed
Marathon
5/30/04 Lakeshore Marathon, Chicago IL Age 24
4:16:36 (pace 9:48)
Half Marathon
1/9/11 Walt Disney World, Orlando Fl Age 30
1:49:28 (pace 8.21)
10/10/10 Evansville Half, Evansville In Age 29 (4 months postpartum)
1:46:36 (pace 8:09)
10/11/09 Evansville Half, Evansville In Age 28 (8 weeks pregnant)
1:54:10 (pace 8:43)
10/7/07 Evansville Half, Evansville In Age 26 (3 months postpartum)
1:59:15 (pace 9:07)
10/8/06 Evansville Half, Evansville In Age 25 (5 weeks Pregnant)
1:55:55 (pace 8:50)
4/24/04 Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon, Louisville Ky Age 23
1:58:33 (pace 9:02)
10/10/04 Evansville Half, Evansville In Age 23
1:47:18 (pace 8:12)
10 miler
4/10/04 Papa John’s 10miler, Louisville Ky Age 23
1:28:46 (pace 8:53)
10K
9/11/10 YMCA Warm Up 10k, Evansville In Age 29
49:31 (8:00 pace)
9/9/2006 YMCA Evansville 10k, Evansville In Age 25
51:10 (pace 8:14)
3/26/05 Rodes City Run, Louisville Ky Age 24 (6 months pregnant)
57:49 (pace 9:20)
3/27/04 Rodes City Run, Louisville Ky Age 23
58:49 (9:29 pace)
5k
8/5/2006 YMCA 5k, Evansville In Age 25
23:28 (pace 7:33)
3/12/05 Anthem 5k, Louisville Ky Age 24 (6 months pregnant)
26:44 (pace 8:37)
3/13/04 Anthem 5k, Louisville Ky Age 23
25:35 (pace 8:15)
200 mile relay, Hoosier 200 Relay July 2006 Age 25
Half Marathon Races 12 in 12
Oct 10, 2010 Evansville
Jan 8, 2011 Disney
Feburary 12 Saturday
Half Flying With The Eagles Half Marathon
Marion IL
run.olm.net
March 12 Saturday
Tom King Classic Half Marathon
Nashville Tn
www.tomkingclassic.com
March 26 Saturday
Lexington Half Marathon
Lexington Ky
lexingtonhm.com
April 10 Sunday
Southern Indiana Classic Marathon & Half Marathon
Evansville In
www.sicmarathon.com
April 30 Saturday
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon & Half Marathon
Louisville Ky
www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com
May 1 Sunday
Flying Pig Marathon, Half Marathon
Cincinnati, Oh
www.flyingpigmarathon.com
May 21 Saturday
Geist Half Marathon
Indianapolis IN
www.geisthalf.com
June 11 Saturday
Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend
Carmel Indiana
http://www.carmelmarathon.com
July 30 Saturday
Rock & Roll Chicago Half Marathon
Chicago, IL
chicago.competitor.com
Sept 11 Sunday
Chicago Half Marathon
Chicago, IL
www.chicagohalfmarathon.com
Sept 24 Saturday
Women’s Running Magazine Women’s Half Marathon Nashville
Nashville, Tn
www.womenshalfmarathon.com/nashville
October 9 Sunday
Evansville Half Marathon
Evansville In
www.evansvillehalfmarathon.org
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