Saturday Spotlight- Amanda Hall

I’m fairly new to the running community. I’ve got just over a year under my belt, so I was surprised when Lou asked me if I would like to be warrior of the week (How could I say no!). So, here’s my story.
I’m from Texas. I have one older sister, and our dad raised us. I joined the Military in July 2001, and that is essentially how I ended up in NY.

I am kind of quiet until I get to know people, the better I know you the more I open up. My sister, on the other hand, is very outgoing, and always made friends easily. In high school my sister was in band, choir, and flag core. I don’t play an instrument. I tried choir, but I can’t sing for the life of me. In my head, however, I sound JUST LIKE Beyonce. I wanted to belong to something and make friends, so I tried out for Drill Team (dance), and loved it. I finally found something I enjoyed, but after my first semester my dad realized the cost of dance and my sister’s activities, and I had to drop. She is older and was in her clubs first. I was disappointed. I was disappointed, but wanted to do something. I figured running was cheap, so I joined the cross-country team. Seemed logical. The following year (sophomore) in high school I went right for cross-country, and continued to enjoy it. Half way through the year my dad told me we were moving to Florida. This would be the last time I would run until I joined the military in 2001. When I transferred schools it was too late in the year to join the cross-country team. I hated Florida. I didn’t know anyone and I couldn’t join any of the sports teams, because it was the middle of the year. We were there for a year and a half, and about the time I settled we moved back to Texas, but 6 hours away from anyone I knew. So, upon getting through my last year and a half of school I joined the Air Force.

After joining the military I started to run again, because I had to pass my fitness assessment. I figured I could get away with minimal effort and I did. Running just never crossed my mind. We did group PT, and that was enough for me. In 2005 I started running with some friends from work around the perimeter of the base. I would listen to their stories of the NYC marathon, and their trips into the city for all the qualifiers, and it seemed like so much fun. Unfortunately, at the same time that year I also found myself in a very hostile and unhealthy relationship. I wasn’t able to do as much as I wanted, and I wasn’t allowed to be myself. In 2008 that finally ended, but I was now focused on college, and my career, so running remained an occasional thing.

In 2013 a friend of mine asked me to run a race with her. The morning of the race she sent me a text and told me she wouldn’t be able to make it. I had never really run a race. The closest I had come was my annual fitness assessment. I was certain that I was going to be the last person across the finish. My friend left me to finish, alone. This happened several times, but when I sign up for something I am committed. At my third race Eric Carver told me how effortless running looked for me. He told me that I could be great if I just applied myself. That meant something. He’s a great runner. Last year I completed dozens of races ranging from a 5k, to a half marathon, a couple of sprint tri’s and a duathlon. I was addicted. Correction-I AM addicted. My first race was a 4 mile run. My time was 36:57. A 9:15 pace. I wasn’t last. I was proud. BTW-Running isn’t as cheap as I thought it was.

On April 2, 2014 I ran the hills for the first time. (Somehow I think everyone will remember his or her hills birthday.) What and experience! I even came back. I love running. I love the community, the knowledge of the Selden Hills Warriors, and the willingness to share it. I’ve learned a lot about myself running. I wish I had applied myself when I was younger. 2013 was a great first year, and I know 2014, 2015, 2016, etc… will only be better.