Andrea profile

Runner's Profile: Andrea Stouffer
By Joe Howell

Whether you know her or not, Andrea Stouffer is one of those runners who inspires you. Maybe it is the smile on her face as she comes out of the water at Nite Moves with the first group of women then attacks the hill up to Shoreline Park. Maybe it is her great attitude as she decided to add biking to her swimming and running and in no time, hangs in there with the "fast group".
Lisa Lewis certainly knows about Andrea and inspiration. As noted below, Andrea decided to do a crash 8 week training course for the LA Marathon so she could support her friend Lisa. Looks they inspired one another as both qualified for Boston in 2006.
Give Andrea a wave and an "Aloha" next time your see her running, swimming or biking by.

(Andrea is taller than Liz.)

Name: Andrea K. Stouffer
Age: 36
Nicknames: Andy; various and sundry pronunciations of "a-n-d-r-e-a"; and the hashers (Dave Groom, Liz) could give you an easy handful of others that they dream up, just waiting for me to complete my 6th . . . (it's been 9 years for 4)
Hometown: All over the world. But I call em Santa Barbara 1a, and Kaua'i nei 1b
Favorite Food: Tomatoes
Favorite Movie: "Bird Cage"
Employment: Physical Therapist
Family: most immediate: Sunshine of my life, Irwin, and kitty Carmelita. Second most immediate: mom Nancy (avid cyclist) lives in SB; Dad and Ginni in Honolulu; artist sister Lindsey in St. Louis; and Army wife Megan and her family in Fort Bragg, NC. My brother in law, Damon, and nephew, Justin, are serving our country in Iraq.
Other sports, hobbies, interests, etc.: Triathlons; yoga; hiking; travel; languages; down time on the lounge chair in the sunny driveway; anatomy (If you haven't seen Body Worlds, it is the chance of a lifetime)

My friends describe me as: always striving for something; too much energy; If we've got a place to meet, I'll be there, on the time we said
My trademark expression is: holy cacamole coocow (?)
If money were not a consideration, I would love to: Work 20 hours a week; travel every three months; go away for a few months here and there and work/study under some (manual therapy PT) mentors (Australia, Colorado, Northern Ca); have a home in Kaua'i nei; support Irwin in an early retirement; give more to any of several great organizations, like Red Cross, the Dream Foundation . . .
In the next 5 years, I hope to: Pay off my student loans; invest in some sort of real estate; complete a 1/2 Ironman triathlon; complete orthopedic and manual therapy certifications in physical therapy; teach anatomy
In the next 10 years, I hope to: be working out and loving life strong as ever;
Accomplishments: I hung up on marathons 8 years ago. Always some injury by mile 17 training. Lisa Lewis inspired me to join her for LA this year. I trained in 8 weeks, had a blast; felt GREAT; left absolutely no seconds out there; and qualified for Boston, so we can all have a great group vacation together next year

Favorite Distance and PR (post collegiate): 10 mile
Best Race and Why: St. George Marathon, 1996. It was the experience of a lifetime (thanks to Dan Cornet and a good handful of our faithful running group); AND a PR (3:28). There is definitely something about the downhills that makes them fast. But the scenery and the town take the cake.
Worst Race and Why: My first marathon, LA, 3/7/93. I only trained for 5 weeks; it was a heat wave year (90s-100); the first 6 miles were however great . . . It was the worst race of my life to date, and a MIRACLE.
Average Weekly Mileage (last 12 months): In 24 years of running, I happened to have added up my weekly mileage over the past 2 months, after the fact. It ranged from 13 to 34 or 35 miles.
Favorite Local Race: That's a hard one, they are all so great for overlapping and different reasons. For some crazy reason, I am sentimental about the Semana Nautica 15K on July 4. I may have missed it once in 14 years. It is so beautifully TRADITIONAL in a way that no other is; and then you're done, and you've got the holiday ahead of you.
Most Memorable Running Experience: Running with my MOST beautiful running group for the past 9 years (Sunday at 8am and Wed at 6pm, Leadbetter beach bathroom). What an amazing group of friends, who have inspired me to not simply athletic, but life experiences, that otherwise would not have been. To say the least. (This latest triathlon thing is purely social).
Favorite Place to Run: The "rave runs" I generate while traveling. Locally, Montecito, Mountain Drive, Hope Ranch, the beach at low tide, and More Mesa are all big hits.
Glory Days PR: 1:37 1/2 Marathon in SB (1999? or so).

Realistic Running Goals for this Year: Run healthy and strong and joyfully through the season.
Wildly Optimistic Running Goals for this year: Run all of the 1/2 marathon course at Wildflower . . .
Lifetime Running Goals: see the goals for this year
Local Running Heroes & Why: So many. John Brennand takes the cake. He is such an inspiration, not only physically but also personally. Thank you, John, for giving us all so much.
Personal Training Tips: Listen to your body. Take a yoga class weekly (and learn something about yourself as often).
Why I Run: Personal sanity and health; lots of social benes; great way to travel and check out scenery; oh so simple, all you need really are the shoes.

I love runners who: support other athletes of all caliber
I don't care for runners who: ?
Suggestions for local races: I wish Jose would bring his duathlon back.
Suggestions for SBAA: How can I support you in recreating a track work out? I really appreciated Jim and Tues nite workouts and all of our runners.

My views on: SB is one FINE place to get to run and live in.
Add Anything: Are you kidding?
Favorite Quote: Why did I have that second margarita before race day?
SBAA Member since: 1999