What a wonderful opportunity to speak to Andrea White, an up and coming fierce Ultra Marathon Runner we are sure to see on the front covers of Sports magazines. Checkout her full story below.
Andrea you describe yourself as an Ultra Trail Lover, and we know recently you killed it at the Bryce Canyon Ultra Marathon. Tell us what does it take between mental toughness and physical fitness to even be ready to attempt such a feat?
AW: Uiw to this sport (a fun hobby is what I like to call it). Running in general you equally need both but once you get into ultra-miles, from my own personal experience I think mental toughness plays a bigger role. At the end of the day your body won’t go where your mind doesn’t push it. Of course, a great deal of consistent training, dedication and patience is needed to build your mileage and endurance to achieve such a goal and make the race as “enjoyable” as possible.
Have you always been into fitness and pushing your own body’s physical and mental boundaries, or was there a moment in your life that caused you to go down this path? If so, what was that moment?
AW: I’ve always been into health and fitness but NEVER A RUNNER! I always did cardio; I was a stair master freak. I was forced into running over covid when all gyms were closed. I’m not the kind of person that can sit inside all day and couldn’t go without working out. It just wasn’t an option. So, I started off by just running around my house and I thought it was so crazy to be able to run a few miles lol than I started to run to parks. It was like a game to me, each time I would just challenge myself to run further and further, and it just felt so damn good both physically and mentally to see myself being able to accomplish something that sounded so impossible. I was hungry for more and was instantly hooked. It’s something I couldn’t imagine my life without now.
As far as the mental, I’ve always found the mind so intriguing. It can control you or you can control it. I’ve always been someone who thrives well on my own. I like solving my own problems. Pushing my own limits. Which is why I think I fell in love with ultra-running. I love running alone. There’s no one behind me when I’m out there. It’s just me, I did this. The mental toughness just builds and builds, and you carry that mindset into your everyday life. It’s amazing what you can train your body and mind to do.
Andrea, what running experience have you learned the most from, and why?
AW: Training for this ultra I have a whole new level of respect for ultra-trail runners. It’s something you hear about but once you experience it and go through it yourself, WOW. The dedication, sacrifice, commitment it takes. It was a wild ride and I had so much fun training for it. It wasn’t always fun and easy. I had good runs, bad runs, and everything in between. I learned a lot from “bad runs”. I would go back and go through how I felt and learned from it and came up with a solution to avoid that same problem. It was all a wonderful learning experience. I look forward to getting stronger mentally and physically and train for the next challenge.
I am sure you’ve done plenty of races in your lifetime. Which race was the most enjoyable or is the one that you remember the most?
AW: Well, now that we know I’m still a rookie, this ultra was only my 6th race. So, I have little to compare. I did a half marathon trifecta, I wanted more. I did a 3/4 marathon, I wanted more. I did a marathon, I wanted more. I did a 34 mile ultra, yes i can’t wait to do another ultra.
Without a doubt this ultra was the most enjoyable and one I’ll never forget. I loved how challenging it was and knowing without a doubt I would give it my all to complete it. That moment you realize all that hard work and dedication paid off, there’s just nothing like it. I also discovered some strengths and weaknesses which will give me something to prepare for and work on for the next race.
You have a beautiful piece on your back. Can you tell us about the tattoo and if it has any special meaning to you?
AW: Thank you! It’s still in the works. I have a sailboat going down my spine with a compass and helm. My dad loves sailing, and I’ve grown to love it as well. To me the sea is so mysterious, wild, and free, and really you are the captain of your life.
I have the sun with the flower of life, representing the blueprint of creation, unity and that we are all connected. I have a lotus flower that represents growth. A mandala, a geometric pattern that represents the universe and “OM” symbol, the vibrational sound of the universe.
When it comes to training, what’s your approach and what do you put most of your focus into?
AW: To take it seriously but not too seriously. Always do your best, push your limits, and know that it’s ok if a run doesn’t go as planned, sometimes I don’t give myself enough credit for the dedication and hard work I put in, I can be hard on myself if I have a “bad run”. I run for fun, and I never want to lose focus of that.
Andrea, who or what inspires you?
AW: Nature. Nature inspires me so much. How beautiful and effortless it is. So perfect yet so imperfect at the same time. That’s exactly how I feel when I’m trail running. Effortless, wild, and free, like I’m one with nature. As crazy as I sound. I just laughed at myself hahah. I also get creative, l text myself a lot, any thoughts, ideas, goals, solutions that come to mind I write it down.
If you were a food, what would you be?
AW: Peanut butter. It was literally the first food that came to mind. Everyone loves peanut butter.
What projects, challenges, races do you have your eye on for the rest of this year?
AW: Continue to make my version of impossible, possible. I’m doing my first stage run Labor Day weekend in the Cascades, WA. You set up a base camp, it’s 78 miles in three days, each day you summit a different mountain. I love doing back-to-back long runs and even better when the mountains are involved so I have a feeling stage race are going to be my thing. I’m thinking a 50miler also, I really want to know what that feels like. I have one I’m eyeballing in the Valley of Fire that looks breathtaking, it’s in November so I may do that for my birthday and end the year with that!
Is there anything you like to do when you’re not running the races?
AW: I don’t have internet, so I have a lot of hobbies. Hiking, traveling, working, strength training, reading, meditating, music, concerts, making jewelry. I’m getting things together to do farmers market and local festivals. I enjoy being creative and making things that bring a smile to people’s faces.
Who and what is most important in life to you?
AW: My family, growing, my happiness, freedom, knowledge, all super important to me. So much to do and see in this world and it’s a priority for me to experience as much as possible in this lifetime.
Anything else you’d like to share?
AW: Make time every day for the things that make you happy. What’s meaningful to you might be meaningless to someone else and that’s ok. Make challenging goals, achieve them, learn and grow from it. Evolve or repeat, give your life purpose. Only you know how hard you worked for something. Everyone goes through different challenges along the way mentally, physically, financially…whatever. Doing what you love is the best form of self-love.
