TSR Runner of the Week-Amy Compston
By: Kayla Dodd
TSR would like to introduce you to this week’s Runner of the Week, Amy Compston. She not only has a love for running, but also has a passion for helping others. Her hard work and dedication has not gone unrecognized in her community, as several individuals look up to her for all that she has done. Amy has been running since the young age of 11, so that’s a total of 21 years so far, that she has been on her running journey. Her first race was at a track meet when she was 11 years old. Her first 5k was the Old Fashion Days 5k, when she was 12 years old and she absolutely LOVED it!! Her first Marathon was the Myrtle Beach Marathon in 2012.
Amy loves running a variety of race distances and holds several different PR’s: Mile PR - 6:00, 5k PR - 20:00, Marathon PR - 3:27:29 (Boston 2015) and 50 Mile PR - 7:36:09. When asked what her running goals are, Amy said, “I would like to complete all 6 world marathons in my life. Currently I have completed 3 of the 6. I would also like to complete a 100 mile race at least once. I was supposed to run the Cloudsplitter 100 this October but I got Malaria on my last trip to Uganda and that put a halt on my training this past summer. Maybe next year!!!”
Her motivation to run started because of the health benefits. “It’s always been a priority to me to remain fit and active. Running is my favorite form of exercise and it always came easy to me.” “In 2013, I discovered a new motivation to run and that’s to use it as a fundraising tool to help the children of impoverished Uganda, Africa. I started running for these children 3.5 years ago. God has truly blessed the effort and through our running ministry Amy for Africa, we have been able to help establish 6 Christian schools in Uganda and we are starting on our 7th now.”
The coolest thing that she has seen on a run is Rick and Dick Hoyt, the father/son running legends. The coolest places she has had the opportunity to run is Uganda-Africa, Miami, Dallas, San Diego, Boston, NY City, Chicago, Las Vegas, Hawaii and Spruce Knob (the Highest mountain in WV)!
“I have no major upcoming races at the moment. I am focusing on healing my IT Band which I have battled an injury for about a year now. I have been focusing on a lot of strength training and shorter runs. My husband and I are signed up for the Cloudsplitter 100 miler next year but that will all depend on my health at that time. If it’s the Lord's will, we will be on the starting line next year!”
Amy’s “Dream Race” would be any of the 3 international world marathons: London, Berlin or Tokyo. Her favorite inspirational truth is found in the Holy Bible, “it applies to running and life in general: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13.”
Her best running experience was completing the WV trilogy with her husband Chris. “We ran 31 miles the first day, 50 the second and 13.1 the third day, all in the mountains of WV. It was brutal but a beautiful experience with my husband. We kept each other going each step of the way.”
Her favorite brand of running shoes are the Brooks Glycerin, her favorite piece of running gear is her Garmin running watch and her furthest race distance so far, is 50 miles. Amy’s best advice for a beginner, “Rest days are crucial!!”
Running has truly changed Amy’s life because through it God has enabled her to help children who are over 7,000 miles away. She has had the opportunity to know Jesus and receive an education. Congratulations to Amy on all of her future running goals. Next time you see Amy out there, cheer her on with us! Do you know someone who should be the TSR Runner of the Week? Comment below or email kayla@tristateracer.com.