Photo By Douglas Stutz | Bringing it home in fine fettle: Andy Peters, assigned to Naval Hospital Bremerton...... read more read more
BREMERTON, Wash. - For those who don't know, a 5K run not only equals 3.1 miles, but also measures 16,368 feet, 4,988 meters and 196,416 inches. Every step seems longer when hills are included in the equation.
Hills did not slow down or dissuade Andy Peters during the recently held annual ‘Aloha Moani 5K’ Memorial run on May 16, 2015. When he had learned he placed first with a time of 18 minutes and 15 seconds at a 5:53 pace, it was with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
“Whenever I run in an event I try to make sure that I that perform well. I knew when I placed first that I had done just that,” said Peters.
Peters’ inspirational drive to run came from a competitive background which fueled his passion for running at Homer Junior High and Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. He continued running at the collegiate level on the cross country and track team of Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho. Running is also a family trait, for Peters met his wife, Amy, a heptathlete and soccer player at Northwest Nazarene, where both were majoring in biomedical science.
While attending Northwest Nazarene, Peters ran 1,500 meter and 3000 meter steeplechases, along with 5K and 10K distances. Back then he was running 60 to 90 miles per week, and today he prefers to run 5K’s, 10K’s and half marathons (13.1 miles).
In response to being asked about future running plans, Peters explains “I hope to get in shape for a marathon in the next couple of years, however, I don’t want to do it unless I can dedicate the full amount of time it takes to train for it because I want to be competitive and get a good time when I do the marathon.” He further explains that he and a few old college friends have been talking about doing a Hood to Coast run this next year.
When asked why he prefers long distance running over short distance running, Peters shared that “longer distances are easier to maintain and remain competitive in compared to short distances. Running a moderately intense pace for a 10K is easier to me than running an extremely intense pace for a shorter distance.”
After graduating from Northwest Nazarene University, Peters is now a U.S. Navy lieutenant assigned to Naval Hospital Bremerton resident physician in his second year of the Family Medicine Residency Program.
Peters’ career goals in Navy Medicine have not been completely planned out as of this time, with still much to be established.
“What I end up doing in the Navy and how long I end up staying in will depend on a lot of factors which have yet to be determined,” Peters said.
What has been determined however, is his insight on running. When asked what advice he could offer to someone just starting out in running, he replied, “Everyone has to start somewhere. I would suggestion that if you are a runner who wants to run more competitively, that you try running twenty to thirty minutes at a minimum of three to four times a week. Also I should warn you, after a truly hard run, do not expect to feel 100 percent yourself. Expect pain.”
Peters shared that one of his strengths is being able to handle hills. However, he has noticed that when running in an event, as it begins to get close to the last third of the race, he slows himself down. Then when the final lap/home stretch comes around, he makes sure to give it his all and finish strong.
Peters openly admits that running is no easy task. It is a mental sport.
“When running competitively, you are competing to finish first, while at the same time you are competing against yourself to decrease your time and increase your speed,” said Peters, adding that in order to be successful on a collegiate level cross country and track team, the qualities needed are motivation, discipline, and of above all else, passion.
Peters applies those same qualities to his residency program in order to become a family physician. Especially in the home stretch.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2015 18:19 |
| Story ID: | 164170 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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