GETTING TO KNOW......Andrew Williams

Age

32

Residence

Middlebury, IN

Grew Up

Middlebury, IN

College

Manchester College, 2010 (Athletic Training)

Number of previous Marathon Trials?

0

How did you start running?

In 1st grade my elementary school put in a quarter mile fitness trail around our recess area.  If you chose to run/walk during recess, you were given a punch card to keep track of your laps.  Every 25 miles completed throughout the year would bump you to a new "mileage club".  In second grade I set our school record with 300 miles, and in 5th grade I beat it with 525 miles.  When they repaved the track in 5th grade, they let me put my footprints in the concrete.  Since I teach at my old middle school, I get to run past those same footprints and remind myself of how I got started.

Where did you qualify for the Trials?

California International Marathon - 2019   2:17:49

Tell us about the point you realized you had qualified for the Trials and how it felt?

I knew the whole race I was on pace, but it didn't sink in that I had a real shot until mile 18.  At that point I was like, "Don't mess this up!"  When I crossed the line and saw my time, the emotions came flooding out and I cried tears of joy knowing that the countless hours of hard work and sacrifices had paid off.  

What High School did you graduate from and what year did you graduate?

Northridge High School - 2006

What were your best track times in high school what were your best times in track and best placings in cross country?

• 800m:  2:01
• 1600m:  4:31
• 52nd Place at the Indiana State Cross Country Championships

#1 High School highlight?

2004 Cross Country Team State Champions

Best track times in college and best placings in cross country?

• 1500m:  4:05
• 5000m:  15:22
• 10,000m:  31:50
• Cross Country:  Great Lakes Regional 3rd Place, NCAA DIII National Qualifier (2008 & 2009)

#1 College highlight?

Team qualifying for the NCAA DIII Cross Country National Championship

Current Coach?

self-coached

Sponsor(s)?

3 Rivers Running Company; Grand Design

Something unique about you?

I'm one of the few people I know who still uses a flip phone

Favorite Workout?

10x 1 mile repeats with 1 minute rest between each

Favorite Place to Train?

National Parks. I love to travel to these places and go for runs where I can explore off the beaten path.

Occupation?

Physical Education Teacher

Favorite Food?

This changes frequently. Right now I'd say sweet potatoes... but I'm also a sucker for a good cheeseburger.

Favorite movie?

American Graffiti

If you could have lunch with one person who would it be with?

Eliud Kipchoge. Getting insight from the greatest marathon runner to date would be interesting to say the least.

Dinner?

I'm going to cheat and say all 4 of my grandparents. They have all passed away at this point, but it would be fun to introduce them to their great grandkids.

Goal at the Trials?

Be competitive. Training for the trials has been a rocky road with injury and sickness, but my body is mostly recovered at this point. Qualifying for the trials was my moonshot, and making the Olympic team may not be realistic, but I still want to use my God given talents to the best of my ability and finish with no regrets.

Anything else you would like to share?

My wife and 2 kids have made a lot of sacrifices to allow me to train at a high level. I would not have qualified for the Olympic Trials without their support and encouragement. God has blessed me with some amazing gifts and opportunities, and I hope I never take a step for granted.