Zooma Napa Valley Runner Report: Andrea from San Bruno

The ZOOMA Napa Valley Ambassadors are excited to bring you our Zooma Napa Valley Runner Report Series. Each week we’ll be featuring a ZOOMA Napa Valley half marathon or 10K runner on each of our blogs. As women runners, we want to use our role as Ambassadors to highlight and share the stories behind the incredible women preparing to run ZOOMA in June. Each runner has a special and unique story, and we invite you to learn about our runners through this series. Please feel free to click through the links at the end of each post to read about additional ZOOMA racers.

For week three, I am spotlighting Andrea from San Bruno, CA.  If you want to be inspired then look no further.  Andrea's story is why I love runners and the whole community.  She's lost a ton of weight, looks amazing and has now run too many races to count.  If you're considering running and you think it's not in the cards, this is the motivation you need to see it's possible.  Andrea - you truly are an inspiration and I look forward to meeting you in Napa!  And I hear ya on the Brooks:)

Name: Andrea Hall   

Age: 32

Current City: San Bruno, CA

Race (10K or half marathon): Half Marathon

Why are you running ZOOMA Napa Valley? 

I wanted to run a women’s half and my first half was in wine country—it was beautiful!  I’ve heard some positive feedback about ZOOMA races as well so I wanted in!  And a part of me always runs for all those who don’t think that they can…yet.  So for all the women who look at your event and think “wow, that’s cool I wish I could run” I do this until they all realize that they CAN!

When & why did you start running? 

Around 2010, I’d lost about 50 lbs (with a lot more to go) and the walking I was doing was starting to get easier.  I knew to continue on my healthy living journey I was going to have to continue to challenge myself to try activities that would push me to physical levels I’d yet to get to. 

How many races have you done & which was your favorite? 

I’ve completed 11 half marathons since my first in Aug of 2012.  I’ve honestly lost tract of the other distances that I’ve run because I’ve done so many—5Ks, 10Ks, mini marathons, etc!

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be & why?

Do they have to be runners too? LOL.  I’d want to run with…you know I seriously pondered this—I passed it initially when I didn’t have an immediate answer—and I can honestly say that I don’t desire to run with a celebrity.  BUT a dream run would be with all my social media friends/followers/inspirations in one event.  Where the race expo is our pre party and meet/greet and the post-race is just one big social media party—we leave the weekend truly as friends and not just followers!

What is your favorite running memory? 

Definitely completing my first half--it was a wave of emotions!  I was proud of myself for accomplishing my goal, sad my Mom wasn’t physically with me anymore to see what I’ve accomplished and happy because my best friend’s sign asked me to be her Maid of Honor!  There’s something about your first half that can never be replaced by any PR or run moment!

What is your one running must-have? 

My Brooks!  Not that I condone running naked ;) but my Brooks running shoes are definitely my BFF when it comes to running!

What is your favorite post-run indulgence? 

I always look forward to some LF chocolate milk when I cross the finish line.  But I also enjoy some hearty breakfast post run like pancakes and bacon!

Who is your running inspiration? 

My best friend who got me into running and my Mom who I’ll always keep on keepin on for!  She was my first (and always will be) “cheerleader”!

What is the most important lesson you have learned from running? 

I CAN do anything that I set my mind and focus on!  Consistent and hard work will get me anywhere I want to go!

Want to read about more of our amazing ZOOMA runners? Check them out here: 

Alison on LongRun Happiness 
Sarah on Running On Waffles 
Deb on Dream Body Warrior 
Deborah on FITNESSMOMWINECOUNTRY 
Stephanie on Reason To Play 
Jan on The Slow Life

Are you running ZOOMA Napa Valley and would like to be featured in our Runner Report series? Email runningonwaffles@gmail.com for more information