  |
Meet Amanda Bales, MPT '06
In the spring 2008 issue of The Touchstone you met Amanda Bales Dunne, MPT ’06. Spend a few more minutes with her through our interview here:
What time do you need to qualify?
Any person who reaches the “A” standard, which is 4:10 has a guaranteed spot in the race at the trials. The “B” standard is 4:19. After they have accepted the “As,” they begin to accept athletes with the “B” standard until they have reached the desired number of athletes. In years past, 4:16 has been fast enough to qualify an athlete for the trials.
What’s a typical training week like? I train every day. Two days a week I do harder and more intense runs…intervals on the track with faster paces with corresponding shortened rest periods, hills, or tempo runs consisting of five to seven miles at a pace five minute 45 second mile pace. One day a week I run a long run, usually on Saturdays, which involves running 12 miles on a softer surface like one of the trails. On the days in between I usually run seven to eight miles at 6:45 pace per mile.
Does this change as you get closer to the trials? As I get closer to June I will be running shorter on the days in between my workouts, about five to six miles. I will also cut my long run down to nine to 10 miles and incorporate more speed work. This involves running shorter intervals, at a quicker pace.
What kind of patients do you treat? At Peak Performance, we specialize in the spine, but we also see quite a few running and athletic injuries. I treat a variety of patients and I really enjoy working with all ages. I love getting to know the patients and spending time with them while helping them recover from their aches/pains.
So, do any of your runner patients know your background and what you’re trying to do? A few do and they’re really supportive and excited for me. Gwenna Peters, a PT that I work with, usually tells all my patients what is going on with my running. It is really fun to have co-workers that are so excited!
Who were your mentors when you were a student? Kyle Gibson was wonderful and was always there whenever I had any questions or problems. I frequently needed to leave on Friday for track meets and the physical therapy department was flexible and very understanding. Of course, Marian Minor was so inspirational. I worked with her on a case study of stress fractures in female athletes for the Virtual Health Care Team. She is such a wealth of knowledge and so caring; I loved spending time with her.
What if you don’t qualify? I’m not sure. I am just thankful for all the opportunities that I have been given. Just as I always loved representing the University of Missouri when I put on that uniform, I would be honored to represent our country by wearing the USA uniform. If I fall short of my dreams, I will always be thankful for the blessings God has given me.