LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
One of Air Education and Training Command's newest marathon team members, Angela Studer has not yet run 26.2 miles, but one day she will - if all goes to plan.
As the noncommissioned officer in charge of data quality, making sure hospital employees are deployment ready, planning for and analyzing training is central to Studer's career.
This attention to organization and detail blends well with her personal life.
In her cubicle at Wilford Hall Medical Center's readiness office, Studer has a color-coded running schedule tacked above her desk.
"I read a lot," the staff sergeant said. "I like the ideas in a lot of (training programs). I manipulate them for my schedule and where I'm at running."
The weekly plan helped her stay organized and find time between work and graduate classes at night, while training for the Air Force Marathon's 10K.
Studer's training regimen is unique in its variety, separating elements of endurance, speed work, time, tempo and pace into their own daily workouts. The physical training leader also includes weightlifting to promote muscle strength.
"I just try to switch it up," she said. "I'm constantly pushing myself."
Though her focus is the 10K at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Studer's year is full, with the addition of numerous smaller competitions around the state.
Her 52-minute time at a 10K in Springwood, Texas, topped a list of nearly 300 female competitors at the run and earned her a place on the AETC team.
Studer said she has always preferred longer distances.
Studer said she doesn't "pick up speed until the three-mile point," and the longer she runs, the faster.
As much as the 28-year-old likes to keep her body guessing, for the former high school two-mile runner some things become routine.
Buy shoes every three months; put in at least three miles a day; head to Helotes for longer weekend runs; stretch after six miles; jog 20-minute cool downs; compete in four or five big events each season; try to beat a personal record every time.
And, then there's the unpredictable.
On a path toward the Air Force Marathon this year, Studer already ran three half marathons this spring when a thyroid condition began to trouble her.
"When it crashes, you have no energy and your body goes to crap," she said. "You have to stabilize again."
It had been stable for three years prior.
Her hyperthyroidism is both the reason she is so aggressive in scheduling and running workouts, and why she wasn't able to conquer a marathon this year.
But Studer didn't give up, lacing up her running shoes four months later.
"I push myself so hard because I really hate having this thyroid disease. I can't just get out and run whenever I want. I have to really work at it and condition myself."
Too competitive to run a four-hour marathon, Studer said it can wait until next year.
With the 10K Saturday, she's probably more focused on finishing the distance under 53 minutes, and locating a good stuffed pizza.
"Before a long race, I always eat half a pizza," she said.
"The next morning - from all the carbs in the pizza - I feel like I can run forever."