U.S. Navy Dentist Has Olympic-Sized Goal

Lt. Amanda Rice is a dentist by day and a runner by night — and early morning.

A member of the U.S. Navy is hoping to race in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials ahead of the 2016 Games.

Lt. Amanda Rice, however, isn’t a typical sailor or Naval officer you might see on a ship.

She’s a dentist, and she’s a runner.

Based at the Atsugi Branch Health Clinic at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka in Japan, Rice helps sailors stay healthy in her job as a general dentist. And when she’s not doing that, she’s most likely running.

In this video feature, Rice said she wakes up at 4 or 4:30 a.m. and runs 10 miles before going to work. When her dayjob is over, she sometimes heads to the track for a speed workout or the gym to do some core strength exercises.

A native of Portland, Ore., Rice plans to run the Chicago Marathon next month. If all goes as planned, she will qualify to compete in the next Olympic Trials Marathon. The date and location of the race have yet to be determined.

Rice must run a 2:43 or better to hit the “B” standard in order to qualify. If she clocks in at 2:37 or faster, she will reach the “A” standard — which means she’ll qualify and also be provided funding support by USA Track & Field.

“Everything I try and do, I try to do well,” Rice said. “With running, that is committing myself to training and continuing my fitness. And so as an officer, I am constantly trying to improve and be a better sailor.”