How did you get into running, and what does it mean to you?
I started running in middle school when I joined the cross-country team. My family had moved a few years earlier, and I was still trying to find where I fit. I decided to try something new, and almost immediately found a sense of belonging.
After moving across the country following college, I began feeling a little isolated again. As I did back in middle school, I started trail running and again found people who felt like I'd known them forever!
The trail running community has been the most consistently welcoming and kind group of people I've ever met, and it's the people who keep me coming back! Running is where I found my sense of community then, and where I continue to find it now.
What challenges have made it hard to pursue trail running?
I have two young children and a demanding career as a cryobiology scientist, so finding time to train consistently is often a logistical challenge in itself. Planning for races can sometimes feel particularly daunting, especially when factoring in travel, childcare, time away from work, and financial costs. Pursuing trail running and racing at this stage of life requires a significant amount of coordination and support.
What did the STRIDE grant allow you to do that you otherwise couldn’t?
The STRIDE grant allowed me to pursue race that I considered unreachable for the forseeable future. Through this race and the support of STRIDE, I've also received guaranteed assistance with expenses for any future race that I qualify for. In this way, STRIDE has provided a stepping stone for me to secure even more support and opportunities to pursue trail running and racing!
What would have happened without it?
Without the grant, I likely would have continued to question whether pursuing some of my larger running goals was truly realistic. I’ve always found it motivating to set lofty goals for myself, but seeing one of those goals become reality reinforced my belief that persistence is worth it. The grant gave me confidence in my ability to pursue opportunities within trail running in a way I likely would not have found otherwise.
Tell us about the race or experience STRIDE supported—what stood out most?
Aside from the incredible views, the volunteers were what stood out most. They made every runner feel like their health and experience were truly the priority. It wasn't just filling flasks or handing out food; it was the way they interacted with everyone. They checked in to see how people were feeling, made sure we had enough water and fuel, told us what to expect on the next stretch, ran with people from one end to the next, and even helped cool us down with squirt guns and sponge baths.
I genuinely felt like they wanted every runner to have a great day, and they were having a great time making that happen. The gratitude and joy I left each aid station with made me want to bring that same level of individual care and consideration to the aid stations I get to volunteer at in the future.
What changed for you after this experience (confidence, goals, opportunities)?
I struggle with confidence in my ability and durability. That mostly comes from a deep respect for the consistency and years it takes to build the resilience needed for longer ultras. My first 50K was less than two years ago, and I want to be doing this for a long time. More importantly, I want to enjoy it. Because of that, I tend to err on the side of caution until I have enough experiences to convince myself my goals are realistic.
Unfortunately, self-doubt can be a serious performance limiter, and it isn't always grounded in reality. Before this race, I thought I was being smart and realistic, that everyone else knew more, had more experience, and that I should keep my expectations in check.
Somewhere around halfway through the race, I realized I still felt fantastic and maybe had started a little more cautiously than I needed to. It was, without a doubt, the most technically difficult 50K I've run, but I kept waiting for it to turn into an unmanageablydifficult sufferfest, and that moment never came. I felt the familiar mental battle that always comes when you're zig-zagging back and forth within sight of the finish for an hour, but my legs continued to feel great. If anything, I became more confident in my durability the longer the race went on.
What’s next for you in running?
Run Rabbit Run 50 Mile is next, and I'm really excited about it! Speedgoat gave me confidence that I can handle steep, technical mountain races at altitude, and Gorge Waterfalls 100K earlier this year reinforced that I can stay strong over longer distances. More than anything, though, those races helped me realize that my biggest limiter is often self-doubt.
I still have a healthy respect for the years it takes to build into the longer distances, and I don't want to rush that process. I hope to run 100 milers someday, but I want to enjoy each step along the way and build toward them patiently. Every race continues to reinforce that the goals and dream races I've had for years are approachable if I keep showing up, stay consistent, and trust the work I've put in.
Beyond any single race, that's what I want to keep working on: quieting the self-doubt, staying grounded in reality, and continuing to lean into the incredible community this sport offers.
Finish this: “Running has given me…”
...a community that has made every new place feel like home. It's taught me patience, resilience, and that consistency matters far more than inherent ability. It's given me friendships I never expected, experiences I never thought I'd have, and the confidence to keep chasing goals that once felt completely out of reach.
STRIDE was proud to support Ashley at the 2026 Speedgoat 50K.