About Coach aSHLEY

Believe it or not, I haven’t always been a runner. As a team sport athlete through high school, running was reserved for pre-season conditioning and punishment. It wasn’t until I was living in sunny southern CA in my 20s that I decided to do something else besides surf to stay in shape and appreciate the perfect weather. I went out for a slow 1.5 mile lap around my neighborhood and realized it was fun to run when no one was making me do it. I kept it up a few days a week, and then one day I did it twice. My new hobby snowballed from there!

My first race was a half marathon. That day, I wore headphones and a new shirt for the first time (both strongly advised against in races), and clutched an inhaler the entire time. I didn’t eat anything my entire two hours and two minutes of running, because I knew nothing about nutrition. I felt so out of place, but I finished the race.

Flash forward and I’ve finished 15 marathons (two Bostons and three BQs), 16 half marathons, one 50 miler, one 50k, several shorter distances, three 70.3 triathlons, and three Ironmans. I describe myself as being addicted to finish lines. I love the journey that race training takes me on and the structure it provides, and I thrive on the finish line as the culmination of the whole process.

Working as a Surf Instructor for 15 years, I most enjoyed seeing the smiles on my students’ faces when they stood up and rode their first wave. This is what inspired me to get into coaching. I obtained my RRCA Level 1 coaching certification in early 2020.

Outside of running, you can find me adventuring with my dog, eating pizza (also my go-to post-race and post-long run meal),  at the beach or in the water, or working as a surf instructor.

PRs:

5k: 20:59

Half Marathon: 1:32:56

Marathon: 3:29:31