Ashleigh is the 2021 recipient of the Nicole Reinhard Memorial Scholarship.
LVRR: What college will you attend and your intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
AM: I will be attending Saint Joseph’s University and majoring in Accounting/Business. I plan to continue running while at Saint Joseph’s on their Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams.
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
AM: I started running in 8th grade on my middle school’s cross-country team. I chose to be on the team because it sounded like fun and my mom and aunt are big runners, so it was already an influence in my life. I also liked to run and was one of the faster runners on my softball team, so I thought it would be fun to try.
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
AM: My greatest accomplishment in my running career is being the runner-up at the 2020 District XI Championship race and being the winner of my individual heat.
LVRR: Describe an experience where you had to “sink or swim.” What did you learn from it?
AM: An experience where I had to “sink or swim” would have to be when the pandemic hit. Our entire track season had just been cancelled and I had the choice to either give up and wallow in the sadness of missing out on my junior season, or turn my energy towards something else, such as using this experience as a stepping stone. I decided to focus my sorrow on bettering myself as a runner and looking ahead for the upcoming cross-country season in the fall. I learned from this experience that when obstacles arise, we can either let them bring us down and sulk in the grief of what could have been, or we can use them as motivation to push through and work towards a new goal for the future.
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
AM: My most influential role model has been my cross-country coach, Kelly Bracetty. One of the biggest things I struggled with in running was my mindset, as this sport is so mental. It wasn’t my endurance or physical capabilities that stopped me, rather the mental obstacles that arose during races. However, Coach Bracetty has taught me so many lessons about life and mentality. She has taught me how to push through when those obstacles arise, in life and running, and has instilled a never give up mentality in me. She has also shown me the importance of hard work and dedication, by always doing the “little things”, and how they provide results. She is one of the strongest people I know and her endless fight, passion, kindness, humility and mentality inspire me every time I’m around her and learn more of her story.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
AM: Most people would be surprised to learn that I am super scared of birds. It’s such an unusual fear, but they terrify me every time!!! It’s something about their beaks and the fact that they can fly that just gives me goosebumps and makes me run the other way…either on a run or just in everyday life!
LVRR: What is one word you would say to someone who has just started running– whether it be a youth in the LVRR Kids Series, or an older individual- about why running is worth it?
AM: Running is worth it because it’s a journey. No matter who you are or where you are in your life, running is something that is for everyone and it means something different to every person. It’s an individual experience that is molded just for you. It can be a lifestyle that changes your whole life or it can be a hobby that you do on the side to stay in shape. It can be a stress reliever at the end of a hard day or a way to organize your thoughts at the end of a long week. It can be something you try once and never do again or something you fall in love with and make an essential part of your life. Running can be so many different things, and they all make it worth it because they’re all part of the journey. The journey that teaches you about yourself and about life, no matter how big or small running is for you. Running is worth it because it creates a journey and it’s a beautiful journey to follow.
LVRR: What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t do yourself and why?
AM: My favorite event to watch is the 4×100 because it happens so quickly but it’s so intense as one mistake can ruin the whole race.
LVRR: What cross training do you incorporate into your running routine, if any? Do you focus more on cross training in the off season (if there is an off season for you!), or do you tend to cross train throughout the entire training cycle?
AM: I don’t cross train too much but I am definitely trying to incorporate more of it into my training, especially with college approaching! I’m not a huge swimmer but I want to try to improve my swimming skills, so I want to add more swimming to my routine as well as cycling. My family just got a Peloton bike so I have been using that to give my legs a break from the pounding of running and it’s a fun way to incorporate a different kind of cardio! I usually incorporate cross training throughout the whole cycle to give my body a break but I also use it more during the in-between periods of my season to keep my endurance up while still letting my body rest.
LVRR: How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
AM: On the days when I don’t want to run I think about how that run is going to help me in the end. I think about how it’s going to make me feel better not only after it’s over, but how it will make me a better runner in general. I also try to remember my goals and what I’m working towards as those things keep me motivated as well.
LVRR: When faced with a rare but disappointing race finish or workout, how do you pick up and motivate yourself to try again? Is there a specific running mantra that has helped you pull through disappointment?
AM: Whenever I have a race where I’m disappointed with how it went or how I finished, it can definitely be a bit crushing and challenging. However, I try to reflect on the race and pinpoint what went wrong or why it went badly. This helps me realize the problem, decipher what I need to change for next time and how I can improve. As hard as it can be to swallow the acceptance of a tough race, those tough races are crucial as they’re learning blocks towards being a better runner! It also helps me to remember that one race does not define me and just because it went badly that doesn’t mean that I’m a bad runner. I try to remember all of my good races and workouts and move forward towards the next one. It also motivates me to have another race or workout coming up so I can use that as another opportunity to race and perform.
LVRR: What extracurricular activities (outside of running) and community involvement have you participated in?
AM: Outside of running I’ve been involved in my church as a volunteer in various events, I work at Gio Italian Grill as a food runner, I was involved at my high school through Hornet Ambassadors, Freshmen Mentors, and National Honor Society, and I take piano lessons.
LVRR: What are three words that describe how you feel when you’re out running?
AM: Three words that describe how I feel when running are free, powerful, and determined.
