What High School did you attend: Roncalli High School
What got you into running? My older brother started running when he was in fourth grade, so I attended his meets with my family. After watching him, I decided that I also wanted to give the sport a try. The coach allowed me to attend practices as a second grader and run in the home meets, and I immediately fell in love with the sport. Since then, I have run both cross country and track.
How are you adjusting to College at Notre Dame? Despite college being a significant adjustment, I love Notre Dame! The school has so much to offer – a strong sense of community, long standing traditions, and top tier academics. I am very thankful to have this place as my second home.
Do you plan to continue to run in the future? Through the excitement, as well as difficulties, that accompany transitioning to a new chapter of my life, I have been able to deal with the stressors and various aspects of college life through running. College is a heavy workload, and time management is important. I have made running a priority for me as it helps prepare me mentally for the day ahead as well as relieve stress. I plan to join the Notre Dame running club and continue running past my college years!
Ashley’s Essay:
The stadium is full, and I feel the crowd’s eyes on me. As the slight breeze swims through the hushed arena, I do a few warm-up strides.
The whistle is blown twice: “Sweats off!” the announcer yells. I feel my heart aggressively beat against the walls of my chest, and I get in the zone. I shake out my butterflies, take deep breaths, and look forward. It’s race time. “Runners, on your mark!” Once I hear the loud pop of the gun, my nerves dissipate, and there’s no time to think. Just run – setting my position, pumping my arms, quickening my cadence. I feel more comfortable as I go. I’m in my element. I’m home.
This feeling, unique to only cross country and track, is one I’ve experienced since I was a little girl. I remember the first time my grade school cross country coach was hesitant to let me, a tiny 7 year-old, compete in a 3k. He eventually gave in, and little did I know that this would only be the beginning of a lifelong journey that would help me discover who I am. The feeling of the wind whipping at your face, the click-clack of the spikes across the gravel, the pain that serves as motivation, the load cheers as you near the finish line- so many aspects of the sport that brings a distinct sense of peace and comfort.
Throughout my early running career, I suffered two stress fractures near my tibia, a stress fracture in my left foot, and was place in a boot two different times for several weeks. During my sophomore year, the impact of these injuries ballooned, and I missed significant portions of the seasons. My sophomore track season was canceled due to COVID, and I contracted COVID mid-way through my junior year. My rapid heartbeat resulted in a four-month setback of no training. After two EKG’s, an echocardiogram, and a stress test, I was finally cleared by my cardiologist.
Working through these setbacks, i began to realize the impact running has had on me since I was a little girl. Throughout the years, it’s become my go-to – my way of escaping the craziness of everyday life. When I found out my best friend was diagnosed with brain cancer, and would be traveling out of state and missing school to get the treatment needed, I was scared. Not knowing where to turn, I ran more than I imagined in the weeks following her diagnosis. Later that same year, my grandpa only had a few days left to live, and I never got to say my final goodbye. After losing him, I felt alone and helpless. Once again, running was my fallback, giving me a sense of peace that I so desperately needed. I am blessed to have this sport as my lifeline – it has become a crucial aspect of who I am, and I’m forever grateful for the endless laughter, support, and pure happiness it has brought me over the last 11 years.
