Member Spotlight: Ashlee Flowers
Ashlee was one of the first people to join our new weekly Discovery run, an intro to trail running class, earlier this year and has become a consistent and friendly face for all incoming trail newbies. A veteran runner herself, she has been running and racing on the trails since 1996. Split between living in two cities, she has contributed to building the Trail Roots community by co-starting the Roots Readers, a running-related book club, and she’s a regular at social gatherings. As a side passion, Ashlee joined United in Stride where she guides a visually impaired runner as he trains for the Austin half marathon. We wanted to dig deeper into this experience and learn more about her journey with running and Trail Roots.
What inspired you to start running? Have you always preferred the trails?
I ran track and cross country in jr. high and high school, then took a brief break during college. I started dating my now husband, Steve, who was a runner and triathlete. He was training for the Big Sur Marathon and encouraged me to train for my first 5k. I ran the Big Sur trail 5k and was hooked. I spent 10 years training for road marathons but did all of my long runs on dirt roads or trails at Palo Duro Canyon. I then moved to the coast in 2006, so trail running came to a halt, but then I started back on the trails after moving to Austin in 2017 post Hurricane Harvey.
What made you want to join the Discovery class and Trail Roots?
After a disappointing short stint with another trail running group, I was looking for a group that practiced “no runner left behind”. I found that and more with Trail Roots. From the instant I signed up, I was welcomed by Erik, Amy, and many others. The concept of forming small running tribes is very beneficial. Sometimes in a large group, quieter individuals can get lost and not feel included, but instantly being a part of a tribe can diminish those feeling.
“I was looking for a group that practiced “no runner left behind”. I found that and more with Trail Roots. From the instant I signed up, I was welcomed by Erik, Amy, and many others. The concept of forming small running tribes is very beneficial. Sometimes in a large group, quieter individuals can get lost and not feel included, but instantly being a part of a tribe can diminish those feeling.”
How has your running changed since joining a group?
After 20+ years of solo running (not many runners in the Texas Panhandle), I have really embraced the benefits of running in a group. Runs are definitely easier with friends!
You helped organize a running book club, how did that come to be and what encouraged you to get it going?
During Discovery runs the topic of conversation always seemed to come back to books. We were essentially a running book club. On the forum Vy (another member) was looking to borrow a running book and suggested that we start a book exchange or club. I had organized a couple of clubs in the past and thought a book club was a great idea. Pre-pandemic I organized a monthly Cookbook Club where our group would select a cookbook and then each member would make a recipe from the book, then we would get together for a potluck style dinner. During the pandemic I organized a monthly True Crime Podcast Hiking Club. I was comfortable organizing the events, but didn’t know many people, so with the help of Christy, Roots Readers was formed.
How did you learn about United in Stride and what made you want to sign up?
About 3 years ago a local group hosted a seminar on guiding visually impaired runners. I wasn’t able to attend, but was referred to United in Stride. I listed my name on the database and was contacted this past May by a visually impaired runner, Qusay, who was looking for a guide. I am an Occupational Therapist with experience assisting individuals with disabilities, but I have no specific training with the visually impaired. It was an opportunity for me to learn more about being visually impaired and also give the gift of running.
Can you share with us a bit about how it works and what your experience has been like so far?
United in Stride has a database where sighted runners and visually impaired runners can list their pace, distance, and general location. It is up to individuals to make contact with one another. Absolutely no experience is required. After receiving an email from Qusay, we made plans to talk on the phone. Immediately, I could tell that we were a fit. Qusay loves to run and was hoping to get off the treadmill and enjoy more outdoor runs. From that point on we set a schedule to run weekly. We first started by walking from his apartment to a nearby park or a running track. This allowed us to practice with fewer obstacles and people. After about a month of running together we started running on Town Lake. We use a neoprene hand tether that is about 18” long that connects us by looping around our wrists. I use verbal cues and a gentle tug on the tether to guide Qusay. Basically, if you can see, you can guide.
Have you learned anything about yourself from this experience?
I’ve learned to not take the ability to run for granted.
Do you have any races or running trips that you are preparing for this year?
I’m running Zilker Relays for the first time, the Wild Hare 10k for fun, and the Aurora 10 miler.
Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to learn how to trail run?
Change your definition of running. I ran 8 Tuff Miles in St John which is a very hilly race. I was determined to run up every hill. I passed runners that were walking up the hills only to be passed by the same walkers as they ran downhill.