Ashley taking part in the 2022 Cascade Lakes Relay, alongside past and present Whisper runners.

On my morning run, I took a tour of Seattle’s notoriously vibrant Capitol Hill, made my way to Leschi to inspect the water, and completed my journey, breezing down Lake Washington Road, waving to trees in the arboretum. Six years ago I would have patterned my run with 200 sprints or a tempo, preparing for the track season ahead. Today, I jogged along reminiscing on wearing bright yellow socks and hair ribbons, thankful for the ability to get out into the city without the constraints of looming competition. I miss my days of wearing the Whisper uniform and the friends I looked forward to seeing at practice and am excited whenever I get my siblings updates on the community. Catching snippets of the world I used to be so present in, gives me perspective on how much has changed since I have left. The streets of Seattle occupy a space in my mind, evicting the road names of Camas and Vancouver, I once knew so well. I still see my favorite running buddy a couple times a week, attempting to hold on to a bit of home in the chaotic track of growing up. Taking in the city together, we reassure each other about the heavy uncertainty of the future and circle career paths. We have both missed our days on the starting line and were easily roped back into the world of racing by the opportunity of the Boston Marathon in April. Training for the marathon has brought structure and running overall has kept me sane throughout this period of my life.

I came to college and rushed the process of grounding myself in the city, getting an internship, job, volunteering and finding others who call this place their home. I picked up unconventional means of income, hosting children's science birthday parties on the weekends to supplement hobbies of cooking, rock climbing, and music related ventures. During the week, I attend classes, working towards my majors of biochemistry and marine biology. I also spend some of my day at a cardiology lab, where I research the effect of genetic mutations on the heart. In everything I participate in, I try to make my life exciting, taking classes that pique my curiosity, and being actively engaged in research.

Ashley (1295) and teammates post-race at the 2019 USATF Regional Championships after qualifying for Nationals.

My home life is filled with a constant stream of distractions, as I live with ten other girls in a house close to campus. Our calendar is filled with nights at concerts and trips around the country. Being a college student requires being thrifty and so when we found a buy one get one travel deal, we hopped on it and booked a quick trip to Alaska. Unfortunately, the cloudy days ruined a chance to see the northern lights, but we ameliorated the situation by eating some good pizza and marveling at the mountain range. Any weekend escape provides a break from the bustling city culture. I have been introduced to many new places in Washington and although I was not much of a camper before college, I had to adapt as it was not reasonable to purchase an Airbnb every time we needed to get away. It would be a lie to say we have a constant stream of adventurous whims, as most nights we unwind in the comfort of our home. Looking into the windows of our centrally located home, pedestrians can spot us drinking tea and keeping up a steady string of conversation, while our homework sits in front of us, nearly untouched.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by many ambitious people, who motivate me to work towards my passions. Before college, I had my heart set on becoming a neurosurgeon but now I am now welcoming the idea of not knowing what I want to do. I have really enjoyed classes that have given me foundations for understanding the way the world functions. Every breath and heartbeat prefaced with a biological pathway that is so complex it's easy to be grateful. As I become further immersed in the science world, I yearn to share my passions with others, and have joined outreach programs for kids in the Seattle area. Working with kids is a refreshing vacation from being around often single tracked college students. The world of possibilities is expanded, and my perspective is shifted to view situations from more juvenile eyes. Working with kids and being in a city with so many opportunities has presented me with a million paths to take, but I will remember to take time and smell the roses as I jog along.