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Ashley

@runswithforks_

3.2K

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TBI Survivor, Para Athlete, Bike Racer & Trail Runner.
Bay Area, CA 📍

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I recently received an email from Paralympic Pathways inviting me to apply for the Multi-Sport Talent Transfer Camp at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. After everything I’ve been through, it means the world to be recognized at this level.
In 2009, my life changed instantly as a U23 elite cyclist when I was hit by a drunk driver and left for dead. Following an 11-year journey of intensive rehabilitation to relearn how to walk, talk, and rebuild my life from scratch, I finally got back on the bike—and I haven't stopped since.
To me, parasport represents the ultimate intersection of human resilience and athletic achievement. Having lived through that long road back, I know firsthand the transformative power of sport in healing both body and mind. My passion for parasport goes beyond personal ambition. It’s about honoring the second chance I was given, showing others what is possible after trauma, and proving that true athletic grit knows no boundaries.
Regardless of the outcome for this camp in Colorado Springs, I am deeply honored to be recognized by Team USA and excited to keep pushing my limits.
#parasport #teamusa #paralympicsport #tbisurvivor
@teamusa @usacycling @usatriathlon @cafoundation @usparanordicski @usparaskisnowboard @paraathletics @paracommunityefforts @paracollective.cc by @runswithforks_

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5

a day ago

Humble pie for breakfast, indeed. The transition from bike racing to trail running is definitely humbling ☠️. I remember when I could run this entire route without a single step of hiking... 💀
Spent a solid amount of time pushing effort-wise even when the pace slowed down on those climbs, so it was good aerobic work despite the overall average speed being lower. My body was definitely working harder than the clock suggested!
"He's been working hard... but he's getting nowhere fast."
At least I increased my fitness? 📈
#seenonmyrun #trailrunning #run #trailstoke #runviews taken in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by @runswithforks_

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22 days ago

That was fun! First run in the Nike ACG Ultraflys! 🦿💪🏼🏃🏼‍♀️💨 These are the S-Works Shiv of trail racing shoes—definitely not meant for daily miles. I'm super impressed with them. These are a nice addition to my lineup.

@nikerunning #ACG #trailrunner #paraathlete #run #running by @runswithforks_

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a month ago

Tori changed the song mid song. ❤️ Loved this.
Last night's set list:
Fire to Your Plain
Shush
i i e e e
Angelshark
Mary
Pandora's Aquarium
Silent All These Years
Virginia
Little Amsterdam (with improv intro)
Little Earthquakes
Taxi Ride
Winter(with "Garlands" intro)
Encore:
**Take to the Sky (partial; stopped halfway through)
Sugar
Cornflake Girl
Pretty Good Year

#menopause #earswithfeet #toriamos #intimesofdragons
@toriamos taken in Greek Theatre by @runswithforks_

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2 months ago

Still fierce! 🩷👠🫶🏻
Tori Amos's voice has changed through menopause and decades of touring. I've seen her countless times, including last night at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley. Although the concert wasn't like past Tori shows. She can't belt the highs anymore. I'm glad she is adapting; now with three beautiful backup singers to carry the load, she realizes she is forced to change or quit. As a once able-bodied athlete who is now a para athlete, I fully support change over giving up. I'm not sure why so many people are upset about this.

@toriamos 🩷

Greek Theater, August 29th 2026. Berkeley, California taken in Greek Theatre by @runswithforks_

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2 months ago

Today’s ride was a terrifying reminder of how fragile safety on a bike really is, especially for a single female riding by herself.
A driver, convinced I had taken a photo of his car when I was literally just changing a track on Spotify, completely erupted. He screamed obscenities, swerved to block the bike lane, and stalked me for blocks, trailing my wheel like a predator.
When he finally cornered me and got out of his car, the power dynamic was crystal clear. This wasn’t a traffic dispute; it was an act of intimidation rooted in deep male entitlement. Men like him, those accustomed to unearned authority and systemic privilege, often fly into explosive rage the moment a woman exists in public space without catering to their comfort, or dares to stand her ground.
I didn't back down. I looked right at him and said,
"Even if I took your photo, which I don’t need to, my GoPro is already recording you, you have no expectation of privacy in public. But I have the absolute right not to be stalked."
Then I pedaled hard and took off. 🚴‍♀️💨
Incidents like this destroy the illusion that daylight offers protection. It wasn’t dark. It wasn't late at night. This is the exhausting, omnipresent reality of navigating the world alone as a woman. Male predation doesn't need the cover of darkness, it relies on the assumption of impunity, physical intimidation, and the terrifying rage of entitlement when women refuse to shrink.
This behavior is textbook predatory. And it forces you to confront the question we all already know the answer to: Would he have ever dared to do this if I were a man?

#womenwhoride #fuckthepatriarchy ✊🏻#misogyny #bikes #choosethebear by @runswithforks_

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2 months ago

I've missed these mountain adventures. I'm trying not to do too much too soon; if it were safe, I would run forever. Today's run was the first time I ever seriously considered putting my name in the hat for the Quicksilver 100k. 🌄🏃🏻‍♀️💨
#trailrunning #trailrun #run @quicksilver_mut_team taken in Almaden Quicksilver County Park by @runswithforks_

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2 months ago

I wasn’t planning on buying another pair of shoes, but if I find them on sale, I hoard them. It’s like being a bike racer and stumbling on GP5000s for half price—you buy them because you know you'll eventually need new tires.
Eventually, you need new running shoes, too. They only last a few hundred miles, which goes by fast when you log miles every day and start stacking up the long runs. I'm talking loooong runs. Add speed work into the mix, and the pavement pounding really starts adding up.
Just save your feet and buy the damn shoes.
Let's give these a try: Skechers Aero Razor. I ran in Skechers years back when I was with Wolfpack, so let's see how these feel.
🌹🌄🏃🏻‍♀️💨💕🏃🏻‍♀️💨🏆🏅🎖️🏁🎽👟🏎️💨💨💪🏻👭🌯😋🤤💀
@skechersperformance @skechers_running @skechers
#runninglife #runfar #wildroserunning @wild_rose_running
🌹🌄🏃🏻‍♀️💨💕🏃🏻‍♀️💨🏆🏅🎖️🏁🎽👟🏎️💨💨💪🏻👭🌯😋🤤💀 by @runswithforks_

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2 months ago

July was the absolute perfect month to dive back into trail running—and potentially ultra marathons—especially since it's Disability Pride Month.
I'm beyond thrilled to share that this July, I accepted an invitation to run as a para athlete at this year's Mammoth Trail Fest in September! I couldn't be more excited to represent athletes with hidden disabilities and tackle those trails.
There is truly nothing more rewarding than doing something you were told you'd never be able to do again.
Oh yeah... hold my beer. 🍻🏔️
#DisabilityPrideMonth #ParaAthlete #MammothTrailFest #TrailRunning #HiddenDisabilities @mammothtrailfest @borntoadapt @hydrapak @vespa_endurance taken in Almaden Quicksilver County Park by @runswithforks_

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3 months ago

“We are tender and fierce. We are soft and strong. We are fragile and courageous. Sometimes all in one day.”

#challengeaccepted #womanempowerment #trailstoke by @runswithforks_

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3 months ago

My heart is full..🩷🩷🩷🩷 this is my thin place, moments where the distance between heaven and earth collapses, making the veil between the spiritual and physical worlds transparent. These are spaces of profound peace, beauty, or deep transition where the ordinary world fades away.
#traillove #trailstoke #run #thinplaces by @runswithforks_

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3 months ago

I've seen a lot of arguments lately where drivers yell at people on bikes because cyclist don't pay taxes to ride their bikes. I do not understand this argument. Do we need to host a national civics class on infrastructure?
Local roads are paid for by sales and property taxes, not registration fees. Most cyclists also drive cars—and even the ones who don't are still paying to maintain the roads you're driving on.
You don't own the road. We all pay into the same system. Share it. #BIKES #infrastructure #stupidpeople by @runswithforks_

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3 months ago