Ashley Paulson is a remarkable athlete whose energy and dedication to fitness set her apart. As a mother of four residing in St. George, Utah, she has committed the last ten years to competing in Ironman triathlons and marathons. Embracing the demands of her training, Paulson has found joy in juggling early-morning workouts, late-night treadmill runs, and doubling up on training sessions when her schedule allows.
“I don’t want to be a mom who’s not involved,” Paulson expressed in an interview with Runner’s World. Her commitment to her family means rising early to complete her workouts and staying up late for her two teenage daughters. The indoor training sessions and early mornings have transformed from a burden to a cherished aspect of her routine.
At 38, Paulson works as a coach for iFit, a virtual training platform by NordicTrack. This role allows her to integrate her fitness goals with her professional life, enabling her to fit in a morning workout and often a second session in the afternoon. A standard week for this dedicated athlete encompasses running between 70 to 80 miles, cycling for 12 to 15 hours, and swimming for about five to six hours.
“I run significantly more than most triathletes because it’s my passion,” she stated. “When I dismount the bike during an Ironman, my excitement grows—I look forward to running a marathon!” This year, her determination paid off when she qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials at Grandma’s Marathon, finishing with an impressive time of 2:44:50. As she prepared for the Trials in Atlanta, she tailored her training regimen to balance the necessary cycling and swimming hours while only slightly increasing her running mileage.
“Although I run less than other qualifiers, I believe that incorporating cycling and swimming keeps me fit and helps prevent injuries,” Paulson remarked. Her hard work proved fruitful, as she completed the hilly Atlanta course with a time of 2:40:07, earning her a remarkable 44th place finish among women.
To fuel her rigorous schedule of training and competition, nutrition plays a crucial role in Paulson’s routine. She typically starts her day with a PB&J smoothie made with toast, peanut butter, and strawberries. On race mornings, she opts for applesauce, toast, and a banana, even incorporating a single-serving of Cheetos for that much-needed salt and carbs—her unique pre-race snack that started as a personal experiment.
Paulson’s eating habits during workouts have evolved; she now maintains a nutrition strategy that includes 200 calories every hour of exercise. During intense efforts, she prefers energy gels or even simple carb-and-salt snacks like puffed Cheetos and doughnuts. At lunchtime, her go-to is a hearty sandwich filled with turkey and avocado, while she ensures her recovery by consuming amino acids mixed with water.
In her evening meals, Paulson often opts for a carb-loading approach, featuring basic combinations like chicken and rice, or indulging in pizza with family on weekends. The night before a race, she focuses on minimizing fiber to avoid stomach issues. Her pre-race breakfast typically consists of pancakes and eggs to maximize energy reserves. Surprisingly, she believes that indulging in candy during non-race days, like jelly beans or Swedish fish, can serve as enjoyable workout fuel, maintaining balance with a moderate approach towards sweets.
Ashley Paulson is a testament to the fact that dedication and passion can intertwine beautifully within the busy fabric of family life. Her disciplined training, nutritional insights, and innovative fueling strategies showcase how one can pursue competitive athletics without compromising personal commitments. To follow her journey, keep up with her latest races and training tips as this inspiring athlete continues to challenge herself and thrive.
