Middle School Start, Ultra Finish

Running stories often start in the simplest ways. For Allayva, it began in middle school, not with big goals or lofty dreams, but with peer pressure. Being second fastest in gym class with the cross-country coach watching pushed the path onto the team. From there, the journey kept moving…into track and field, then road racing, and eventually onto the trails.

That natural progression has turned into a passion that now includes ultramarathons, community, and adventures across state lines. Allayva’s story shows how running can evolve from a push in gym class to completing some of the hardest races in the country.

How did you first get into running?

I joined the middle school cross country team due to literal peer pressure. Being second fastest in gym class with the XC coach watching certainly put a spotlight on me. I just kept going from there to track and field, road racing, then to the trails.

What are you currently training for?

I just finished Eastern States 100 a little over a month ago as part of the PA Triple Crown series, so it’s off-season time. I’ve got a 20 miler in a few weeks and I’m pacing a friend for a 100 miler, but really I’m lining myself up for either Rim-to-River 100 or Western States (if I get in, lulz) next year along with a few other ultras.

What does a typical training week look like?

I travel a lot for work, so it’s a bit chaotic. Mondays are always my off days though. I do some cross training, but I really use them for recovery. Base training is often Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday being steady with a workout tossed in, and then Saturday and Sunday I double up with long runs. Runs are morning, midday, or evenings based on when I fit them in for the day with work. Friends joke that they can follow my work travel based on my Strava runs up and down the east coast. 

Peak training comes with six days a week of running, with Tuesday and Thursday being workouts, and Saturday and Sunday continuing to be long runs. Peak weeks are around 70–80 miles, 10,000+ feet of elevation, and often over 12 hours of running. Cross training is always tossed in but it sometimes depends on how much time I have and how tired I get.

Do your friends and family support you? 

Oh gosh. Family and friends are the only way I can make it through this insanity!! My partner crews for me at all the big races along with other friends. Extra kudos to my partner helping make dinner when I’m too tired and so, so much more. Extra, extra kudos to my cats who snuggle with me when I’m taking my extra post-run naps on the weekends.

How did you make the jump into Ultras? 

Honestly, the move from road to trails was a consequence of 2020 and a divorce leading to me taking a lot of time away from running. Marathon running…even races…started to feel more like a chore than a joy. I got invited to some trail runs and found I enjoyed the quiet. Being away from people and things, being able to explore and find cool new trails and sights along the way, it all clicked. It connected me with old and new friends, and I loved the casual vibe. Sure, we all train hard for these grueling ultras, but the whole goal is to enjoy the experience and the community thrives off shared joy and accomplishments. Also, coming across some awesome vistas, sunrises, and exploring places and parks all around makes it a lot of fun.

How do you balance running with your travel schedule?

I travel two to three weeks out of the month and it’s a bit of being everywhere. I do make a lot of my own schedule visiting customers and working with colleagues, so it does give me some flexibility in getting runs in. I’m quite busy though, and it can be extra tiring combining it all, but it does mean I can sometimes adjust my travels to conveniently end up at a state park or local trail system. I’ve done a lot of wayfinding as I find new places to run. Thankfully a lot of trails are fairly well marked these days, but I’ve definitely gotten turned around a few times.

What’s your favorite running memory?

Favorite running memory is tough, to be honest, and there’s really no singular moment. I’ve run Boston, Berlin, and Chicago among others. But honestly, it’s the moments running with friends that give me happiness. Long runs with my besties or even linking up to run parts of our races together. Catching up with a random gal during a half seven years ago led to us running the same races together this year, which has been a lasting joy.

Climbing up a mountain during Eastern States and taking a moment to see the sunrise over a fog-filled valley I had just been in, 26 hours into the race, stands out. Laughing and suffering with a friend for the last eight miles of a 50K is another.

I will say that running and finishing Eastern States 100 this year was a “dream come true” moment. I finished with a smile and immediately knew I was going to run more of these dumb races because I just experienced so much joy and love for the race, the trails, and running throughout.

Conclusion: 

Running has taken Allayva from being nudged onto a middle school cross country team to standing at the finish line of the Eastern States 100. What started with peer pressure has turned into a love for exploring trails, pushing limits, and sharing the journey with others. Whether it’s a sunrise at mile 80 or an easy 10 miler with friends, running continues to be a way of connecting, celebrating, and living fully.

You can follow Allayva on Instagram.