If you asked Ashley Donahue to run a mile three months ago, she says her response would have been to laugh and say, “No way.” But on September 15, she not only ran a mile. She ran her first 5K race — 3.1 miles — as the culmination of her participation in the Still I Run Starting Line Scholarship Program.
“I worked really hard to get to where I am and complete the race. I kept pushing forward and was able to prove to myself that I could do it. Now I can tell myself, Yes! I can do hard things,” she says.
The Better Health Journey Continues
The Starting Line Scholarship Program is designed to remove barriers that may detour people from running to better their mental health. Scholarship winners are provided with running shoes and gear, coaching, fitness classes, and entry into a 5K race. For Ashley, the program was the catalyst she needed to move forward in her journey to better physical and mental health.
“Even though I was athletic in high school, things changed when I went to college. I had become very sedentary. I enjoyed walking my dog, but that was about the extent of my exercise,” she says.
Ashley also notes that she’d struggled with anxiety since childhood. As an adult, it had gotten to a point where it was taking over her daily life.
“I was overweight, and eating to combat anxiety and depression. It was affecting my ability to be a good mom, a good wife, and just a good person in general,” she explains.
In January 2023, she took a major step to take back control of her life and underwent bariatric surgery. Having since lost 100 pounds, she considers that experience a gift that is now enabling her to pursue a healthier lifestyle. But she recognized that being healthy was not just about the physical aspect but the mental as well.
“I had taken a lot of positive steps in my mental health journey—medication, therapy, and being open about my struggles — but something was missing. I was going on daily walks, but I knew I needed to push myself more. Running seemed like it could help but getting started was daunting. I was overwhelmed thinking “Where do I start, what do I do, and what if I can’t go very far?”
“Then I learned about the Starting Line Scholarship Program from my sister, Allison. She had completed the program last session and raved about how much she gained from it. My other sister, Marion, was interested in participating, too. I thought it would be so cool to walk this journey together and support one another. So we both applied and were accepted into the program.”
Building Confidence, Gaining Friends
Ashley admits that at the start of the 12-week program, which includes twice-a-week meetups for running, exercising, and group therapy, she was self-conscious about her running. “I was nervous in the beginning. I tend to be a competitive person but I knew that running wasn’t something I was going to be great at right off the bat.”
However, Ashley found that the support she received from her fellow scholarship program participants was phenomenal. That helped change her outlook.
“Everyone in the group was so supportive and encouraging. The therapists, run coaches and exercise coaches were fantastic as well, supporting us every step of the way,” she says.
“I hope that everyone in our group stays in touch because each one has impacted me so greatly. I am honored that they felt safe to share their stories with me, and I feel so grateful that they listened to my struggles and never judged me.
“While I may not be the fastest runner, I have gained friendships, accountability, motivation, and, most importantly, confidence. My favorite saying, which has kept me going during many of the training runs, is ‘Forward is a pace.’ Moving forward is what matters.”
Self-Care Matters
Ashley also notes that another important benefit that has come from her participation in the program is that it’s helped her see the importance of putting herself first.
“I work a demanding, high-stress job (she’s a social worker and works with children and families going through the foster care system). I also have an active family that includes my husband, 7- and 11-year-old sons, a cat, and a dog. I realized I was not very good at doing things for myself and that was affecting my ability to be good for my family and others around me.
“Because of the scholarship program, I’ve been able to do something for me. In doing so, I’ve been able to show my kids the importance of exercise, mental health, and how important it is to take care of yourself both mentally and physically.
“Finishing up the scholarship program is definitely not the end of my better health journey. I know that I will stick to running or other forms of exercise going forward. I have gained so much confidence in myself. I love the feeling I get after a run that and being able to say, ‘I just did that!’
“I’ve become a huge advocate of using exercise and the support you get from others to move forward in achieving better physical and mental health. I figure if I can do it, anyone can do it — and the Starting Line Scholarship Program definitely provides the roadmap to help you in your journey.
