I coach trail and ultra runners across a wide range of distances, from trail 5Ks to 200-plus-mile events, as well as long adventures and FKT-style projects. Whether you’re new to trail running, planning your first ultra, or dreaming up a big personal objective, I meet you where you are and help you build toward it thoughtfully. My focus is on adaptability and consistency so you can move confidently through varied terrain, long days, and the realities of life alongside training.

Every runner’s path looks different, and training should reflect that. I coach trail and ultra runners with a whole-human approach that respects where you are and adapts as life changes. Training plans are individualized, research-informed, and built to fit into your day-to-day life so progress can continue, even when things don’t go perfectly.

Honest communication is central to my coaching, allowing plans to evolve based on how you’re actually feeling and what’s happening beyond the trail. I’ll be with you every step of the way, celebrating your achievements, providing quality feedback, and guiding you through the challenges.

My coaching experience centers on working with mid- to back-of-the-pack trail and ultra runners who want to feel prepared, confident, and supported through the training process. I’ve helped athletes build sustainable routines, adapt training around life demands, and approach races and long days on the trail with greater awareness, resilience, and joy.

I’m a trail runner and adventurer nestled in the redwoods in Northern California. Before settling here, I lived in an adventure van and traveled all over the Western United States seeking adventure. I’ve been a backpacking and mountaineering guide, and explored vast deserts, big mountains, and lush forests. Immersing myself in these wilderness spaces has been integral to discovering who I am as a person, and doing so has fostered curiosity and a connection to nature that keeps me going back for more. Multi-day backcountry trips are my favorite; I enjoy challenging fastpacking trips, but I also really love a leisurely backpacking trip.

When I’m not out exploring, I can be found reading, writing, or hanging out with my partner and our two cats… and hopefully a dog soon!

I’m inspired by many of the great ultra runners; Ann Trason for incredible race history and longevity in the sport; Courtney Dewaulter, because she’s the GOAT but also I love her unwavering optimism; and Sally McRae, because of her strength and refusal to shrink herself to fit societal standards. I’m also inspired by all of the amazing athletes whom I call friends, and by the athletes I coach. All of these people show grit and tenacity, and they continuously remind me of why I keep showing up — to connect with the running community and the world around me, and to keep climbing the mountains ahead.

My racing journey followed a fairly linear path, from 5Ks and 10Ks to ultras and multi-day stage races. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to travel widely for races and long adventures, including setting 57 FKTs, running the inaugural Snowman Race in Bhutan, and racing a multi-day stage race in Canada.

I’ve experienced the full spectrum of race outcomes; standing on podiums, finishing solidly in the middle of the pack, placing DFL, and sometimes not finishing at all. Those highs and lows have shaped how I approach training and racing, and they inform how I coach: with humility, adaptability, and a respect for unpredictability on race day.

• UESCA Certified Ultra Running Coach

I don’t see speed as a prerequisite for strong coaching or meaningful progress. Trail and ultra running are about much more than times, and my coaching reflects that broader view.

Notable FKTs:

• John Muir Trail, solo and unsupported, 223 miles, ~60,000 ft gain.
• Mount St. Helens Summit & Circumnavigation, 37 miles, 11,500 ft gain.
• Telescope Peak from Shorty’s Well, ~31 miles, 11,700 ft gain.
• Mount Shasta via Historic Sisson Trail, ~23 miles, 10,500 ft gain.
• Lost Coast Trail, ~58 miles, 9,900 ft gain.
• Joshua Tree Traverse Out & Back, 74 miles.

These FKTs represent years of learning how to prepare, adapt, fuel, navigate terrain, and problem-solve through long, challenging days, experience that directly informs how I coach.

If you’d like to see the list of FKTs that I’ve set, you can find them here: https://fastestknowntime.com/athlete/ashly-winchester