Biography information
Full Name: Ashley Nichole McClellion
Date of Birth: Feb. 9, 1989
Brothers/Sisters: Lauren and Ryan Carlton.
Hobbies: running, drawing, reading, writing poetry, and hanging out with friends.
Personal Bests: 20:08 from last cross country season and 19:46 from this cross country season.
Academic Interest: I want to major in Special Education and minor in Psychology.
scrunners: What were you thinking going into the state meet?
mcclellion: I was visualizing myself running each mile of the course and thinking of my strategy for the flats, turns, and the hill coming up on the second mile. I was also thinking about running a smart race and stalking the girls that beat me in upper state and then passing them and coming in first at the finish line. I could see myself running down the finish line and crying at the same time, knowing that I was going to win. I just thought about how it was my last year running for Palmetto and how I wanted to make my family, my team, and my coach, proud. I was visualizing going out with a bang!
scrunners: Following a fourth place finish at upper state, what did you think of that course and how did you think what you could then achieve at state?
mcclellion: I thought the course at upper state was a really tough course. Afternoon races are hard for me and I usually do not perform at my best in the afternoon. It did not help that it was so hot either. After being beaten by three girls, I was unsure that I could accomplish my goal of winning state. I doubted myself for a few days afterwards, but I bounced back and decided that I did not care if I passed out at the state meet, that I was going to win!
scrunners: How did your race unfold at the state meet?
mcclellion: Quite ironically, after visualizing myself running the course so many times and thinking about where I needed to be at each mile, the race unfolded just as I had visualized it doing so. I stalked the three girls that beat me in upper state for the first mile of the race, which was hard for me to hold back for so long, and then passed them after going through the first mile mark. Writing my first mile goal time on my hand before the race helped me to run my first mile smart so that I did not go out too hard. On the second mile I knew I had to push hard because it is where I usually slow down in a race and I did not want to do that. On the third mile I just ran with my heart. For some reason, I thought I could feel the Emerald girl (Stephanie Whitmire) breathing down my neck, and I sped up because I was determined not to let anyone pass me. At mile marker three I could just feel the finish line and I wanted to finish really strong. Coming down the finish line I was overwhelmed by the many emotions that were washing over me. The realization of what had just happened was starting to hit me at that point and I began crying before I crossed the finish line and did not stop crying for quite some time after that. I was astounded because it was a dream come true for me!
scrunners: Did you achieve what you wanted? Explain.
mcclellion: Yes, I achieved exactly what I wanted to. I ran my first mile smart and let my heart lead me the rest of the way, which helped me to win the individual state title in the A-AA girls division. I was able to get a new lifetime personal record of 19:46, which was awesome because my goal was to break a 20. Also, I made my family, my team, my coach, and myself proud!
scrunners: Do your team achieve their goals?
mcclellion: No, we were shooting for a first place finish at state, but we took home a runner-up trophy and medals. It was an accomplishment for our team, though, because the girls cross country team at Palmetto had never taken home a second place finish at state. The best we had ever placed was fifth.
scrunners: At the starting line, what were you thinking and feeling?
mcclellion: I was extremely excited and hyper, and I could not wait for the race to start. My mind was racing so fast that I could hardly think at all!
scrunners: Did your team do something the night before to stay motivated?
mcclellion: Yes, we all had a team meeting in one of our rooms at the hotel. We had devotions, read bible verses, gave inspirational word to one another, and shared with each other silly things about ourselves that no one would know. It was a good time for us to bond and put ourselves in good spirits for the big day.
scrunners: Over the season, what kind of training did you undergo, in preparation for state?
mcclellion: We did a lot of hill workouts, tempo runs, long runs, mile repeats, trail running, 800-meter repeats, 500-meter repeats, 300-meter repeats, easy 30-minute runs, and played games such as Gator Ball, Ultimate Frisbee, and Frisbee Golf to bond as a team.
scrunners: Are you running other cross country meets now that the season? If so, please list.
mcclellion: Yes, I am going to run the Foot Locker race in Charlotte.
scrunners: At an overall view, what did you think of the state meet and its competition?
mcclellion: I love the course at the state meet. It has actually been my favorite since last year. The competition was exactly what I had expected it would be. All the competition for me was from upper state and my team's competition was Bishop England from lower state, which we had known all season long that they were going to be our biggest competition.
scrunners: What kind of improvement have you seen in the sport over the years?
mcclellion: Every year someone new steps up and gives everyone competition. Over the years I have seen that the girls in Class AA/A get faster and more competitive.
scrunners: Following the state meet, does your team celebrate? Explain.
mcclellion: Yes, we celebrated because we ended a fantastic season, the best Palmetto girls have ever known. We went out to eat at a nice restaurant and we hung out with our coach. We are also going to have a team banquet on Dec. 4 to celebrate our season.
scrunners: On the Sandhills course, where is the most challenging location? Explain.
mcclellion: The hill is the most challenging because you have to run up it during the second mile and it is right before the two mile marker heading into the third mile. Not to mention, the second mile is the hardest part of the race and after going up the hill, it takes a couple of minutes for your legs to recuperate.
scrunners: How much rest do you take after cross country?
mcclellion: I rest for a couple of weeks.
scrunners: Is this an active rest?
mcclellion: Yes. I run easy a few days each week.
scrunners: Are you running track?
mcclellion: Yes.
scrunners: What events are you thinking to run?
mcclellion: I am going to run the two-mile, the 4x800-meter relay, and the 4x400-meter relay.
scrunners: What event has been your favorite in the past? Why?
mcclellion: My favorite has been the two-mile because I enjoy the longer distances more than I do the shorter distances.
scrunners: Who has been your biggest individual and team competitor all season?
mcclellion: My biggest individual competitor has been Katie Quarles because before the state meet I had been running times around 20:30 and she was not too far behind me and would push me during a race. The team's biggest competitor all season has been Pendleton because they were the only team in our region that had ever beaten us or that could even come close to beating us.
scrunners: When did you start to run?
mcclellion: I started running halfway through the cross country season when I was in the seventh grade.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race?
mcclellion: Yes. My first race was on my home course and I remember being really nervous. I actually got lost when I was running through the woods and got scraped up all over by a bunch of briars.
scrunners: Does or did anyone else in your family run? If so, where and when?
mcclellion: No, I am the first in my family to ever run.
scrunners: What kind of training did you undergo over the summer? mcclellion: We did a lot of long runs in order to get in a good bit of mileage. We also did a lot of strides and agilities to work on our running form.
scrunners: Did you attend a running camp, if so which one?
mcclellion: Yes. I attended FIRST Running Camp at Furman University.
scrunners: What did you learn at the camp?
mcclellion: I learned how to change my running form so that I would be a more efficient runner. I also learned a lot of stretches and agilities that would help me prepare my body for a hard workout, how to prepare myself psychologically to run, and how to get the proper nutrition a runner needs.
scrunners: What meet has been the most challenging this year? Explain.
mcclellion: Upper state was the most challenging for me this year because the hills, the mud, and the heat made it extremely difficult. Not to mention, the ground was very unlevel.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? Explain.
mcclellion: No, I have never been injured because I have always taken care of my body to the best of my ability.
scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door on a daily basis for life and athletics?
mcclellion: Knowing that God has blessed me and just simply living and being around the ones I love helps to keep me motivated for life on a daily basis and for athletics. Not to mention, I just have an incredible passion for cross country!
scrunners: What would you consider your most challenging race? How did you fare in this event? Explain.
mcclellion: I would have to say that upper state this year has been my most challenging race. I struggled throughout the entire race because I went out too fast in my first mile and lead the race, but I was passed shortly after the first mile marker. I barely managed to keep my fourth place finish after pushing through the pain for the last two miles of the race.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
mcclellion: I look for a coach to push me to the max and give me inspiration daily. I want a coach who cares for each individual on their team and expects nothing less than the best from each person. I expect my coach to look for the passion, determination, and drive that I have, as well as my strengths and my weaknesses in order to help me reach my maximum potential.
scrunners: Are you looking to compete in college athletics? Why?
mcclellion: Yes, I will definitely compete in college athletics. I have grown to love cross country so much and I am so passionate about it that I cannot even imagine my life without cross country in it. It is a blessing that God has given me and I am not going to waste the talent that He has given me. I want to inspire others by my will to do this sport and the passion that I have for it. I hope that by my example it will be encouraging to others.
scrunners: What or whom gave you and the Palmetto team the idea to go support your coach in the Spinx Run Fest half-marathon the day after Upper State?
mcclellion: Our coach's boyfriend, Mark, gave my team and I the idea to go and support her at her half-marathon.
scrunners: Do you think you will ever coach the sports? If so, why and what level?
mcclellion: Yes. I hope that I will get the opportunity to coach cross country. I would like to because I want to help young athletes push themselves and achieve whatever goals they may have and become better individuals by doing so. I want them to be a part of something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. I want to coach at the high school level in order to prepare young athletes who plan to further their running career for a more competitive college experience.
scrunners: How does your training vary from one season to the other?
mcclellion: It is mostly the same, but we may have one or two new workouts that we add to our training each season.
scrunners: Have you ever met a profession athlete?
mcclellion: No, I have not.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
mcclellion: I would rid the world of child abuse and hunger. I would also show everyone that they truly are loved and that they really do matter. Then maybe people would learn to love and respect themselves in return. I would do this because the world is full of so many evil things and every little bit of good helps. Everyone deserves to be happy and no one deserves to suffer, which is the main reason that I would do this.