Running to Support Dairy and Beef

Fast-forward a few years to when Ashley entered law school. To help relieve stress from her pursuit of a law degree, she started to lace up her running shoes and hit the streets. She ran her first competitive 5K in December of 2012. She has big plans as she continues log the miles, with the goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon and run a half marathon in each of the 50 states. Her passion for cattle, remains. Ashley is a member of the Northeast Team Beef program, coordinated by the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative and funded by beef farmers and ranchers through the Beef Checkoff Program.

Ashley comments, “From distance running to eating a well-balanced diet, beef plays an important role in my diet as a recovery source of lean protein. Growing up on a dairy farm, I was accustomed to weekly dinners that featured beef as the main dish. As I attended college and later entered the work force, I incorporated beef into my diet to provide energy, lean protein, and iron. Once I got into distance running and fitness, I quickly learned the importance of good nutrition to improve my performance and beef has helped me to achieve that.” Reminiscing about a memorable race encounter, Ashley shared, “As I lined up for a race, I looked beside me and saw a runner wearing a “Team Vegan” shirt. While our views are different, we were able to engage in thoughtful conversation and ultimately, inform each other about the industries and lifestyles we support.”

Learn more about the other members of the Northeast Team Beef program by viewing the member library.

For more information, visit NEBPI.org or BeefBoard.org.