Setting Running Goals with the Wyoming Valley Striders

Set a Goal. Meet That Goal. Set Another.

That’s exactly what 25-year-old Wyoming Valley Striders member Ashley Becker from Hanover Twp. has been doing on her running journey.

We recently caught up with her to hear how things are going as she works toward this year’s race goal.

“I’m not a runner and never really liked running in the first place,” Ashley jokes. But she always had one quiet goal in the back of her mind: to run a mile without stopping.

That spark got stronger when her fiancé Stephen, a longtime runner, encouraged her to start training for the Rocky Run 5K in Philadelphia. The race took place in November 2023, and with Stephen stepping in as her official coach, Ashley met that goal during her 5K training.

Ashley admits she fell off the running train due to her master’s classes and wedding planning. But then the train came calling again in February of this year and it was time to set a new goal.

Stephen suggested training for the Wyoming Valley Striders 20K Run on November 9, 2025. When we asked her why a 20K instead of a half marathon, she laughed and said, “Because Stephen was afraid I’d say no with ‘marathon’ in the title.”

At first, it didn’t really sink with her just how many miles a 20K actually is. It wasn’t until a few months into training that Ashley realized it’s only 0.7 miles short of a half marathon. “I had a total new-runner mindset—I didn’t even make the connection,” she admits. “But by then, I was already committed.”

Have a Training Plan

One key to staying consistent and building confidence? Having a plan—and a partner is an extra bonus. Ashley credits much of her recent training success to Stephen, who’s been running since 5th grade and now helps map out her weekly training schedule which has included a walk-run approach. She revealed that it’s way less daunting than trying to run the whole time.

The levee in Hanover Twp. is just one of the many areas you can train in NEPA.

Though running is often considered a solo sport, Ashley emphasizes the teamwork behind her progress. “It’s hard for me to get motivated and run completely on my own. Stephen’s support has been everything,” she says. “He meets me at different points during my training runs to hand me water or offer words of encouragement. That kind of support is huge and it keeps me going.”

Local Races Can Help with Training

If a local race lines up with your training schedule, it’s a great way to get a feel for race-day energy and pacing. That’s exactly what Ashley did in April when she ran the Scranton 5K—the day before the Scranton Half Marathon. It was the perfect chance to check in on her progress and see where she stood in her training.

Stephen and Ashley at the 2025 Scranton 5K.

Mental Game

Staying motivated isn’t always easy, especially on the tough days or when the weather’s bad. For Ashley, it often comes down to one simple rule: just get your clothes on.

“Once I’m dressed, I’ll go. And I always take our dog Koda with me. She loves it and it benefits both of us.”

Ashley and her training partner Koda get soaked during a hills workout.

Having a weekly mileage goal helps keep her on track, but she allows flexibility in how she gets there—switching up the routes or adding in hills to keep things interesting.

And the progress is real: “I started out doing walk-run intervals at a 15 to 16-minute pace. Now I’m around a 12:15. That’s a big deal for me.”

Cross Training

Ashley mixes in cross training with her running—usually stationary biking or swimming at the gym, depending on the day. With a calendar full of weddings and showers, flexibility is key.

“I usually run in the mornings or evenings, and fit in cross training around midday when I can. The only real consistency is how many miles I need to hit each week. How I get there is up to me—but the long run always stays locked in.”