Meet Ironman 70.3 Boulder Race Director Ashlie Nalls

By Bill Plock
Most of us can probably point to an “ah ha” moment in our lives that inspired us to take action on a life changing course. Maybe it was the moment you did your first triathlon or witnessed an event that caused you to choose a certain career. In the case Ashlie Nalls, maybe it was both?
Ashlie is the new (but not so new) race director of the Boulder Ironman 70.3. Her moment came in 2005 when Jon Blais (a.k.a Blazeman) log-rolled across the finish line at Kona becoming the first person to ever start and complete the Ironman Championship diagnosed with ALS. “I remember watching and thinking this isn’t a brand (Ironman), this is a life changer–to cross one of our finish lines can change lives,” Ashlie recalls.
Watching this on television before she started her career with Ironman, she saw how powerful and life changing racing could be and she wanted to be a part of it. Living in Florida, an athlete herself, Ashlie found an opportunity as intern with Ironman not long after graduating from the University of South Florida–where she studied interior design and marketing. Maybe that explains the lovely lamp on her desk at headquarters?

She loved to race and saw a way to make a positive impact on people’s lives and has never looked back after joining Ironman as a marketing intern in 2008. Her first race directing experience was at the Boulder Peak after Ironman purchased the race in 2013. And now with the 70.3 she plans give it “a lot of gusto” and make it memorable, giving it as much of her personal touch as possible–she likes actual paper thank you notes, meeting people in person, being available and being positive and personable.
Asked what makes her love race directing and why she excels and she will tell you it’s because she is “freakishly organized” and she accepts the pressure of, “it’s on you and it’s your baby” that comes with a race. When asked what goes through her mind 10 seconds before the horn blows, she said, “I have to trust that I have put everything into it that I could.” She added, “once everyone clears the swim it’s downhill from there. We want to make sure everyone made it safely out of the water, then I trust all the meetings beforehand with the state patrol, sheriffs, city officials and most importantly, the volunteers, will make the rest race go well.”
Ashlie Nalls’ organizational gusto is impressive, with one after another “almost embarrassing” list filling her paper day-timer. She is driven by her love of triathlon to deliver the best possible experience for the athlete. She loves logistics and making sure every detail is accountable. As a triathlete herself, she feels she has a good idea of what the athlete is going through and is empathetic to those who are intimidated and new to the sport.
As just a one of a handful of female race directors nationwide, Ashlie is excited to help foster “Women for Tri” initiative to encourage more women to participate at an entry point for triathlons. Lifetime’s Boulder Peak and the Boulder 70.3 and the full Ironman in Boulder, will have women group activities and training opportunities to help women feel more confident with these races. A “ladies lounge” and other special amenities will be available. The final goal is to have Ironman Boulder achieve the highest percentage of women athletes of any Ironman in the country (currently it is Ironman Chattanooga at 31 percent).
Everyone is welcome on Wednesday, April 27th at Colorado Multisport at 5pm to meet Ashlie as she launches the Boulder 70.3by announcing many course changes.
Jon “Blazeman” Blais

Article: Women For Tri Lights Up the Night in Boulder