Growing to 6’2” by her sophomore year of high school made Allie an easy pick for the volleyball coaches. As a standout Arkansas 7A All-State volleyball player, two-time MVP, and Arkansas All-Star Team selection, running wasn’t even on her radar. She continued her volleyball career at Graceland University, where she started all four years, earned many acolades, and served as team captain. It was also at Graceland where her passion for coaching began, stepping into the role of junior varsity men's volleyball coach.

After graduation, Allie returned to her alma mater to begin her teaching and coaching career, leading both high school and travel volleyball teams. During this time, she started to look for new athletic goals of her own… and that’s when her love for running began.

She trained for and ran her first half marathon during student teaching, and completed her first full marathon just a year and a half later. (Fun fact: she married her husband, Justin, during this time so he was at least somewhat aware of the “crazy” before saying “I do.”)

Over the years, Allie developed a deep respect for the sport of running and the incredible community that surrounds it. After years of running solo, she joined the Bentonville Half Marathon training group and finally found her people. Together, they formed a group called The Wolfpack. What began as a small accountability crew of 6–8 runners grew into a community of over 250 members that now hosts four weekly group runs open to the public. The Wolfpack has become a second family of runners of all ages, abilities, goals, and paces.

Allie is a firm believer that running is for everyone. If you run, you’re a runner. No pace, no distance requirement. This inclusivity is one of the things she loves most about coaching. That, and the fact that she gets to fully lean into her love for the science (and math!) behind training plans—nerd side proudly included.

Her favorite running memory? That would be qualifying for the Boston Marathon at the Des Moines Marathon in October 2021. Running down the finish chute with the crowd cheering and screaming for her to sprint to a BQ was a moment she’ll never forget. The announcer, the energy, and her friends and family jumping and shouting at the finish line… it was a true core memory. She went on to run the Boston Marathon the following spring… while pregnant with her daughter, Ember.