​Ten Years of Awesome
By: Stephanie Geraghty
January 1, 2021

Happy New Year, Stroller Warriors! Many of you may not remember me at this point. So allow me introduce myself. My name is Steph and I get the super cool title of Stroller Warriors founder and retired CEO. I officially retired almost 3 full years ago but still dabble in a couple behind-the-scenes things and LOVE to see what the Warriors are up to. I have to say, I am so amazed and proud that the club still stands and is quite frankly, flourishing. Well done, team. I am overjoyed and so grateful that you’ve carried on the torch. It means a lot.
 
To many of you, it might seem like the club has been around forever, but believe it or not, we’ve only been in existence for 10 short years. In some ways, those ten years flew by in a second because I still remember the early days vividly. One decade ago, I had an idea that maybe a military spouse running club would be fun. Maybe I could make some friends. Maybe my kids could make some friends. And maybe, just maybe, I could survive my first deployment as a mother.
 
There were only 3 of us on that chilly Tuesday morning in North Carolina. It was January 19th, 2010, to be exact, and why I thought it was a good idea to launch a club in a cold winter month just goes to show how excited I was about the idea! That morning, we plodded down the path with our kids bundled under blankets in the strollers. The three of us congregated at our cars afterwards, excitedly talking about how fun this was and how we will do it again. So I hosted another workout that very next Tuesday. A couple more people showed up. And the week after that…and the week after that! It was working! I didn’t take any photographs the first couple months because I didn’t even really grasp what was happening and what this would be. But the images are clear in my head. Every time I saw another vehicle pull into the parking lot, the strollers heaved out of trunks, and little ones running around the playground, my heart was full. I WAS having fun. I WAS making friends. And I wasn’t just surviving the deployment. I. Was. Thriving.

​That, my friends, was the beginning of something special, something beyond what I could have ever dreamed. I am not sure how to capture ten years of Stroller Warriors in one short blog, but I’m going to give it a shot. Here’s my “Top 10” of why Stroller Warriors was the best part of my years as a military spouse.
1.  Home. This is number one on my list because home means peace, comfort, and support. We moved to Camp Lejeune in 2009 when our boys were 2 months and 2 ½ years old. That home in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was 1,325 miles from my childhood hometown in Avoca, Iowa. I had never lived that far from my parents. Additionally, it was intimidating to bid farewell to my husband for 6 months and wonder, who can I rely on? Stroller Warriors gave me the village I needed, a home away from home. They supported me and loved me as one of their own family. I won’t deny that in retirement, I’ve had many moments of yearning for my village. It’s slowly developing but not nearly as fast as what a Stroller Warriors chapter achieves. My hat is off to the best village I’ve ever known. There’s nothing else quite like it.
2.  Fun! Laughter keeps us young. Laughter makes life lighter and simpler. There was not a Stroller Warriors workout that did not feed my soul through conversation and laughter. Whether we were laughing about our kids antics or our own antics, dressing up in ridiculous costumes, or making horses pop out of bushes (I’m looking at you, Lou), we always enjoyed our time together. A smile is good for the soul. I was a bit of a sarcastic smart a$$ on our leadership planning pages and for good reason. One, I was the founder and CEO and nobody could fire me. Win, ha! Two, it made me laugh to see their witty responses, which were equally hilarious. I laughed, a lot. Gifs and memes were a stellar add to Facebook and the Warriors used them like seasoned experts. Thanks for all the late nights and good times. You brought me happiness.

​3.  Generosity. The club taught me to look outside my own obstacles and focus on the needs of others. I loved our outreach activities so much that we kept adding more and more. We were busy, but good busy. Even though I’m no longer an active SW, I still stalk the Facebook page and love watching the creative ideas all of the chapters come up with. Serving meals at the USO airport, collecting clothes for families impacted by fire, sending used shoes overseas, or making meals for our own Warriors in need…every act makes a difference and fills your cup. I always felt better when we were giving back. It always felt right. Keep filling.
4.  Inspiration. I watched my fellow Warriors show up even on hard days. I watched them go through tough things but still log those miles, set those goals, run those races, and then set more goals. I never would have even considered running a full marathon or trying a triathlon if it wasn’t for the club. They inspired me to believe in myself because THEY believed in themselves. I followed their example and bowed to the best kind of peer pressure, Stroller Warriors pressure! I still reflect on many of my friends’ achievements and think to myself, “Wow, I want to be awesome like them.” Thank you for the push, Warriors. All of these years later, I’m still watching and being in awe.

5.  Leadership. I thought I knew something about being a leader prior to the club. This club pushed me to grow in ways I never knew possible. My skin toughened and my heart grew. Leading a massive worldwide organization is not easy. You can never make everyone happy. But, obstacles spurred our headquarters team to brainstorm, to play devil’s advocate, and to unite on the best outcomes for the betterment of the whole. I am so much more open-minded because of the club and I still draw on that wisdom and experiences today. Every tear was worth that growth. To the current leadership staff, I understand your trials and I admire your strength. In those tough moments, remember that anything worth having requires a lot of hard work and it is always worth it. The Lord smiles on every good deed. Keep up the important work. You. Are. Awesome! I’ve got to throw a special shoutout here to your CEO and my dear friend, Kelly Mulder. You guys. She’s so amazing and we owe her so much. Do me a favor and randomly drop her a line now and then just to share something you love about the club. That fills her cup and her team’s cup, which trickles down to all the Warriors. strollerwarrior@gmail.com. 😉

6.  Memories. So many of my favorite and most positive memories from those years were wrapped up in the club. Why is that?! Well, probably because the club was so fun, the workouts and events were the only places I wanted to be and where I spent all of my time! But, on a deeper scale, that positivity was how all of the activities were framed. Friendship, family, fitness, and fun all create the perfect formula for great memories. I will never forget the races we traveled to together, the Christmas parties, the PFTS, and the all-around fun. And our kids came to all of it because duh, they were the whole reason! My military spouse memories were full of joy because of the club.

7.  Outlet. The military lifestyle isn’t for the faint of heart. The top stressors a person can experience are wrapped up in this community, ranging from moves, health complications, separations, combat, post-deployment adjustments, life, and death. However, the military lifestyle offers the opportunity for us to take care of ourselves so that we CAN endure those things. Stroller Warriors provided an outlet and helped me focus on my own needs, physical, mental, and spiritual. Word vomit on long run Saturdays was like much needed therapy. We could talk about the weirdest most random things in a couple hours and leave feeling cleansed and uplifted. Thank you for the stories, thank you for listening, thank you for lifting burdens. Now, in these retirement years, I have floundered at times. I realized that I needed to be feeding my soul by purposefully doing things that do make me happy and healthy. I needed to do Stroller Warriory things. So I started biking weekly with 3 girls who became my best friends practically overnight. (Sound familiar?!) I started substitute teaching at the school and volunteering more at the church. I’ve been making meals for people in need just because. I even put on a small local race! I felt like my old self again and was grateful I had the SW example to reference. That self-care has been VERY important this year because frankly, 2020 has been a unique level of, um, sh*t show. But we’re figuring it out and SW has been a huge help with that. 2020 couldn’t knock us down. We handled it and now we’ve got our sights on a great 2021.

8.  Parenting. Being a parent is the most amazing blessing in my life. It’s also my biggest challenge by far! Currently my 13-year-old is trying to see how many gray hairs I can grow. Can I getta amen? Way back when, I really appreciated having the club to help me navigate those ups and downs of being a mom. I watched the other parents and realized, hey, I’m not alone. We all jumped in to help each other out. A weight was lifted. We learned from each other too. If I’ve seen one NRR (non-running related) post, I’ve seen a million, and a good portion of them were about our kids. It was so nice to be able to ask questions in a non-judgmental environment. I would like to think my kids really benefited from the club too, not only in their own little friendships but in me striving to be a better mother to them. They also saw the example of all these other parents getting out and enjoying life to the fullest as a community, and I hope they carry that with them. I want them to be “Stroller Warriors” too, in every way.
9.  Food. Okay, this isn’t the most deep heartfelt list item but I love food and Stroller Warriors love food and geez, we ate a lot of delicious food! Most workouts featured some sort of random treat, or we just made up reasons to bring treats. I don’t think it’s an accident that the long runs on Camp Lejeune commenced and concluded at Dunkin Donuts either! Breaking bread together is another way to feel at home and I always appreciated that. So did my stomach. I remember the most exciting treat I ever shared…gender reveal cupcakes for my daughter. What a special moment  and it was so fitting to share it with Stroller Warriors. They were so genuinely happy for me and shared the journey with me and I will never forget that.

10.  Lifelong friendships. This one sums up the list and comes full circle to how the club changed my life and gave me a home. Without a doubt, some of my very best friends to date are still the Stroller Warriors. We’re all over the world at this point and I don’t see them in person often. But, there is just something about that triple threat as military spouses, as parents, and as runners that secures DEEP friendships very quickly and very forever. They saw me at my best and worst and loved me through it all. I have to share this story because I think it exemplifies how you always carry those kinds of friends with you. Two days before Christmas I woke up and realized I had a dream about an very dear SW friend. We don’t talk often and she doesn’t post to social media, so I don’t stalk her very well! But, our hearts are bonded and when we do get time together, we don’t skip a beat. Anyway, back to the dream…I dreamed that she was pregnant! Eek! I just knew God was nudging me. So I promptly texted her and asked if there was anything I needed to know. She responded that I was creepy and that I no longer needed tickets to the real circus because I could just enjoy hers! I promptly called her and we chatted the next hour about her little one on the way and how life has been with her husband, her other five children, and their awesome hobby farm. She is a prime example of all the dear friends I’ve collected. They’re so special to me, unprecedented really. I love you all and am so grateful you will always be a part of my life. (Please keep sending those Christmas cards! And I’ll keep dreaming about you. Literally. 😊)

As I read this top 10 list and think about what I still see happening in the club, I realize that we’re fundamentally still the same as what we were back then. Same mission, same goals. Yes, this year has been entirely unique with quarantines and restrictions on workouts, club activities, and races due to Covid. You had to find new ways to motivate and connect…and you DID. You rolled with the obstacles just like always and identified ways to unite and overcome. I absolutely loved watching the virtual events, the scavenger hunts, and the online chatter. You did not let this deter you from meeting your mission and supporting each other in every way that you could. You ARE changing lives of people like me, who will move on eventually but always carry the club in their hearts. Forever changed. Forever grateful.
 
Happy 10-Year-Runniversary Stroller Warriors. In short, you will always have my heart. I’m very proud I got to be a part of this in the first 10 years.

(I must apologize that this got so long. Thanks for hanging in there. Those of you that know me are not surprised by my verbose blog. Some things truly do never change. 😉 )
Happy Running from your retired founder and CEO and biggest fan,
Steph

Our Fearless Founder, Stephanie Geraghty, started a yearly tradition of looking back at the numbers our Fearless Leaders (also known as Chapter Coordinators) have been keeping track of all year. This is a way for us to try to quantify the work of our world-wide team. It is hard to capture the awesomeness our leaders are doing on the chapter level, but I’m certainly going to try! 

So, without further ado, I present to you SW by the numbers for 2019! 


184,325 Total miles ran by our team through the Runopoly Mileage Incentive Campaign!

• 18,155 Dollars raised for charities around the world
• 6,699 Items donated to charities around the world 
• 1,574 Members actively attending workouts 
• 811 Hours of time donated 
• 416 Toys donated to Toys for Tots
• 379 Runopoly participants 
• 370 Mini Miles participants
• 356 Couch 2 5K Gradates 
• 243 Leadership (not including coordinators ) at year end
• 102 Meal trains provided
• 102 Coordinators 
• 78  Couch 2 Crazy Graduates 
• 76 Races or streaking/bingo events hosted by our chapters 
• 51 Couch to 5K Sessions  
• 43 B210K Graduates
• 35 Causes for dedication runs 
• 30 Chapters gave back to their fellow Stroller Warriors; prizes, race entries, gift of Garmin, gift of BOB, etc.
• 19 Relay Races ran as a team
• 12 Gifts of BOB
• 10 Chapters have stroller loaner programs where they lend strollers to those PCSing or in need  of a stroller to participate in a workout. 
• 8 Global staff members
• 6 B210K Sessions
• 5 Awards given to chapters 
• 1 New chapter founded in 2019

As you can tell, Stroller Warriors around the world have been working hard to make our world a better place. As I looked over the numbers, a few special efforts by our teammates jumped out at me and I wanted to take a minute to highlight them. 

When the government had a partial shut-down and families were without paychecks, the Stroller Warriors of Pearl Harbor donated 400 items of assorted food and household goods to the Coast Guard Spouse Association. They worked together to support a need they saw in their community. 

The Stroller Warriors of Yorktown saw a very different need in their community — SW members collaborated with Operation Deploy Your Dress and collected formal dresses and jewelry items. Together they rallied and donated 42 dresses! We are sure that many military spouses felt beautiful and special as a result of their kind donations to Operation Deploy Your Dress. 

Seventeen chapters joined in on the global event supporting the Toys for Tots. Together Stroller Warriors from around the world  donated 416 toys to Toys for Tots.  Thank you Stroller Warriors from Iwakuni, Okinawa, Parris Island, Scott, Lackland, Fort Benning, Hurlburt Field, Oak Harbor, Cherry Point, Quantico, Fort Belvoir, Keesler, Elsewhere, Yorktown, Virginia, 29 Palms and Camp Pendleton for brightening Christmas Day for so many children.

The USO, United Services Organization, has long been supportive of military families. At bases and airports around the world there are USOs in place to strengthen America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country. Stroller Warriors are routinely active with their local USO branch. The Stroller Warriors of Pearl Harbor donated 428 items of assorted individually packed food items donated for USO JBPHH. The Stroller Warriors from Pensacola donated 25 pounds of food to their local USO. The Stroller Warriors of Keesler donated 198 snack items donated to USO. The Stroller Warriors of Quantico donated $210 in gas gift cards to the Metro USO. The Stroller Warriors of Oak Harbor donated 10lbs of snacks to the USO. Stroller Warriors Hurlburt Field donated 65 items to the USO, and the Stroller Warriors of Yokosuka volunteered man hours at two different USOs. Stroller Warriors around the world are working hard to make the world a better place!

Below you will find a list of organizations to which Stroller Warriors donated — either through donated items, man hours or direct monetary contribution . These organizations are presented in no particular order. Every single one touched our hearts in a special way. We are honored to help these groups  achieve their mission just as they help us achieve ours.

In 2019 we were proud to support these incredible charities through donations of funds, supplies and time:

• A-T Children’s Project
• Boot Memorial Hero
• Cure SMA
• HelpOki
• Hope for the Warriors
• Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness
• KaBoom!
• LBSL
• Make a Wish
• MUSC Toy Cart
• Pierce Family Road to Recovery
• Semper Fi Fund
• Toys for Tots
• USO
• Wreaths Across America

As a running club, WE RUN! Running is proven to release endorphins and to relieve stress. But running is so much more; you can run for a cause and help great organizations. You can educate and inform others and bring these causes into the limelight. Together, as a team, we ran in honor of the following causes: 

We ran in honor of these causes:

• "Purple Up!" Month of the Military Child
• 4th July Red, White and Blue Run
• 9/11 Remembrance
• A-T Children’s Project
• Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer Awareness
• Childhood Cancer Awareness 
• Cure SMA/Bravery for Cole Dedication Run
• Dedicated workout for the victims of the Virginia Beach shooting
• Esophageal Cancer Awareness
• Flag Day
• Hope for the Warriors
• KaBoom! Dedication Run
• LBSL/Madison Voight
• Lung Health Dedication Run 
• Memorial Day MURPH 
• Memorial Day Wear Blue to honor the fallen and veterans
• Mental Health Awareness Month Dedication Run 
• Mental Health Awareness Run
• Military Kid Dedication Run
• Military Spouse Appreciation
• Plogging workouts
• Run for Cole Dedication Run, September 13, 2019
• Run for Stephanie
• Team Ashlynn Dedication Run
• Toys for Tots Dedication Run
• USMC 244th Birthday
• USO Dedication Run
• Wear Blue 9/11 Run 
• Wear Blue: Run to Remember
• Wear Purple for Epilepsy Awareness
• Workouts to Everett
• World Down Syndrome Day

We ran in the following Relay Races/Events as a TEAM: 

• Big Sur Marathon Relay
• Hilton Head Island Marathon Relay
• Hoku Relay
• Honolulu Ekiden
• Iwakuni Friendship Relay
• Ragnar Chase the Moon 
• Ragnar DC Sunset
• Ragnar So CAL Trail Relay
• Ragnar Sunset 
• Ragnar Triple Peak Challenge
• Ragnar Wattenmeer
• Round the Bay Relay 
• SW 31 mile Relay for the Semper Fi Fund
• Trail, Tread, and Track Relay race
• Viking Challenge (24 hour Relay for Fisher House)
• Wolfson Children's Challenge 55K Relay
  
• Yokohama North Dock Relay

We could not do all of the things we do for our community and for the world without the support of others. We want to extend a big THANK YOU to these organizations, businesses, and individuals for their support:

• 56 Civil Engineering Squadron
• Army MWR
• Biloxi Visitor's Center
• BOCO
• Chick Fil A, Hanover Maryland
• Coast to Coast Sugar Cookies
  
• Coastal Carolina Designs - Especially Toni!
• Face First
• Fisher House
• Fleet Feet Monterey
• Fleet Feet San Diego
• Fort Belvoir MWR - Graves Fitness Center
• Girls on the Run - Bexar County
  
• Glass House in the Forest - Glass Medal Maker - Mr. Shimazu
• Grounded Running 
• Gulf Coast Half Marathon
• Hawaii Running Lab
• J&A Racing 
• Katie's Coldpress Juice
• Keesler Airman & Family Readiness Center
• Keesler Youth Center
• Kroc Center
• Lachmanns
• Little Herb Girl, Inc.
• Lululemon Monterey
• MCAS Beaufort MCFTB
• Meg Barge Photography
• Oahu Spine and Rehab 
• Peggy McLenagan of Wake Village Community Center (Atlantic MCC)
• Pensacola Sports
• Ramblas Run
• Revival Ice Cream 
• Run With It (Fort Walton Beach)
• Screenprint Designs, LLC 
• Seaside School
• Semper Fi Fund
• The Back Porch
• The Mermaid Series
• The RAF Mildenhall Gym 
• The Treadmill
• UltraGraphic - Local Screen print company in Okinawa, Japan
  
• USO
  
• USO of South Carolina

***With so many chapters and events going on year-round worldwide, it's quite possible we may have missed a name or two. We apologize in advance, and please feel free to comment and add to our list as needed!***

We have a few more important thank yous to extend...

Our service members: We are able to be as awesome as we are because of the support of our spouses! They build us up, help us to believe in ourselves, and allow us to invest in each other. Their support enables us to make our families stronger, teach our kids about fitness and friendship, and make the world a better place!

Our military installation personnel/leadership: We commend our military installations for embracing our presence and building and maintaining trails and play equipment. We are extremely grateful for local and affordable opportunities to compete in the base-sponsored races. We also love seeing the addition of stroller divisions! We hope our relationship with these military installations continues to grow and deepen for years to come.

Our Fearless Leaders and Volunteer Staff: You are the heart of this organization. You give more hours than our members will ever know and you do it with joy. Your role is not without challenges and sometimes even tears. You weather the ups and downs with strength and grace. You dream big and keep working to make our SW villages even better, even stronger. Keep being fearless. THIS IS WHY.

Our Headquarters Team and Global Staff: These women are the unsung heroes behind the scenes who literally run the club on a global scale.  HQ establishes and upholds our club guidelines so we can continue to meet the mission we hold so dear. They hire and mentor coordination staff and provide ongoing guidance and support. They oversee chapter activity and provide feedback. When needed, they handle the hard stuff and they do so with professionalism and kindness. They often balance their HQ duties with roles at their respective chapters. They receive very little reward or recognition aside from the personal satisfaction of knowing they're making a positive difference in the world. Oh, and they also make sure they have fun doing it! 

2019 was an exciting year for sure for the Stroller Warriors team! Thanks so much for taking the time to recap 2019 with us!

Happy Running! 
Kelly

The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) has always been “The people’s marathon,” but this year it is even more so due to its virtual nature. Anyone and everyone is able to register and run this year- there wasn’t a lottery, nor a 1775 race qualifier completion. Stroller Warriors from all over the globe have risen to this virtual challenge. In true Stroller Warrior fashion, my friends motivated and encouraged me to join in on the “fun.” The race medal is the cherry on top.  This year’s race medal contains black sand from Iwo Jima. How could I pass this up? 

So here I am on the other side of the world in Okinawa, Japan, roughly 7,600 miles away from Washington, D.C., and training for the MCM Virtual. This will be my fourth Marine Corps Marathon (I’m well on my way to the 5 MCMs required for the runners Club! A lifetime goal I have for myself). I find it ironic that while it is still “The people’s marathon,” due to the COVID restrictions, many, if not all of us, have been training solo and will also be racing solo. My friends who convinced me to run this race are stationed in Hawaii and Virginia- not exactly a hop skip and a jump away. For many of us, we will need to dig deep and find our mental resolve on race day.  There will not be aid stations every few miles, cheering crowds, friends to look for at specific mile markers, hilarious signs that remind us to laugh and keep trucking on, and no fancy photo finish.  It will just be us, the pavement and our steely determination.

I recently ran my first 20 miles solo. I have been a runner for 10 years and have 13 marathons/ultras under my belt. This is the first time in 10 years I’ve ever had to complete a 20 mile solo training run. In the past, I always had Stroller Warriors by my side. Yes, I really have been a Stroller Warrior for a decade! This specific training run was mentally and physically tough, but I persevered and finished! I convinced myself to run even when I wanted to walk. I convinced myself to keep going even when no one was around to watch me. I felt incredible for having finished this solo-accomplishment. I wasn’t fast, but I had battled my inner demons and I had WON. 

This year, I know that Stroller Warriors and fellow runners all over the world are facing the same inner demons. The little voice in your head that tells you “UGH, just stop.” The voice that says, “No one will know.” The temptation to go back to sleep or call someone early for a ride home. I think this year of 2020, there has been an insane number of excuses to not get up and run-  kids need help with their schooling, I’m in ROM (Restriction of Movement), I have to go to work, I have to do EVERYTHING now, plus more! 

This race may not look the way we want it to, we may not get the time we wanted, but we will put one foot in front of the other and complete this race knowing that we can accomplish hard things. This year has tested us a lot. It has forced us to slow down. It has flipped our world upside down. It has even changed the way we run and possibly changed how often we get to run.

Life isn’t perfect. I think 2020 has taught us all that. Yet, even in the midst of hardship, even in the midst of anxiety, and maybe even tears, there is an opportunity for growth.  When you put one foot in front of the other, especially when you are feeling unsure, that’s when you are able to dip deep, find your inner strength and persevere. With hardship comes a sweeter reward when you come out the other side victorious. 

This likely has not been a perfect training cycle for any of us. WE ARE HUMAN. We stumble and fall. We trip along the way. But must remember that we are military spouses, we are runners, we are Stroller Warriors!. We’ve been adapting and overcoming since day one. 

MCM 50kers, Marathoners, 10Kers, as you lace up your shoes and set out to accomplish your race distance be sure to listen for me in your head! I’ll be cheering for you! So get out there, if only to show yourself and 2020 how incredible you are! 

As they say in Japan, Ganbatte! (Do your best!)

Happy Running!
Kelly

The fun thing about running is that there is no shortage of running goals one can achieve. If you’re like me, your running career can start out innocently enough. The 5ks and mud runs first drew me in, then I set my sights on a marathon. With each marathon training run, I achieved a new distance - 10k, a half marathon, longest run ever, reaching the 20 mile marker, and finally the big 26.2!. For me reaching goals pushes me harder to reach the next goal.  Before I knew it I was reaching for my biggest goal yet: an ultra marathon. 

Ultra marathon training went surprisingly well, especially since I was battling both an achilles and knee injury while training. Pool running and Physical Therapy were my saving graces.  I was able to maintain optimal fitness for my race while letting my body heal. I achieved my goal and had a great first ultra marathon experience and finish. After the race, I had a 7-day runners high - I was elated for completing such a feat that my running friend convinced me to sign up for another ultra a month away.  My friend and I thought the second ultra would be easier than the first. The trail for the race wasn’t as technical and it was in our own backyard. This meant more sleeping time prior to the start. Or so I thought!

Leading up to my ultra,  I wasn’t feeling well. I had  an awful sinus headache and pain, but pushed the home remedies and persevered. On the eve of the race, I wasn’t feeling well; but I have NEVER backed out of a race and couldn’t bring myself to throw in the towel before the race even started. 

Race morning I woke up and snuck off with my friends to race. My 1 year-old wasn’t awake so I skipped our morning nursing session and jumped in the car with my friends. At the start, it was cold and I wasn’t feeling well but made the call to run regardless of my sinus pain.

I didn’t feel like myself the whole race, but at the 10 mile marker I knew I was in trouble. I felt semi delirious and had pain with every step. Despite the pain, I kept running in hopes the pain would even out or go away… but it didn’t. Where was my pain you ask? In my breast. Skipping the morning nursing session was a horrible idea and I knew from my symptoms and from previous experiences that I was developing mastitis. At mile 14 I called my husband in a panic and asked him to come to the next aid station at mile 26… I needed to nurse the baby. My friend and I trucked on as best we could. We rolled into the 26 mile aid station and I was so excited and thankful to see my husband with the baby! But unfortunately for me my daughter was not interested in nursing AT ALL. I tried nursing again and again. After several minutes I gave up and set her free. My husband could tell I didn’t feel well and urged me to quit. The thought of not finishing what I started ate at my soul and I assured him I’d be fine. 

At mile 27 my friend suggested I step off the trail and hand express milk to get a bit of relief.  At that point, I only wanted to get to the finish line that was 5 miles away. I was so delirious I hardly remember the rest of course. I have one memory of seeing the down hill stretched in front of us and telling my friend I’d rather roll down it. I love downhill running! It’s one of the times I feel most free and light, so not wanting to run a down hill is definitely not me! She laughed and encouraged me to roll. So I laid down on the trail and rolled down the hill.  I learned why that wasn’t a good idea in the deserts of California… I got a million prickly hitchhikers on my clothes and had to pick them off for the rest of the race. If you watch the video below, you'll notice I am using my elbows to protect my chest as I roll down the hill. Extra pain? No thank you! 

​At some point I couldn’t run anymore and encouraged my friend to forge ahead without me. I walked the most I’ve ever walked in a race and cried from the pain as I walked. I finished the race, cleaned up and went to the doctor. I was told that not only did I have mastitis, I had a sinus infection as well! It was a rough recovery, but I’m so thankful for modern medicine and the ability to heal. 

This ultra marathon taught me that I can gut out a 5k if I’m not feeling well. I even can gut out a 10k. However, it is NOT recommended to gut out a 50k! This race taught me when to listen to my body. If I could have a re-do I would have stayed in bed and nursed my baby rather than gone for a 50k race!

Have you had a race teach you a lesson? If so, tell us about it! 

I’ve successfully nursed four children now and have nursed my way through many a training season for races ranging from the 5k and triathlon to the ultra marathon. This is my personal account and my personal suggestions for a successful nursing while training season. As always talk with you doctor and make personal decisions for yourself and your family.

1. Hydrate! Hydration is so important for your body to be able to perform optimally both for running and for nursing. Don’t just drink water, remember to replace the electrolytes and sodium you lose through running as well.

​2. Don’t just hydrate well, fuel yourself well too. You need to have fuel in the tank to be burning the candle on both ends. With adequate hydration and nutrition, your milk supply should be perfectly fine. If you notice a decrease in your supply, take a look at your nutrition/hydration and talk to your doctor. 

3. On long run days, nurse or pump before you have to leave. Wake up a little bit earlier and dream feed or nurse before you go. Heading out empty will decrease your risk of developing mastitis or a clogged duct. 

4. Take your children with you when/if you can. Over the years my children have come to love the stroller. When my husband and I wanted to both train for the same ultra, and we also had 3 children under the age of 5 we decided to take them with us. We’d leave for a run as a family and whenever the baby wanted to nurse we’d all stop on the trail and rehydrate together. Nursing pit stops are totally okay. Pause your watch and relax knowing you’re still burning calories, even while sitting!​

​​5. You can also plan nursing stops. If you know baby needs to eat every three hours, figure out where you will be in three hours and have your spouse meet you for a nursing break. I have found the RunGo app to be incredibly useful for this purpose. I can plan a route and then share my route with others so they can drive along it to catch up to me, wherever I am.

6. Don’t nurse with compression on your breast. Make sure your breasts are not compressed while you nurse! Compression could prevent your breast from fully emptying of milk and risk clogged ducts or mastitis. 
​
7. My favorite nursing sports bra is the moving comfort Juno bra but really anything with velcro on the front straps will do. I love that I can adjust the velcro to how full I am at that moment in time and also that I can disconnect the strap entirely and pull down the bra to nurse without compressing anything. I've heard of other mothers lifting up their bras to nurse. With this strategy you're likely compressing your underarm or breast and making yourself more likely to have clogged ducts or mastitis. 

I have raced as a nursing mother for many, many years and only once had a problem and honesty it was my fault. I was sick to begin with and raced my 50k anyway and didn’t nurse the baby before I headed out. I learned my lesson and never had that happen again! 

I know numerous Stroller Warriors who have successfully nursed through half marathons, full marathons and ultra marathons. My friend Sarah from North Carolina ran the Marine Corps Marathon with a 3 month-old! She had her parents staged at the 13 mile-mark and stepped off the course to nurse before continuing on, nursing again at the finish line. Not all of us have to be like Sarah, but it can be comforting to know that others have gone before you and found ways to be successful.

When there is a will, there is a way, so give yourself and your baby some grace and do your best. Don't be afraid to reach out to your fellow Stroller Warriors for advice and support. Chances are someone else has been there done that and would be happy to share their story. 

Happy Running!
Kelly

Here I have for you, my best tips to running solo: 

1. Practice makes perfect. Don’t give up on one bad run or a week of bad runs. Keep working at it, keep practicing! 
2. How much you like running boils down to what you think about when you run. If you don’t like running solo, chances are you are being mean to yourself when you’re running. Pay attention to your mental voice. What are you saying to yourself? Is it something you’d say to your best friend? If not, then don’t say it! 
3. Listen to pod-casts or an audio book. You can learn a lot and it’s almost similar to running with a friend. 
4. Give yourself grace. Bad runs happen to everyone. Don’t let one run or even a week of runs make or break you.
5. Have fun! Mid run find a spot to plop your phone down and try to get some action shots. You just might make yourself laugh, and you'll have silly photos to remember your run. 
   
6. Pick a goal to work towards. It can be hitting a certain landmark or a certain pace, or to accomplish a certain workout. Set an attainable goal for yourself for each solo run and you’ll feel a lot more accomplished when the run is over. ​
7. Fall in love with running. If you’re running to have friends or running for weight loss, those reasons behind running are short lived and if your duty station changes or you reach your weight goal you may find yourself not running at all. The fact of the matter is though, that running has SO MANY MORE positives than the weight management and the quick friendships you can build. Running is a great stress reliever, it’s a great way to get endorphins. It helps you to clear your mind. It helps you to feel accomplished when you set goals and reach them. Running can and should be about so much more than weight loss. You have to change how your mind thinks about running, and change what your mind thinks about when you run in order to make this happen. 
   

You can do it! Fall in love with running, fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body and spirit! 

Happy Running!
Kelly ​

When my family and I PCSd to Okinawa, Japan, I was unsure of what to expect as a runner. After some time here, I was excited to learn that the running and racing community is very rich here. From little kids to grandparents, everyone is out running and participating in races. Even individuals with special needs are encouraged to enter and run races! The 3.8K races here, while they are predominately children (and sometimes but not always their parents), they also are for individuals with special needs. You will see individuals with special needs and their guides running along, happily together. That is something that I have never seen in the US but wish that I could see. I think running and exercise is beneficial to everyone!

I love watching the locals and learning from them, it’s amazing what you can learn when you pay attention! I talked with Stroller Warriors from Iwakuni and Zama to compare and contrast experiences. So here we have for you, our lessons learned about running in Japan.

Attire: It’s HOT in Okinawa with high temperatures and 100% humidity. You’d think all runners would be wearing as little clothing as possible. That’s not so in Japan! Japan is a very modest culture and community and taking your shirt off to run is unheard of (unless you’re an American who doesn’t know any better). Even in high heat with high humidity you will see Japanese locals running or walking in long pants and long sleeves. At a minimum they will have shorts and t-shirts on. Usually they won’t even have sweat stains on their clothes. How so, you ask? A Japanese friend once told me they have the same concept as maxi pads but to stick to the underarms of your shirts to collect the sweat. Stroller Warriors who have lived on mainland Japan report the Japanese dress modestly while exercising there as well.

Safety: Japan is a lot safer than the US. I have never been cat called at or followed while running in Japan and neither have Mallory, Colleen and Katie who were stationed in mainland, Japan. Whether you’re in Okinawa or on mainland, Japan, chances are you will feel a lot safer while running solo. If I run early in the morning or late at night I’m not nervous about getting attacked by a human (though I am still on alert!). Instead, my mind is worried about habu snakes (that are nocturnal and incredibly territorial in addition to being one of the most venomous snakes).  I still prefer to run in the company of others, but I love feeling safe in the community I run in!

Japanese runners don’t break the road laws. If the light is red, that means stop and all of the Japanese runners will stop at each red light until the cross-walk man tells you that you can go. American’s wouldn’t think twice about crossing the street if the roads were clear, but the Japanese will stop and wait. Katie had a situation where a local screamed at her for a couple minutes because she ran across a bridge and crossed at a crosswalk when the walk man was red. If you are new to Japan, you may not realize that they take following the road laws seriously for pedestrians and bicyclists, not just cars.​

Be very careful when crossing the street. Cars drive on the left side of the road here. So remember how you learned how to look both ways before crossing the street? Well now, you have to start with the opposite way first! You need to look right, left and then right again. You’ll get used to it after a while, and when you move back Stateside, you’ll have to get used to it all over again!

Cross the road, closer to the road, not closer to the building. This is a tip I learned from watching the locals. If you cross closer to the building you are moving from a blind spot right out into the danger zone in the blink of an eye. To make themselves more visible they go out away from the building, towards the street before crossing. 

​Use the mirrors!  In Japan, because there are so many blind spots, the government has put mirrors everywhere to help everyone see better. The mirrors give you a little glimpse into a narrow alley or down a road that’s at a weird angle from you. Use them! If you see movement in the mirror, stop and let them cross first. 

Japanese runners have a tradition of turning after crossing the finish line and bowing to the course. From my understanding, they do not always do this, they only bow to the course when it has been a formidable opponent. On a tough race, like the Shouhashi half marathon in Nanjo, Okinawa you will see whole crowds of people turning to bow to the course. This is good to know so you can slow down and give the people in front of you space after you cross a finish line. They might be stopping and turning when you weren’t expecting it. 

The price of racing is much more reasonable here than in the US. In the US I was paying $180-$220 or so for a full marathon. Here, the price to run a marathon is around $40-$60. It seems that in Japan, the larger the race, the more you can expect to pay to be in it. 

Japan has a rich culture of running and racing and I am so glad I have been able to be a part of it. From glass medals to clay medals, from locals lining the roads during a race to offer trays of salt or brown sugar, to stopping mid race to take a photo with a bull. I’ve gathered up a million memories and experiences I will treasure forever. 

Don’t be afraid to experience something new here in Japan, lace up your shoes and go! 

Happy Running!
Kelly

Today on the blog we have a guest author, Sefra! We don't want to give anything away, so we will let Sefra introduce herself, and tell her story. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 chaos, I wanted to share an uplifting story about my family’s running journey. I am a special needs mom. Both of my twin boys have autism, and other various diagnoses. Our story seems unique, but in reality it is much more common than you would expect.

The boys were born as little preemies in Okinawa, Japan in October 2014. After a month in the NICU, we took our beautiful babies home. By the time they were 15 months, I suspected that they may be delayed. At 18 months, my suspicions were confirmed; the boys were diagnosed with Autism.

My husband was out of the country. My world was turned upside down. I had no idea what to do. I was completely numb, our entire world had changed. I felt completely alone on an island where I barely knew anyone. So, I did what I knew how to do. I loaded the boys into our old, worn-down jogger and I went for a run. I knew I had to process the day’s events. The miles blended together and eventually turned into my first ten mile run.

I couldn’t believe that I ran ten miles. That small victory turned a rough day into a positive one. Running was always our family’s activity. I grew up going to my dad’s races, oftentimes as early as 2:00AM. He is the ultimate runner and my example. It’s funny to think that I used to hate running. After the boys’ diagnosis, I knew I needed to make a change in my life. I decided to pursue running as that change.

A few months after they were diagnosed, we moved to North Carolina, where we expected to get treatment for the boys. Sadly, we didn’t know that the boys also had a severe eating condition. A few short months in NC showed us that we had moved to the wrong place. We even tried going out of state for medical care to treat their feeding issues. Yet, even after a month of out of state intensive therapy, we hadn’t made the progress we needed. So, we requested a humanitarian move to Quantico.

During this whole time, I was a solitary runner. With all the moves, therapy, hospital stays, and constant change in our lives, I didn’t think I would be able to find a running community. It made me concerned that there wasn’t a single running group that would understand my beautiful boys and our lifestyle.

The move to Quantico changed everything. I would go on to realize the benefits a strong running community brings into life. I finally went to a Stroller Warriors workout in 2017. Since then, the relationships I’ve kindled have carried my family through our toughest diagnoses yet. No matter who you are, there are groups that will accept you. I was able to forge my running family, treat my sons and get my family in a better place.

Recently one of our sons went through a traumatic experience. It was so severe, that the breakdown eventually morphed into PTSD with self injurious behavior. During this struggle, our family was emotionally and physically exhausted. We didn’t leave the house and ultimately shut ourselves in. We didn’t know if our baby would come back to us. He seemed like a shell of the little boy we knew. As a mother I wasn’t sure if we would make it. I would spend all night holding him so he didn’t hurt himself.

Getting up the morning after these incidents, I felt completely empty inside. It was like all I had left was the next step in my run. Telling myself, “just one more step and you’ll make it.” That attitude carried into helping my son. Just one more step and it will be okay. Just that one step kept me going. That running mentality forged our outlook -and ultimately our hope- that our son would make it through this storm.

That one step turned into thousands. And now our son is very slowly on his way to recovery. We still have hard days but those are the days I push myself out the door. I know I will be better for it. What I learned from this time was immeasurable. The friendships that I had made through my running journey were the ones that stayed by our sides the most. When we shut ourselves in, they came knocking. The positivity from them became positivity that I was able to bring home.

After everything, running is still my outlet. I started with my first 5K on Kadena Air Base that raised funds for the NICU. Then, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon as my first marathon in hopes of raising awareness for autism. Then I ultimately ran a 50K in Maryland. The 50K was my ultimate challenge, but with great support from friends and family I became an ultra marathoner. I will always be thankful for that experience. Believe it or not, my favorite race was a 4 miler in Fredericksburg, VA. It was a super rainy day but it was one of the few races my husband was able to attend. I was blessed to be able to run it with friends.

This race showed me how capable I can be when I want to. It was my first PR, and I did it with an amazing friend. Our husbands cheered us on at the finish line. It is a memory I will never forget! Thanks to running, I’ve been able to push myself to new heights. Thanks to our running community, and my family, I’ve grown as a mother, a friend and a woman. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Through it all, we have endured stress that is fathomable by few, stress that I would wish on no one. But, I have learned many valuable lessons about myself, my family, and about taking care of us all. Becoming a runner has helped me handle stress in a healthy way. But even I forget things sometimes. I try to follow these key tenants when things get tough!

1. You are enough. Always remember that no matter how hard times get, you can make it through.

2. Your children love you no matter what. This was one of my biggest lessons. Our kids just want to see us happy. Our children’s love is unwavering.

3. Lao Tzu once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Don’t be afraid to take that next step in your running journey. Everything in life starts with, “That first step." Life is full of possibilities, get out there and explore yours.

4. Go to the Stroller Warriors workout. You will make amazing friendships that will help you through your hardest times. They will help you grow as a spouse and as a parent. You won’t regret it!

5. When you’re tired and don’t feel like going, go anyway. I guarantee you will feel better afterwards. These are my biggest mental battles. On the hard days, I have to push myself out of the house and onto the pavement. This gives me the time and space I’ve needed to deal with the day’s (or night’s) events.

6. Surround yourself with positive people. I am extremely lucky to have met some amazing people throughout my running journey. They have uplifted myself and my family in times of need.

7. Listen to yourself. Follow what your mind and body are telling you. This is important. Don’t doubt what your body is telling you. You know your body the best. Listen to it.

8. Laughter and smiles are some of the best medication. The times I am able to run with friends, laugh, and smile are when I feel the best. There is no replacing the therapeutic value of a good laugh.

9. Try that new running adventure ahead of you. You never know what can happen, and you might love it. You might be pleasantly surprised with how much you enjoy it. Plus, you’ll get to see how you’ve grown as a person along the way.

10. Always remember to give yourself time and space for growth. Change doesn’t happen overnight. By giving yourself space to grow, you are setting yourself up for success. This is key to sustaining yourself and your family.

These are just some of the things that I have learned on my running journey. I know that we have a lot ahead and we still have much to learn. Being a mother is an amazing blessing. But being a mother of children with special needs is my biggest blessing of all. I hope I’ve given you a sliver lining for the times ahead. Be kind in time of stress and change. And ultimately, stay safe and enjoy the little things in life for really, those little things are really the big things.

Happy Running!
​Sefra

by Katie P.
Katie is an avid runner, Stroller Warrior Headquarters Team member and mother of 3. She is an alumni member of Stroller Warriors Yuma and the founder of Stroller Warriors Iwakuni.​

​I woke up on Friday the 13th like any other day, and I was becoming superstitious by midday. After my kids got on the school bus, I checked email, read some news, and checked my FB notifications while eating breakfast. Along with my normal invitation notifications from Stroller Warriors chapters around the world, I had almost as many event cancellation notifications. This COVID storm is just beginning in America, and like everyone else, I’ve been trying to get my footing and have a reasonable reaction to this pandemic without acting like a hurricane is on its way (seriously, you cannot possibly need 3 packs of SamsClub toilet paper). By Sunday night, schools were ordered closed by the Governor (in our state - I’m in South Carolina) for the remainder of the month, all youth sports programs were postponed, and ‘social distancing’ was being explained by infectious disease specialists on every news outlet. Schools in other states were closing as well, some for as long as a 6-8 weeks. On Monday night the President announced the CDC recommended shutting down any gathering of more than ten people, which led to Stroller Warriors temporarily putting a hold on all US chapter workouts and events. Every US race scheduled in the next month (or more) has been cancelled, and we’re all on a virtual workout plan. 

Around the world, we’ve watched as our OCONUS chapters and Elsewhere members are in varying states of pandemic preparation or direct response. Japan shut down schools for the month of March, and some of the American bases have some level of ROM (Restriction of Movement) set up for residents returning from travel. Bases in European countries are on full lockdown, and their schools are closed, too. All PCS and non-essential TDY/TAD travel has been cancelled CONUS and OCONUS in an effort to stop this virus.

​My husband and I are both very fact oriented people. I am a former police officer who needs all of the information to make any decision. My husband is a history buff and has been watching YouTube videos of Q&As with infectious disease experts discussing COVID-19 and other diseases we’ve seen over the past few hundred years. We made a plan for the inevitable school closure for our kids and possible work shutdown for myself, and considering adjusting Spring break travel plans. And we’re running. We’re running every day we’ve planned, and were lucky enough to race last weekend at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, where some smaller races were still being held prior to the increase in cases. I have never felt so grateful for the fresh air, cool breeze, and free post-race beer! We enjoyed our time racing (my husband hit a PR and placed 1st in his age group, and while I didn’t PR, I did reach my day’s goal with a minute to spare), relaxing afterward as we watched other runners finish, and discussing this wild ride the world is on at the moment. We brought some levity to the discussion with some silly internet memes about toilet paper and T-Rex, but really, things are seemingly quite serious.

The past few weeks, we’ve watched as the running world has all but shut down every large running event scheduled for the next few months. I have seen countless Warriors posting about missing their races and the devastation they feel not being able to run their planned race. I have felt helpless and sad for my fellow runners. 

​I’ve seen our combined reaction as Stroller Warriors members and leadership. Initially when it was only the big races that were cancelled, and otherwise life was proceeding as normal, I watched as our Coordinators, Workout Leaders, and Volunteer Staff set up water stations and planned virtual races and potlucks and BBQs for their fellow Warriors. I received a message from one of our coordinators asking for guidance after she’d come up with a plan – a plan that put her own race needs aside to give her team a fighting chance at the normalcy racing together brings us. I watched in the aftermath how their team was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to run their ‘race’ despite the disheartening conditions. They made that race happen for one another. We've seen Stroller Warriors starting 'virtual relays' where one by one they run miles and pass a virtual baton for the next person person to 'grab' and keep running. In the midst of all of the shut downs Stroller Warriors are still holding virtual workouts, relays, and challenges. They are supporting each other and sharing resources on home schooling. They are there for each other, both in running and in life.

​This COVID-19 situation is terrible. The virus has killed many and there is no doubt more will perish as we fight as a society to figure out life with this in the mix. Since becoming a runner, I have learned the strength of this team – the runner’s team. I have learned that together, we are stronger than we could ever be alone. We run faster and farther because of one another, and we continuously raise each other up when we are down. Our Fearless Leaders are some of the luckiest leaders in the world; they have the support of incredible volunteers and members who all truly have a common goal – our goal to ensure a healthier world for each of us and our children. 2020 may be the year that life gave us lemons, but Stroller Warriors, y’all are making some awesome lemonade and I am so proud to be among you. 

Sending my best from the low country to Stroller Warriors around the world – rock on Warriors! Whether you’re running laps in your driveway, a 5K at the track, a 10K on your garage treadmill, a half marathon on a one mile base loop, we’re all cheering for you this season.