It is absolutely amazing to me that on 3 February 2024, I crossed the finish line of the Olympic Marathon Trials in 23rd place in 2:33:33. What I thought must have been just a childhood dream of making it to the Olympic Marathon Trials turned out to be a reality 20 years or so later. So many have asked me how I did it. The answer is tough to put to words. What I do know is that one major factor was the affect that becoming a military spouse had on me. When my husband joined the Army in 2018, I quickly realized that I was going to need to grow a thicker skin, a resilience, a ‘go with the flow’ attitude and most importantly a realization that I have a lot to learn. One of the biggest things that helped me keep it together through having kids and this military life, other that God and His Grace, was stroller pushing my way through it all!
I remember one day pushing our two littles in the double stroller and helping push the third on his bike up a giant hill on our daily route. Someone walking by made some really nice and funny comments about how crazy I looked. I never thought of it as crazy. It was the best part of my day. I have so many memories of pushing strollers for miles on snow, sand, dirt, gravel and road. There have been countless flat tires, books thrown like projectiles, snacks, park stops, and music playlists. I realize how meaningful those years were. I coach moms now at CupofTeaFITNESS.com and I often tell them how it doesn’t have to look pretty, be perfect or feel great. Sometimes you are just putting in the work and making a difference in your life. My husband recently told me that sometimes you just have to take the next step, not overthinking it or worrying about how it feels or what it means, you just step forward in the right direction. That has helped me so much and I think it relates a lot to the years of pushing strollers. You just keep pushing:)
When we were stationed at Ft. Jackson, I would push the double with my third on a bike along the Congaree River. I met a woman who told me about Stroller Warriors and I reached out almost immediately. It was so comforting to find other “Stroller Warriors” out there. I had no idea that such communities even existed. Everyone was so encouraging. We are definitely not alone on this journey. Each time we got stationed, I kept on pushing. We moved 3 times in 3 years and found ourselves in Fort Carson. My husband was recruited to run for the Army World Class Athlete Program. By that time my two littlest were in preschool and my eldest was in elementary. I had about 2 hours free each day. Of course, what else would I want to fill that free time with except running. So I trained for the first time in my life at a serious level. I spent 2 years training with Army WCAP and went from a happy jogging mom to an Elite Runner to fulfilling my childhood dream of racing at the Olympic Marathon Trials.
When we were stationed at Ft. Jackson, I would push the double with my third on a bike along the Congaree River. I met a woman who told me about Stroller Warriors and I reached out almost immediately. It was so comforting to find other “Stroller Warriors” out there. I had no idea that such communities even existed. Everyone was so encouraging. We are definitely not alone on this journey. Each time we got stationed, I kept on pushing. We moved 3 times in 3 years and found ourselves in Fort Carson. My husband was recruited to run for the Army World Class Athlete Program. By that time my two littlest were in preschool and my eldest was in elementary. I had about 2 hours free each day. Of course, what else would I want to fill that free time with except running. So I trained for the first time in my life at a serious level. I spent 2 years training with Army WCAP and went from a happy jogging mom to an Elite Runner to fulfilling my childhood dream of racing at the Olympic Marathon Trials.
If I have learned anything on this crazy journey, it would be the value of finding joy in every moment. The tough times have their value as do the good. Trials have their meaning as do the triumphs. The balance of letting go and getting after it has been a key to success for me. Trusting that all will be well even when I can not see what is ahead. I approached the startling of the Olympic Trials not fully prepared in fitness but fully prepared in heart. I truly believe that the race was so amazing because I spent every mile of it with a huge smile and a full heart. I have to think that pushing those strollers for about 8 or 9 years prepared me for February 3rd in so many ways. I have to wonder how many other moms out there pushing know their potential. Even more so, how many moms out there know the value in the strength they are growing by pushing!
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