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Meet Kate!

5/26/2022

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My history as an athlete began long before any of my running escapades.  Growing up I played lots of team sports: volleyball, basketball, softball, and track.  Running was simply how I got from point A to point B with the exception of track and field, but I did my best to remain a field athlete.  The 300m hurdles will do that to any sane person. I hated that race with a passion not typically seen in teenagers. Instead, I chose to throw pointy sticks (was pretty good at this) and occasionally a heavy ball (was not that great at this). Ultimately, throwing things opened doors and got me into my top choice university. 

It would be hard to overestimate just how much I loved being a part of a team while in college. In retrospect, it does not seem possible, but I ran even less in college than I did in high school and that was mostly because the javelin runway is only 30m long and I no longer had to pretend that I was a hurdler. Javelin was my primary sport, so the weight room became a huge part of my training. We lifted weights as a team, we trained as a team, we ate as a team, sometimes we even studied as a team. Often, we played and partied as a team. Once I graduated, it was incredibly hard to transition from all-encompassing collegiate team sport life to unaffiliated solo workouts with no season to train for and no coach or teammates keeping me honest in my workouts.  

And at this point, I shifted directions drastically in my pursuit of fitness.  I began taking pole dance classes.  And I really did the thing. I was a regular at my classes for years.  Sometimes I would train solo running, but only rarely signed up for races or ran with a group.  Then I branched into aerial dance, where I trained silks and duo trapeze.  Again, a years-long process of starting as a student, eventually working my way to apprentice performer, and ultimately a coach, performer, and show creator with an aerial burlesque company of which I was a founding member. Then the military life took me to new places, where I expanded my aerial and acrobatic practices to include aerial rope performance, teaching pole dance, handstand training, and body weight and gyrokinesis trainings and certification classes.  Even though these pursuits were definitely not team sports, the people I trained with and taught were a huge part of why I loved dance and acrobatics. Even if we weren’t a formal team, we trained as a team. Working hard together to attain personal fitness goals, teaching the skills I had learned, and the absolutely wild and immersive creative process of building a theatrical aerial show from the ground up were all projects I undertook during this time.  Teamwork makes the dream work! Absolutely none of what I accomplished during this time could have been done solo. 

In Monterey, CA, I began running regularly again. I signed up to run a Spartan race and even though burpees suck (you know it and I know it), they are also one of my favorite bodyweight exercises.  A couple of friends and I signed up as a team and away we went, running a Spartan Beast at Diablo Grande, CA.  It was hot and dry, and because of the California drought we didn’t even have fire to jump. But it was such a fun race.  I had raced since I had graduated college; I trained and ran both a half and a full marathon.  But it was a bucket list item and while I didn’t hate it, I hadn’t really fallen for running yet.  In Monterey, I fell for running.  I began running 4 days a week, and putting in long weekend runs around all the other physical training I was also doing instead of working.  I was living the dream, truly. I was in the best shape of my life at this time, and also physically the most capable I have ever been. It was at this time that Stroller Warriors came on to my radar, but I never made it to any runs.

However, once we moved back to Hawaii and I had my first child, I immediately joined the Kaneohe Bay Stroller Warriors facebook page and waited for the C25k program to start. By this point, running had become my social event and primary fitness pursuit.  We had a fabulous C25k group that round. I made friends, running.  I felt better in this new body, running.  I had fun, running. I was inspired by these fabulous Warriors, who were so welcoming and giving of their time. When the call for volunteers came, I decided to volunteer as a workout leader.  But only for the evening workouts, because the night time is the right time. Anyone who knows me knows I simply cannot get anywhere in the morning on time. I try, yo. I really do. But I am very bad at it. Always have been.

Currently, I volunteer with Kaneohe Bay Stroller Warriors, where I first learned of the joys of stroller running and found so many wonderful people to inspire me.  Everything up to this point in my fitness journey has indicated to me just how important it is to have the support of a team. My fitness background is pretty diverse but some of the lessons that apply across all my disciplines include setting goals, using autoregulation, and making it fun!  I use these in my own fitness practice, and I hope that I am also able to impart these concepts via coaching, because I strongly feel that they are key elements to a sustainable pursuit of fitness.

Setting the goals is what keeps me coming back, day after day.  Even if I don’t feel like it's all coming together. Maybe especially then. This year I had a goal of running a half marathon. Having that goal got me up to running 24 miles in a week, which I hadn’t done in years. It got me out of bed and headed to workouts and even though I was late to most of those workouts, I still went. I pushed that stroller and got the mileage done. When I ran the race, I relied on my training and I accomplished my goal! However, the right goals are important. Too lofty or externally motivated, and I lose interest quickly and then deal with the fallout of feeling unsuccessful. I have found that I need to prioritize one, maybe two goals at a time. No shame in cycling through different goals, but if you prioritize too many goals simultaneously, you really aren’t prioritizing anything.  Make them attainable. Make it what you want, not what you think you should want.

Autoregulation is a fabulous concept.  It’s nothing new, but I learned to focus on it during my body weight training certification course.  Autoregulation is paying attention to how you feel and accommodating your fitness practice to suit that.  It is a practice that requires you to be fully present with yourself mentally and physically during all of your workouts.  When I am coaching, I always try to find a way to introduce this concept because I don’t know your body or your mind better than you do. In order to get the most out of a workout, your efforts should meet your body where it is. Sometimes, this means that you tone down the intensity of your workout.  But it also can mean that sometimes you dial it in and really push! And it is not limited to how you are feeling physically.  Mentally, some workouts are tough and if your mental load needs to be shouldered elsewhere, don’t plan an incredibly mentally taxing workout on top of that. It’s a recipe for burnout or injury. We’re supposed to be having fun on some level, right?

Ever since I graduated college, making my workouts fun has been a primary driver in my choice of workout.  Fun absolutely does not mean easy.  Fun can be anything. Rock climbing, pole dancing, surfing, running with your friends. Fun keeps me coming back, day after day, week after week, etc. Without this component, I don’t see my fitness journey as a sustainable life practice. I won’t keep it on the schedule if I don’t enjoy doing it. And what good is a workout to me, if I don’t do it? Hint: it's not any good. I don’t have the luxury of fun social time, apart from my “intense” fitness time. Right now, I only have time to do them at the same time. Fun is definitely a consideration for the workout, but it also very much includes the social aspect of working out for me as well. What better group of people than the other Stroller Warriors? To be on the Stroller Warriors team is so much more than meeting up for a run. Recognizing this has been instrumental in my abilities to improve as a person, runner, and coach.

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Community Outreach Recap

5/18/2022

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Stroller Warriors® believes community outreach is a valuable piece of its mission.  Along with running and fitness goals, Stroller Warrior chapters strive to support the local military and civilian communities through charitable events, donation drives, community clean-ups, and philanthropic opportunities.

In March and April of this year, our SW chapters continued to support their communities one charitable event at a time!
 
Yorktown:
During March, Stroller Warriors Yorktown supported the Peninsula Food Bank (Hampton Roads Food Bank).  Over the past two years, there has been an increase in the number of people that rely on food banks, such as the Peninsula Food Bank— specifically, nonperishable food items were needed.  As part of the community, Stroller Warriors Yorktown organized a nonperishable food collection drive to ensure that their neighbors had food during this continued time of difficulty.  Workout leaders collected nonperishable items at workouts throughout the month to accomplish this important task.
 
To learn more about the Peninsula Food Bank (Hampton Roads Food Bank), visit their website at https://hrfoodbank.org/
Picture
Collection of items from Stroller Warriors Yorktown!
Virginia Beach:
In March and April, Stroller Warriors Virginia Beach organized a donation drive for Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge-- whose focus is on rehabilitating animals for release back into the wild.  Animals go to a wildlife rehabilitator for many different reasons; sometimes it is due to a natural cause (like a cold snap causing an animal to be disoriented), and sometimes it's related to the actions of people (like a turtle needing medical attention after being ran over by a lawnmower).  With the warmer weather comes baby animals; this tends to be a busy time for wildlife refuges with an influx of patients.
 
An ongoing Amazon wish-list for the organization was shared within this chapter so members could make donations directly. 
 
To support Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge, please view their Amazon wish list:  (https://www.amazon.com/.../evelyns-wildlife.../2CCFCHJD9TFSS)
 

Quantico:

In April, members of Stroller Warriors Quantico supported Autism Awareness month. 
 
April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for this condition that occurs in one of every 54 children (this is current as of 2020 for the United States).  With the autism diagnosis rate quickly increasing, members of Stroller Warriors Quantico used the month to celebrate the differences, learn more about, and empower those with autism.  Stroller Warriors Quantico dedicated their miles by using the hashtag #CelebrateDifferences, thereby donating or creating a fundraiser on personal social media pages, and by providing donation options via Amazon Smile to the Autism Society of America.
 
Also in April, members of Stroller Warriors Quantico organized a community clean-up on base.  This was a meaningful opportunity to teach their mini warriors about the importance of keeping the earth clean and the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle). 
 
Cherry Point:
On 26 April 2022, Stroller Warriors Cherry Point started to collect new superhero toys and action figures for Project Superhero.
 
Project Superhero is a local organization that brings joy to kids in children’s hospitals throughout coastal North Carolina.  Dedicated volunteers working with Project Superhero drove for hours to dress as superheroes and hand out superhero toys and action figures to sick and injured children.
 
You can support and learn more about project Superhero by visiting their website:
https://www.projectsuperhero.org/?fbclid=IwAR19wBrIC6dpy9g1CrzLuahBZzCjm5CrclkOGhwk53oYVnFERr0LFJG0hbg
 
Pensacola:
In March, Stroller Warriors Pensacola organized a donation drive for the Salvation Army of Pensacola, which serves both Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.  The food pantry at the Salvation Army offers meals, snacks and other essential items for homeless and low-income community neighbors. Unfortunately, demand in the area is currently very high, and the Salvation Army is having a difficult time keeping its pantry stocked
 
The chapter collected items throughout the entire month at SW events and arranged to pick-up items if members could not attend workouts.  
Picture
A cart full of donations for the Salvation Army
Kaneohe Bay:
Stroller Warriors Kaneohe Bay organized an event to support Residential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE)-- a local organization that provides a 24/7 access center as part of the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center in Kailua, where disenfranchised youth are able to sleep safely at night under professional supervision.  In addition, they receive: skilled medical attention, hot nutritious meals, clean clothes, laundry facilities, hot showers, personal lockers, counseling, job training and employment assistance, GED education, and nurturing by qualified, professional staff.  Learn more by visiting: https://www.rysehawaii.org/

​From April 1 to April 13, the chapter collected printer paper reams and ink pens, as many of the youth are studying for their GED and working on resumes.
 
Additionally, on April 25, chapter members gathered for an Earth Day clean-up at Fort Hase beach— keeping the area clean for all to enjoy!  
Picture
A collection of supplies for RYSE
​Thank you to all of our Stroller Warrior members for your continued dedication to service— to the military community, local community and beyond.  Keep up the brilliant work making positive impact in the community!  
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Open hearts during PCS season

5/11/2022

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Picture
I began joining for long runs with the SWFB group about 3 months before we PCS'd. This is the painting that I purchased during a post long run trip to the Alexandria Farmers Market with friends from SW Fort Belvoir. It was my last run before we hit the road to SC. I was so happy to run with SW friends old and new!
​PCS season is officially upon us— some families packing up boxes for a new destination, while others are hanging back to say farewell.  I am beginning to see the “Odes” on the Stroller Warrior chapter pages.  Our family is no longer new to our current location; however, I always make a point to keep my heart open to making new friends.  This past January, my daughter was thrilled to have made a new friend through a youth program on base—and I made a friend as well!   I am not the best at putting myself out there when it comes to chatting with other parents during activities, so I was extremely thankful when introductions were made.  I learned about the indoor activities that were finally in-person after being virtual due to COVid—the story time at the base library being one of them!  My daughter and I began regularly attending story time— always catching up with our new friends!  I learned that they received orders to a location where we were previously stationed.  It was a bittersweet moment— I was excited for their new adventure and shared details of the things that our family loved about their upcoming duty station…Stroller Warriors® being one of them!  I was ecstatic when I learned that my friend joined Stroller Warriors— when we pass through and/or visit their location for vacation- and who knows, maybe receive orders there once again- I will have a friend to run with! 
I wanted to leave with advice from an earlier blog piece from our Fearless leader (read the blog entry below) — fight the urge to close off to new friendships 6 months prior to a PCS!  Those friendships will lead to some great memories.  And with this transient military lifestyle, there is always a possibility of being stationed together again! 
https://www.strollerwarriors.com/blog/shutting-down-6-months-prior-to-a-pcs
 
Happy Running,
Rose 😊
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Mother's Day and Father's Day gift ideas!

5/4/2022

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Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are right around the corner!  Looking for gift suggestions? Our Stroller Warriors® Headquarters team has come to the rescue with a list of some of their favorite items:
 
Running Accessories:
- Koala Clip:
https://koalaclip.com/collections/best-sellers

- Flip belt:
https://flipbelt.com/pages/shop-all

- Nox Gear vest:
https://www.noxgear.com/tracer2

- Road ID shoe tag:
https://www.roadid.com/products/sprint-stainless-velcro-id?fbclid=IwAR1l6HQ8oZunwcnX8hkHN_DXc3fpy_Sc85lxScR301MdKjQG9Gp14tUn584

- Secbolt watch band:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CVWYKJW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&fbclid=IwAR2BvEG3oHKFyjJ5gLJ3wXKabFWgf6h7mYlQV_UlIFlyGMG94QD5iNPfk9U

- Trekz Aftershokz:
https://www.amazon.com/AfterShokz-Titanium-Wireless-Conduction-Headphones/dp/B018XNGO5A?th=1

- Goodr sunglasses:
https://goodr.com/collections/running-sunglasses
 
Helpful running cosmetics:
- Chamois Butt’r:
https://www.rei.com/product/814199/chamois-buttr-eurostyle-anti-chafe-cream-8-oz

- Joico dry shampoo:
https://www.ulta.com/p/weekend-hair-dry-shampoo-pimprod2008381?fbclid=IwAR1gbpBvTTbLw7T72gEllAK99OcAYNZQnLkf4IGtCMKGcVLe7p-NFOFKg3o
 
Clothing:
- Balega socks:
https://balega-socks.implus.com/
​

- Under Armor underwear ( for women):
https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/p/women/womens_ua_pure_stretch_sheer_hipster/1276493.html?fbclid=IwAR3KQUwcXL_p3IgzceiaxZ0bau6v3aowz9li7t-1HcmcLHWVmACaLPZU0Vc

- Fair Harbor shorts (for men):
https://www.fairharborclothing.com/?fbclid=IwAR0K8Owoi33njyOBhqnTPYEQOuqRvUC9RcrfHQu1wxXyontR6pT6vxRz8CE

- Illuminite Women’s singlet:
https://illuminite.com/pages/shop-womens-reflective-clothing

- Rainbow sandals:
https://www.rainbowsandals.com/product/301ALTSB?fbclid=IwAR23XkP0A6pK6VQYUGeiGbPNtMhGilVGCLhStSsiSl4XyD4hkOYZ9Mmhbzs
 
Food Items:
- Bangarang protein cups:
https://www.bangarangfoods.com/collections/all
 
Strength training, Post workout:
- Bowflex dumbbells:
https://www.bowflex.com/selecttech/552/100131.html?fbclid=IwAR1gbpBvTTbLw7T72gEllAK99OcAYNZQnLkf4IGtCMKGcVLe7p-NFOFKg3o

- Shiatsu Massager:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V5GG112?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&fbclid=IwAR01I3I6_HNq6KkaVO9lSv3UxU2VqjZdoGTAXSPbn2ysxAOpeP46Rl8XaIg&th=1
 
Miscellaneous:
- Legend Planner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MW8XRM9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&fbclid=IwAR0K8Owoi33njyOBhqnTPYEQOuqRvUC9RcrfHQu1wxXyontR6pT6vxRz8CE&th=1

- UVll Office Wheel chairs:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HCM46W2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_H4KX12M7TVB9HEN2KWZC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR1gbpBvTTbLw7T72gEllAK99OcAYNZQnLkf4IGtCMKGcVLe7p-NFOFKg3o
 
Thank you, Stroller Warriors HQ for the list of suggestions!  And don't forget- Stroller Warriors gear is always a perfect gift idea!  Anything to add to the list?  Please share with the Stroller Warriors community!
 
Happy Running!
Rose 
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