​Yesterday we celebrated Global Running Day and many of our Stroller Warriors members commemorated the date by dedicating a run towards their love for the sport.  The majority of our Stroller Warrior members kept their passion for running alive during pregnancy and continued their postpartum running journey with the additional company of their mini warriors along for the ride in the jogging stroller. 
 
Recently, I’ve been reflecting on my running journey over the past 11.5 years—from the time I had my first child up until now.  Last year, I found myself wondering how many more years I would have left pushing a mini warrior in my Bob Stroller.  I was hoping to have at least two more summers, but last week, my youngest took off on bike at a Stroller Warriors workout.  I soon realized that my time pushing the Bob Stroller concluded—she would no longer want to be pushed in the stroller while I ran and from here on out would want to keep up biking with her older siblings.  

​My husband mentioned that it’s now time to take the Bob stroller out of the trunk and pass it to a future parent runner.  I quickly responded that I couldn’t let it go and needed a bit more time to part ways with a stroller that had logged so many miles— the tattered handlebar console is stained with spilled juice and milk, treasures can still be found in the zippered pocket, and the basket at the bottom has a tear from the weight of the stored scooters. 
 
I started out with a single Bob stroller with a fixed wheel—a stroller that was gifted to me from cousin who knew I would want to run with my child.  I quickly learned through running in the windy Montana weather that a fixed wheel is difficult to maneuver in the wind, so I found a Bob with a swivel wheel that allowed for smoother handling in the wind (this also being easier on my wrists)!  I upgraded my single to a double once my son was born while stationed in Germany, and I passed my single onto to a dear friend.  However, after about 2 years, the weight of the double became unbalanced as I pushed one child while my oldest was in school.  As such, I quickly found a Bob single and kept the double stored in the garage for the future!  One year later, after a move and having another child, I was back to double stroller running and chasing my oldest as she swiftly scootered down the Mount Vernon trail during Stroller Warriors! 
 
I sat at this sweet spot of double stroller running with one child biking for quite some time, and then 2020 happened.  With school out of session for an extended period of time, my son was motivated to ride his bike and chase his sister— he took off at lightning speed!  I went back and forth from running with my youngest in the double (using a pink cat stuffed animal to keep her company), and over time, switched back to the single for almost 3 years. 
 
I remember the last run with my daughter in the single— we ran around the neighborhood on a hot morning and she belted out the lyrics to her favorite Disney tunes, asking me a question every once in a while.  My stroller days are over, but I am happy that my last run with a stroller was peaceful and filled with song.  Although my daughter doesn’t want to sit and be pushed, I’m happy that she wants to ride alongside me still while biking!  

Happy Running 😊

Community outreach is an integral part of the Stroller Warriors mission and one aspect that makes Stroller Warriors so much more than a running club!  Our chapters continue to help both the local and military communities one outreach event at a time!
 
Stroller Warriors Charleston was happy to have the opportunity to spread the word about the chapter, and the goals and mission of Stroller Warriors.  Volunteers spoke to military families and active-duty members, and the chapter hosted resource tables at the “Loved Ones All Call” for the 15th Airlift Squadron, family day for the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the Military Child Education Coalition’s “Purple Up Low Country Cook-off.”  Additionally, several members and their mini warriors volunteered with the Palmetto Military Support Group at the Cooper River Bridge Run race expo— one member took charge of the bib pick up station, while others worked behind the scenes folding over 1000 shirts for swag bags!  The chapter sprung to action as it participated in the “Walk for Water” event hosted by the Water Mission to promote easy-access to clean water locally, nationally, and globally; the chapter raised $125 for this great cause.  During the C25K and spring kick-off, the chapter collaborated with the Military Child Education Coalition who organized a story time featuring the book Courage by Bernard Waber, which was a perfect message for those taking their first steps in their running journey!  The fun continued with the chapter leadership volunteering with a Purple Up event at Saint John Catholic School in Honor of military kids!  Workout leaders hosted a small Stroller Warriors workout session for students, then volunteered alongside pilots and loadmasters from the 14th Airlift squadron, and members from the 628the Air Base Wing legal office, by helping children create crafts and by hosting fun activities.  The chapter ended April by setting-up an assembly line that made 96 peanut-butter & jelly sandwiches for the Low Country Blessing Box Project.  

​Stroller Warriors Fort Belvoir supported Stop Soldier Suicide by organizing a month-long squat challenge with the goal to complete 2,000 squats to raise awareness about this organization’s important mission— to stop soldier suicide in all branches, every generation, and without judgement.  In addition to far-exceeding their squat goal, completing 12, 873 squats in March, the chapter also raised $395 dollars! 
 
Stop Solider Suicide can be reached for help at anytime, 24/7, by calling 844-613-0403.

​Stroller Warriors Kaneohe Bay continued with their monthly beach clean ups at Fort Hase Beach.  The chapter continually dedicates the last Monday of each month to volunteer their time and effort to keep a favorite beach spot clean for all to use!  Bags, gloves sifters, and other items are provided to assist with the clean-up.  Additionally, the chapter collaborated with two talented photographers- Daisy Borski and Carrie with Whimsy Willow Photography- to organize Mother’s Day photo sessions.  A portion of the funds donated to reserve the sessions were donated to the Tripler Fisher House culminating in a $340 donation.  

​Stroller Warriors Virginia Beach organized a dynamic shoe drive for 3 different charities!  In March, a 10-day long sneaker donation drive benefitted Sneakers4Good— an organization that collects gently-worn, new, or used sneakers in exchange for a monetary donation to a charity in need.  Funds received in exchange for donated sneakers supported the local Girls on the Run chapter.  Additionally, the chapter coordinated a second shoe collection of non-running shoes for Soles4Souls. 

​Thank you, Stroller Warriors®, for your continued dedication to outreach and growing the good in your communities. 
 
Happy Running 😊