​Some of you might be in the middle of your PCS (permanent change of station). Some of you might be relocated but still trying to figure out your new place. Maybe you have even been in your current location for six months or longer, but haven’t quite found your niche. Hopefully, and likely, you have landed in a spot with a Stroller Warriors® chapter. If so, reach out right now. Seriously, right now, find your chapter and request to join the page. I’ll make it easy for you…start with this link:  http://www.strollerwarriors.com/chapters.html. These will be your new people…the ones who provide the support and advice you need to acclimate to your new place. They know it all, and if they don’t, they know how to find out. As a bonus, you and your children will get plenty of exercise and be surrounded by a positive, encouraging group of all-star awesomeness.
 
What do I do if there is no Stroller Warriors chapter?!?! For me, this is difficult to imagine, but it happens. At times, we find ourselves completely separated from what we know as normal life. I am in this situation now, and I dearly miss my people. However, there are ways to cope.

​First thing is to stay connected. Even if though virtual means, staying connected goes a long way to help in adjustment. Just because you move away from an SW chapter, does not mean you are no longer a Stroller Warrior. One way to stay connected is through the Run the World program. (http://www.strollerwarriors.com/miles.html). This allows you to participate, have accountability and incentive, from ANY location. It’s also completely appropriate to stay in touch with your previous or upcoming chapter, even if you aren’t there physically. Continue to network with the club, because you never know when you might connect with someone in person later down the road.
 
Secondly, wear your gear. Just like our children have their favorite lovey, we have our things to bring comfort and motivation. If you dress the part, you are more likely to get out and go for a run, and you may even meet other SWs that you never knew existed. I’ve made several friends and acquaintances over time because I recognized their race shirt or they had SW gear on.
 
Here’s another grand idea should you find yourself Stroller Warrior-less. If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer and create a community for other military spouses in your shoes, you can send in an application to coordinate a new SW chapter! Here’s the link for more information: http://www.strollerwarriors.com/coordinating-a-chapter.html
 
Last of all, meet more people. Running clubs exist EVERYWHERE, every state, every country. Google or check out the running store to find out. Odds are that running club is also a positive, encouraging group of all-star awesomeness. 

Stop and think. When I ask you to think of someone you can count on to be a reliable source of motivation…someone who is always there for you, unknowingly pushing you to want more. Someone who is your rock and your wind. Someone who keeps you grounded while at the same time shows possibilities. These possibilities are things we tell ourselves we could never accomplish, but then you spend time with this person and they show you that you CAN! Perhaps you think of Salley.
 
She can do it all, and empower you to do it all at the same time. No matter where you are in your running journey, Salley will be there to encourage you along the way. Megan from Stroller Warriors® 29 Palms told us Salley "can, and will, run with absolutely A.N.Y.O.N.E. You need someone to pace you to run a sub-4- hour marathon? She's your girl. You need someone to pace you to run a 39-minute 5K? She'll do that, too. You need someone at the last minute to pace you to PR your full? She'll register for said marathon a week before the race and match you step for step while pushing you to your PR. When you ask Salley to run with you, the distance and pace are not even a consideration for her. She'll jump up and go because she just loves to run. She will talk your ear off for the entire run, and she will keep you laughing and smiling the whole time. She's awesome and supportive. She loves to see her friends succeed and accomplish their goals."
 
Salley retired from the Marine Corps after serving 20 years, and is now a spouse to an active duty Marine. She is also a mother to three girls, aged 11, 13, and 15. Naturally, as any Marine and military spouse would, Sally adapts to any situation. Moving to San Diego proved difficult for a job in teaching, so she is going back to school to pursue a career in ultrasound imaging. “As I am reflecting on my career, what I have done or accomplished or not done, what comes to mind is that LIFE is a career. Every decision you make, the paths you follow, and those you meet along the way all impact your everyday of life.”

​Salley grew up in Hawaii with her dad being in the Navy. With her childhood and personal career, she understands the importance of a support network. “I believe that becoming a member of SW has helped me to get better adjusted to this move far faster than any move I have made in the last 25 years.  The fact that SW is global means that no matter where you go you will always be a part of the community and will always be welcomed with open arms even before you move.”
 
Salley has always been a runner. “I was always running somewhere, it was a way for me to be free with my thoughts and ideas. I have always loved running and it has always been a part of my life.  It has been the one thing I can always count on being there for me no matter where life take me.” She also played softball, surfed, and anything else outdoors. Team sports such as cross country and track were natural choices. Salley’s first marathon was at age 18, the Honolulu Marathon. “I think that is when I got hooked on the longer distances.”
 
Looking for more challenge, Salley jumped up her mileage and terrain with trail running in the 1990s. Salley has run several ultra-marathons that include 50ks, 50-milers, and has even made the amazing leap to 100 miles. “I always had it in the back of my head to run 100 miles non-stop.  Being in the Marine Corps at times made it hard to put in the time needed on my feet to accomplish this goal.  Then I had kids and life just seemed to get in the way.  When I moved to Twentynine Palms and was once again unemployed, I made the decision to run the SD100 before I turned 50.  Last year I accomplished that goal.  It was an amazing feeling knowing that no matter your age you can go after your goals.  Since then I have completed two other 100-milers and even got 2nd place female finisher and a PR by 6 hrs.  I am currently training for another 100 in July. This race will be a lot tougher than the others I have done.  My next goal is to run the Bigfoot 200-miler next year.” 

​Salley also opted to add triathlons to her running resume. “The first one was an experience I will never forget.  I chaffed in places I never knew could get chaffed.  So I tried one more time and realized it was not for me.”  
 Twentynine Palms is where Salley met Stroller Warriors by chance during an early morning long run. “I ran along the quiet desert road at 0600 in the morning with an amazing group of women at all levels of running ability.  I was impressed with the ease and support they were giving to each other.  They were so welcoming to me, a stranger who just happened to be going in their direction. Nervous to join the club because she had older children, Salley jumped right in anyway. She has embraced the culture and mission of Stroller Warriors with a passion for the idea that you get out of it what you put into it. “I believe it is a two-lane highway, and as much as they impact me, I impact them along the way.  It is not just a running club, it is much more as is evident in the charities and support that is given to the communities in which they reside in. SW has given me the opportunity to engage with women that I would not have met on my own.”
 
Some favorite Stroller Warrior memories: After a few months with SW, Salley planned to run the OC Marathon. Several SWs were running, so they all carpooled and split a hotel. “We made it a girls’ weekend out.  It was a lot of laughs and close personnel bonding, as we were all sharing beds. In fact I told one of the ladies she was the first person I have had in my bed other than my husband in 20 years.”

While a member of SW Miramar, Salley joined a group to run the Holiday Half Marathon expecting a fun run followed by mimosas and breakfast. It turned out there was a freezing cold 0600 start time and “it took me until mile nine to warm up. Our post-race photo said it all as a big wave washed over us. To this day every time someone mentions this race the only thing I can say is that to think twice when someone says how much fun it will be.”

​Advice for new spouses:
“For all the spouses out there do not be afraid to jump into the unknown.  It will turn out to be the best thing for you.  SWs are all about getting involved and connected to your community and learning about the resources that are available to you.  They will be there for you when you’re sick, tired, overwhelmed, hurting and when your spouse deploys.  They will cheer you on, cry with you, pick you up when you stumble, laugh with you, and sit in silence with you.  Do not be intimidated by what they can do or how fast they are, but be encouraged by the journey they will take you on.  Remember a mile is always a mile no matter how long it takes a person to get there.”
 
Fun Facts:
Favorite place to be is usually on a mountain top.
Completed an ECO challenge, which was a 7 day race from Durango, CO to Albuquerque, NM.  
Has run marathons is 7 different countries
Completed the R2R2R which is a run in the Grand Canyon (this is running from ridge to ridge to ridge of the Grand Canyon...check it out at www.r2r2r.org)
Donated road racing medals to the charity Medals 4 Medals…over 3 totes full of them!
Fastest marathon at 2:48 and slowest was at 5:20.  
Fastest 5k was 18:22 and slowest was at 26:45.  
“I have realized thru out the years it is no longer about how fast you are or in my case was, but the journey it takes to be able to run another day.”  

​Thank you, Salley, for sharing your story and becoming such an integral part of our community!