We’ve all made mistakes in life, in careers, in running. Mistakes are just a part of life, a part of being human. We’re not perfect as much as we’d love to be. We are imperfect beings and that’s the way God made us. The best part about life, though, is that we have the ability to help one another, the ability to learn, to adapt, and to change. So I’m going to share with you five of my running mistakes with the hope that you will take these lessons and learn from them, too.
 
Mistake #1: Running in the wrong shoes.
When I started running (at age 26) I didn’t realize the importance of running in shoes that were a good fit for ME. So I put on any sneakers I had and started to run. I was able to complete my running goal to build up to running a full marathon, but along the way I developed plantar fasciitis. This resulted in many painful mornings, many painful runs, physical therapy, and visits with the podiatrist. I didn’t know I had a high arch and needed shoes with high arch support that were designed for a runner with a neutral stride. It’s worth it to see an expert and get an idea of what kind of shoes you need for your feet.

​You may know this story all too well. You get whisked away by a handsome Marine to a tropical island, far away from your family. You start a fairy tale family together only to have it constantly interrupted by things like deployments and field exercises. All the while, you are finding your footing in a new world, you maybe start an intermittent career of your own, go back to school, raise children, figure out life, and make some friends along the way.

Stephanie lives this story and makes it look easy. She's proof that with a good dose of positive mental attitude and a supportive community, that not-so-tropical island experience can turn in the best blessing you never imagined.
 
Stephanie has been married to her Marine for four years. She learned of his plans for an upcoming island adventure during her pregnancy, and began the grand getaway with a four month old baby in tow. Imagine the feeling of moving half way around the world with your newborn baby, far away from your family and friends. Many of us don’t have to imagine it. Many of us succumb to the urge of holing up in our new house, frantically trying to feel settled. However, prior to the move, Stephanie was linked up with Stroller Warriors® Okinawa, and she instantly had a family of runners to support in this huge transition. Stephanie couldn’t wait to get out start meeting new friends and start running! Stephanie has been a Stroller Warrior since 2014. “I don't mean this lightly when I say that moving to Okinawa and becoming a part of Stroller Warriors has changed my life. I have grown so much as a mother and wife, but I have also really found myself and gained important traits I have always lacked: confidence, discipline, perseverance, and so many other valuable life lessons. Through the women whose journeys I witnessed as I was starting out, I was able to learn so much. It's an interesting pattern--when you are starting out you see the women who are already moving along in their journeys and you wonder how in the world you could get to that point, if it's even possible. Then as you surround yourself with these positive and encouraging people they just start to rub off on you.” 

​Prior to joining SW, Stephanie had never run a 5k. “In school I was not very athletic. I didn't really like sports; although, I did play basketball for a couple years in middle school and freshman year. I started track and made excuses to quit that, too! I lacked self-discipline when it came to sports. I would quit when I wasn't sure if I could do something, so I never knew what I was capable of! After graduating I started to a little more, although I never ran enough to consider myself a runner. The thing I loved most about it was just being outdoors and enjoying nature.” 
 
However, after joining Stroller Warriors, Stephanie started with the Couch to 5K program. From there her endurance grew right along with a heavy dose of motivation. “The moment that made me feel the most joy was my first 10 mile run. I was so nervous! I ended up doing it by myself and in the rain. Once I hit the halfway point I don't think I stopped smiling for those last 5 miles home. I couldn't believe it was happening! That was the moment that running became so important to me. I loved setting goals and hitting so many running milestones!” Stephanie went on to complete greater distances including the marathon and the Kadena to Okuma run (about 75 kilometers). “The ultramarathon was also another a huge milestone and one of my favorite memories. There had to of been at least 20 or 30 people that ran with us that day…and by the time the sun went down and we had our last 6 miles or so it was tough. So incredibly tough. Our bodies were shutting down. We were physically and mentally drained, and we just wanted to reach Okuma and see our families! We could have stopped at any point, but we had a goal to get there and we pushed through with everything we had!” 

Stephanie has loved every moment of being a mother, and feels blessed to be able to stay home with her daughter and explore the land and beauty of Okinawa. She is also working toward a certification as a personal trainer. This allows the best of both worlds in being home with her daughter and working in a field she is passionate about. It also allows her to incorporate fitness as a lifestyle rather than an afterthought. Stephanie loves making fitness a family affair, and hopes to inspire her daughter to be passionate about her health.
 
What Stroller Warriors Means To Me:
“Military life already turns friends into family from move to move, but when you become part of Stroller Warriors that bond becomes even greater. We make friends, we watch our kids grow up together, we share so much during training runs, we help get each other out of bed before sunrise to beat as much of the heat as we can, we lift each other up, we have the best conversations from the simplest things to the deepest, and after you run 6,13, 26, or even 48 miles together there is a lifelong friendship with someone who is always there to keep you going and vice versa.” 
 
Advice to a New Military Spouse:
“If I could give any advice to a new military spouse it would be to just enjoy the journey. Embrace everything that is thrown at you and see the beauty in the good and the hard times. The people you surround yourself with are inevitably going to reflect how you perceive life's crazy adventures, and you can choose to enthusiastically accept the curve balls that will be thrown at you or you can let it bring you down. Find a group that you can lean on!”
 
 
Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your story! You are a ball of positive energy, and we can all soak up a bit of your spirit!