Can you believe that Christmas is just 5 days away?! Are you looking for last minute ideas for a runner in your life? Or is someone special in your life looking for ideas to fill YOUR stocking? We have some great ideas to share!  Feel free to share our list with your someone special. Be sure to be very specific so they know exactly what to get you.  Please add any ideas you have in the comments below; we'd love to know what you have had your eye on this year!

Gift Certificate to Run a 2019 Race with a Friend
My most memorable races are the ones I have trained for and/or completed with a friend by my side.  A gift certificate to run a race (and possibly a coupon for a babysitter, if needed) would be a wonderful gift and memory for anyone on your list!

Sunglasses
Sunglasses protect your eyes and make your runs oh so much more enjoyable. GoodR brand have become popular as of late, while my Oakleys have served me well for many years… Roka and Nike are some other options to check out too. 

Magazine Subscription
Everyone loves snail mail, motivation and encouragement!  Consider a fitness magazine subscription – Runner’s World, Women’s Running, Men’s Running, Trail Runner, etc.

Small Foam Roller or Lacrosse Ball
Foam rollers or stick rollers, like a Tiger Tail Massage Stick, and lacrosse balls are just a few of the items that you can roll over various areas of your body, to help break up adhesions and scar tissue and speed up the healing and recovery process after your workout. Newer models of foam rollers and balls have heating elements (heated via the microwave) or vibrating elements. There is some great new technology out there for rollers! 

Massage Gift Certificate
Many rarely take enough time to slow down and get a massage for themselves, but if it’s already paid for… we are more likely to go and enjoy, right?! As an added bonus you can throw in the offer for free child care if needed.

Headbands
I think we all tend to find our favorites, Hippie Runner, Bondi Band, etc., but if you want to get crafty... check out a previous blog, by Stroller Warriors current CEO, Kelly, who walks you step by step, on how to make your own!

Photo Christmas Ornament
Does your runner friend or family member have a 2018 race that they made many memories training for and running… find the perfect finisher photo, or group photo and make it into an ornament! I used MPix for the ornament above. :) But here is another option from Hallmark that might work just as well. 

 Self-Defense Items
Please research to be aware of local laws and regulations before purchasing any self defense items. As military families we move around a lot and the regulations change based on the State or Country you live in. Unfortunately, if you run alone, which at some point, we all do, a little extra protection could help save your life.  My husband got me this Go Guarded finger knife (see photo) a few Christmases ago and I love it!  It has varying sizes to fit on any finger.

Here is a link to the one I have have as well as a few other links with various options for you to explore.

Go Guarded

Pepper Spray (type item)

A little extra kick for your kicks…

Socks and Hair Ties
I don’t know what it is about these two items, but they are always disappearing and needing to be replaced.  Be sure to share the specifics about your favorite kind of socks, because we all have that special type and brand that we run best in – maybe it’s cotton, sweat wicking material or maybe wool, depending on the season. Maybe you like arch support or compression socks. There are lots of variety and options out there. Even buying your favorites to share with someone else is a great gift idea! 

Race Medal Coasters
I saw this being shared on Facebook and thought it was a great idea! What a wonderful conversation starter these would be sitting on your coffee table. Be aware though, some of your bling may be too big. For the company I linked, the medals have to be “up to 3.75″ in diameter and 0.5″ thick” or they won’t fit. 

Reusable Water Bottle
Last year I received a Hydro Flask and have really enjoyed having COLD water to drink all throughout the day! There are many brands, with all kinds of different tops and exterior colors and designs.  You might even want to ask for a handheld water bottle for running that can hold your phone too - so many options!

Run SANS Stroller Coupons
While running with the stroller makes Stroller Warriors who we are… it is always refreshing to run sans stroller too! You get to see just how much that extra weight has been helping your endurance and let’s be real, it’s nice to not have to hand snacks to anyone and get lost in your own thoughts.

Headphones
While I usually run with just one ear bud in, so I can hear things going on around me, wireless headphones would be an upgrade to consider.  And if you really want to bring it up a level, check out AfterShokz wireless headphones. (Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds)

Stroller Warriors® Gear
I don't believe you can ever have TOO much Stroller Warriors gear.... so that is always a great gift option! There is something for everyone... Moms, Dads, Mini Warriors, buttons, tote bags, mugs, a bandana for your four-legged running partner and even maternity wear. Check it all out here.  

Fitness Tracker
Last, but certainly not least, if you really want to go BIG on a stocking stuffer… a fitness tracker type watch! Garmin and Apple are probably the top two brand names. Both offer many models with a multitude of different features! Some can even run your music playlist while tracking your run. Research and compare to find the best fit for your favorite runner.

By Amy A.

To explain how Stroller Warriors® Eielson was founded, I have to go back to before I knew anything about this running club. I was living in Ohio and still new to distance running when I ran a 10K race. I ran it by myself and struggled every step past 1 mile. I remember feeling accomplished that I finished, but frustrated that it was so HARD. The very next weekend, I went to run with a friend of mine and a group of ladies who called themselves Marathon Moms. We chatted, shared our struggles and before I knew it, I had ran the exact same distance that was so hard for me the weekend prior. That is when I first saw the value of community and support when it comes to distance running. Just a couple weeks later, I went on to run 8 miles “just because” with someone from the same group. Through that winter, I learned to love running in all types of weather and circumstances. I did several runs, and a couple races, in the snow; thus jump starting my love of winter running. With good company by my side, running was an adventure and so much fun.

We moved to Alaska the following spring and I dove into racing in our new home. It wasn’t the same. I went to several local races alone, and while they were fun, I missed my people. Talking with my friend from Ohio, she mentioned starting a group of my own in Alaska. I laughed. Who was I to start a running group? I was still pretty new to distance running.

That winter I was reading my new Runner’s World magazine and I came across an article about this running club, Stroller Warriors. I remember reading Stephanie’s words and mentally agreeing with and seconding everything she said. The article mentioned that you could find a complete list of active chapters on their website. Of course I immediately went to see if Eielson was on there. It wasn’t. There was an e-mail listed with instructions to inquire about starting a chapter in your location. I don’t really know what I thought the result of my e-mail would be, but I assure you it was not what I got. They wanted ME to start the chapter. Me.

After talking it over with my husband, who has always been the biggest supporter of my endeavors, I decided to apply. I figured they wouldn’t hire me but at least I could say I tried.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the e-mail informing me that they did, in fact, want me to start a chapter at Eielson. The next few months were overwhelming as I prepared to launch this new chapter of Stroller Warriors. It felt a little foreign because I had not actually been to a workout at a chapter, so I was building this based on my mentor, Kelly’s, guidance.

The day before I was set to launch the Facebook page for Stroller Warriors Eielson, I had a health scare. I was 11 weeks pregnant and ended up spending the day in the ER with a threatened miscarriage. Over the next weeks and months I had a rough pregnancy and woke up every morning wondering if I would still be pregnant that day. The doctors couldn’t tell me anything definitively. After talking with Kelly and Stephanie, we decided to postpone the launch until my pregnancy was over and I had time to heal. After a scary arrival, and a week in the NICU, Addison was born and the both of us were on the path to healing.

It took me a long time to understand the benefits of waiting to launch SW Eielson. For a while I was angry and frustrated, but then I saw the value in getting an entire year to fall in love with this running club that I was about to be leading. I needed that time to learn more about Stroller Warriors so that I could adequately support its mission and be the best leader possible for our chapter. I also needed to learn about the struggles of Alaska and how to better encourage people through them. It was during this time I fell in love with everything about our location and gained the desire to help others love it as well.

I was raised by a mother who always finds the good in every situation. She always says that you can do anything for X amount of time. I moved to Alaska with the mindset of, “I can do anything for 3 years.” By the time we left, I could not believe I had to leave behind a place I grew to love so much. I believe all things happen for a reason, and while the circumstances of my pregnancy were not the best, in the end everything turned out the way it needed to. This is not to say that my circumstances happened BECAUSE of what I needed to learn, but instead I chose to learn from my situation.

When the day came for SW Eielson’s inaugural workout, on May 4, 2016, I was better prepared because of the time I had to prepare. I was able to lead our amazing Warriors for a year and watch them thrive in a place that could easily suck all motivation from you. I have never met a stronger, more motivating group of people than the Warriors at SW Eielson.

There were days when I canceled workouts because the temps were below -30, but they showed up to the gym anyway and drug me with them. People may not realize it, but for about 8 months of the year, Eielson Warriors run on a small indoor track. It takes a lot of mental strength and flexibility to stay motivated in such circumstances. 50 laps to get in a 10K may seem daunting, but with Warriors by your side, it’s not bad at all!

My story with Stroller Warriors varies a lot from most chapter founders. Most fall in love with SW, and upon PCSing decide to start a chapter in their new location. I will be forever grateful that SW took a chance on me, someone completely new, and allowed me the privilege of founding and leading a chapter in Eielson, Alaska. It warms my heart to see the chapter still thriving, 2.5 years later. My life has been forever changed because of the people and my experiences with this club. It really is so much more than a running club.

Amy may have sinced moved from Eielson, Alaska, but her dedication to Stroller Warriors has continued and we are incredibly grateful! Amy is  an important member of our Stroller Warriors Headquarters Team where she serves as a Regional Mentor and our Gear Guru, as well as weighs in on all Headquarters topics.  As a Regional Mentor she helps found chapters and interviews potential candidates, as well as mentors them throughout their tenure as a Coordinator. As our Gear Guru she has helped create the SW heart "We run free, because of the Brave!", Runopoly and Marine Corps Marathon logos you find in our Spreadshirt store - HERE! She also updates the Spreadshirt site with various options and sizes, as well as adds seasonal gear; Christmas, Valentines, etc. 

Amy has inspired us all this summer with her marathon comeback during the Marine Corps Marathon. Her Air Force Marathon in September had been cut short by race directors due to unsafe course conditions. Undeterred, even in spite of a nagging injury, Amy signed up for and ran the Marine Corps Marathon alongside numerous fellow Stroller Warriors.

Amy, we are so proud of all you have accomplished as a runner, and as a Stroller Warrior. You are truly leaving the world a better place than you have found it. We will forever be thankful that you chose to dedicated your time and talents to our running club! 

If you’re a Chapter Founder and would like your story featured please email me at Paige.swglobal@gmail.com! If you’re interested in founding a chapter and bringing Stroller Warriors to your location, please follow these instructions.