Resiliency and strength are what comes to mind when reflecting upon Stroller Warriors® in 2022. 

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After two years of waiting and ever-changing health-protocol guidance, 2022 was the year that ALL our chapters were able to host in-person events for Stroller Warriors.  Running together during a road race, or as part of a Ragnar team, once again became normal occurrences.  Additionally, we accomplished numerous C25K sessions and celebratory graduation runs, members began staying longer after the workouts to connect with friends- old and new- while the little ones ran around the playground, and we resumed holiday gatherings with the Stroller Warriors family.  After the world paused for COVID-19, both our volunteers and members remained resilient, bringing back these types of moments in 2022 that make Stroller Warriors a resilient and dynamic community.    

Virtually, Stroller Warriors continued to create strong connections.  Our 3rd annual Global Holiday Scavenger Hunt gave Stroller Warrior members a chance to connect virtually with running friends from earlier chapters— countless Stroller Warrior friends were delighted to see familiar Stroller Warrior faces running and keeping the community alive in an entertaining fashion…this year we had a record number of participants!  The Run the World campaign has been, and still is, proving to be a smashing success with our members recently running a cumulative mileage exceeding the span of the Pacific Ocean— connecting Stroller Warriors Oak Harbor to Stroller Warriors Yokosuka! 
 
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In 2022 Stroller Warriors proved that we could thrive.  Our hope for 2023 is to continue to run happy and enrich our friendships and military community by knowing the Stroller Warriors family is here— welcoming all with open arms.  Come and run with us! 

It’s the most RUNderful time of the year!  Are family members and friends wondering what to give you for Christmas?  No problem!  Stroller Warriors® HQ has a list of suggestions! 
 
Reading:
Read/learn about running tips, gear, or inspirational stories with a subscription to Runner’s World Magazine, or become food inspired with quick and healthy weeknight meals from Diane Walker:

• Runner’s World Subscription
• Danielle Walker's Healthy in a Hurry: Real Life. Real Food. Real Fast

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Mobility:
Runners with plantar fasciitis know the importance of stretching the foot before getting out of bed, prior to running, and continually throughout the day.  HQ has two recommendations to help relieve the discomfort from plantar fasciitis:

• Plantar fasciitis night splint
• Vive calf stretcher for both feet

​Most of us Stroller Warriors would love a massage after a long run; however, scheduling a massage during the week is sometimes impossible.  Here are 3 at-home massage device suggestions to add to your holiday wish list:

• Back and Neck Massager from InvoSpa
• Cincom Foot and Leg Massager
• RENPHO Eye Massager with Heat​​

Nighttime Running Gear:
 
Visibility while running and/or biking during non-daylight hours is imperative for safety.  Add a NOX Gear vest to your holiday wish list for yourself, family members, and fury friends to stay bright, blinking, visible, and safe during non-daylight hours.  Additionally, bike lights by ACTIV Life provide great visibility while biking!

• Nox Gear Tracer 2
• NOX Gear Light Hound
• Activ Life 2-Tire Pack LED Bike Wheel Lights

Running Accessories and Attire:
 
The colder season months are here and it is important to dress for the weather — layers of clothing, stocking hat, gloves, running jacket, but what about bottoms?  Enter BALEAF fleece lined leggings!  These have become a favorite of many Stroller Warriors members!

• BALEAF Fleece Lined Leggings

 
An extra measure of self-defense protection is imperative when running solo.  A self-defense tool would be a great accessory to have when running solo, even if it offers even the slightest amount of added security. 

• Running self-defense tools from Go Guarded

 
Phone, keys, and ID are items that stroller runners would typically place at the bottom of the jogging stroller.  How can runners stay hands-free when running stroller free?  The Flipbelt is a brilliant running accessory—worn around the waste and plenty of storage for the aforementioned items. 

• Flipbelt

 
Many runners love running or walking while listening to podcasts or a favorite album, but they still need to hear the noises from the surrounding environment.  Both of the following options provide your favorite tunes and podcasts without completely blocking outside sounds.

• Nox Gear 39g Running Speaker with Magnetic Clip
• Shokz Open Ear Headphones

Skin Protection:
Sunscreen is important to apply before heading out for a run — for both runners and kids!   This sunblock is easy to apply— just spray and swipe! 

• Kinesys Sunblock 

What would you add to the list?  Please share!  Cheers to running over the holidays and striding into the New Year!
 
Disclaimer:  Stroller Warriors® does not endorse any of the above products.  These are the personal views of Stroller Warriors members.  

After a year of uncertainty, 2021 was the year the light started to shine again, and for our Stroller Warriors® community, it meant a long-anticipated return to in-person runs with our people.  The running world began resuming in-person events and our members were hungry to restart training and running races with friends!  

Throughout 2021, our Stroller Warriors members continually demonstrated their enduring dedication and resilient fortitude— eagerly organizing weekly in-person meetups and pivoting to virtual workouts if needed; creating chapter challenges to keep members engaged; bringing back the C25K sessions to unite members old and new, and; committing to local and military charity outreach by organizing events with no-contact porch pick-up options. 

Stroller Warriors is managed and operated by a committed all-volunteer force that strongly believes in the Stroller Warriors mission of creating happy and healthy military families through running.  Thank you to our volunteers and members for your selfless and endless efforts to make these 2021 Stroller Warriors by the numbers possible.

2021 Stroller Warriors by the Numbers:
1 Gift of a Thule stroller
4 B210K sessions
8 Gifts of BOB strollers
8 chapters offering a stroller loaner program
12 C2Crazy finishers
22 B210K graduates
41 C25K sessions
58 Meal trains organized for SW members
70 volunteer hours to local community organizations (not including SW volunteer hours)
71 Coordinators
93 items donated amongst Stroller Warriors members
159 Mini-mile participants
171 Workout Leaders
199 Mileage incentive participants
238 C25K graduates​
660 pairs of shoes collected and donated
731 active members
1,499 items donated to various charities
1,929 miles ran by SW mini warriors
$6,153.69 donated to various charities
79,252.31 incentive miles ran

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​Stroller Warriors chapters supported the following organizations and causes through charitable donations, volunteer work, and/or dedication runs:
Alimanu Elementary School
American Cancer Society
Camp Peace and Hope
Carteret Partnership for Children
Chesapeake Preschool Initiative
CHEW
Cure SMA
Earth Day Plogging Run
Emmy’s Rustic Run
Fleet Feet
Foodbank of Southeast Virginia
Help Oki
Hope for the Warriors
K9 for Warriors
My Sister’s House
OCC
Operation Care and Comfort
Project Superhero
Purple Up for Military Children
REACH Program Hampton Roads
Retty, Set, Cure
Run for Steph
Runners Hawaii
Soldiers Angels
Soles for Souls
St. Stephen’s CARE Center
TAPS
Toys for Tots
USO
Veterans Transition Center
 
Stroller Warriors would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following groups and businesses—thank you for your support, thank you for believing in us, and thank you for helping the Stroller Warriors community flourish:
Coastal Carolina Designs
Danielle J from Ramé Events
First Landing State Park
FOCUS Yuma
Grounded Running
J+A Racing
Manhattan Running Company
MCCS Iwakuni Semper Fit
Pensacola Double Bridge 9k
PCS Grades
 Run with It
Seaside School Half Marathon

Thank you Stroller Warriors friends and fans for a successful 2021!  We look forward to logging many more miles with the Stroller Warriors community and beyond!  

Happy Running,
​Rose