The fun thing about running is that there is no shortage of running goals one can achieve. If you’re like me, your running career can start out innocently enough. The 5ks and mud runs first drew me in, then I set my sights on a marathon. With each marathon training run, I achieved a new distance - 10k, a half marathon, longest run ever, reaching the 20 mile marker, and finally the big 26.2!. For me reaching goals pushes me harder to reach the next goal.  Before I knew it I was reaching for my biggest goal yet: an ultra marathon. 

Ultra marathon training went surprisingly well, especially since I was battling both an achilles and knee injury while training. Pool running and Physical Therapy were my saving graces.  I was able to maintain optimal fitness for my race while letting my body heal. I achieved my goal and had a great first ultra marathon experience and finish. After the race, I had a 7-day runners high - I was elated for completing such a feat that my running friend convinced me to sign up for another ultra a month away.  My friend and I thought the second ultra would be easier than the first. The trail for the race wasn’t as technical and it was in our own backyard. This meant more sleeping time prior to the start. Or so I thought!

Leading up to my ultra,  I wasn’t feeling well. I had  an awful sinus headache and pain, but pushed the home remedies and persevered. On the eve of the race, I wasn’t feeling well; but I have NEVER backed out of a race and couldn’t bring myself to throw in the towel before the race even started. 

Race morning I woke up and snuck off with my friends to race. My 1 year-old wasn’t awake so I skipped our morning nursing session and jumped in the car with my friends. At the start, it was cold and I wasn’t feeling well but made the call to run regardless of my sinus pain.

I didn’t feel like myself the whole race, but at the 10 mile marker I knew I was in trouble. I felt semi delirious and had pain with every step. Despite the pain, I kept running in hopes the pain would even out or go away… but it didn’t. Where was my pain you ask? In my breast. Skipping the morning nursing session was a horrible idea and I knew from my symptoms and from previous experiences that I was developing mastitis. At mile 14 I called my husband in a panic and asked him to come to the next aid station at mile 26… I needed to nurse the baby. My friend and I trucked on as best we could. We rolled into the 26 mile aid station and I was so excited and thankful to see my husband with the baby! But unfortunately for me my daughter was not interested in nursing AT ALL. I tried nursing again and again. After several minutes I gave up and set her free. My husband could tell I didn’t feel well and urged me to quit. The thought of not finishing what I started ate at my soul and I assured him I’d be fine. 

At mile 27 my friend suggested I step off the trail and hand express milk to get a bit of relief.  At that point, I only wanted to get to the finish line that was 5 miles away. I was so delirious I hardly remember the rest of course. I have one memory of seeing the down hill stretched in front of us and telling my friend I’d rather roll down it. I love downhill running! It’s one of the times I feel most free and light, so not wanting to run a down hill is definitely not me! She laughed and encouraged me to roll. So I laid down on the trail and rolled down the hill.  I learned why that wasn’t a good idea in the deserts of California… I got a million prickly hitchhikers on my clothes and had to pick them off for the rest of the race. If you watch the video below, you'll notice I am using my elbows to protect my chest as I roll down the hill. Extra pain? No thank you! 

​At some point I couldn’t run anymore and encouraged my friend to forge ahead without me. I walked the most I’ve ever walked in a race and cried from the pain as I walked. I finished the race, cleaned up and went to the doctor. I was told that not only did I have mastitis, I had a sinus infection as well! It was a rough recovery, but I’m so thankful for modern medicine and the ability to heal. 

This ultra marathon taught me that I can gut out a 5k if I’m not feeling well. I even can gut out a 10k. However, it is NOT recommended to gut out a 50k! This race taught me when to listen to my body. If I could have a re-do I would have stayed in bed and nursed my baby rather than gone for a 50k race!

Have you had a race teach you a lesson? If so, tell us about it! 

I’ve successfully nursed four children now and have nursed my way through many a training season for races ranging from the 5k and triathlon to the ultra marathon. This is my personal account and my personal suggestions for a successful nursing while training season. As always talk with you doctor and make personal decisions for yourself and your family.

1. Hydrate! Hydration is so important for your body to be able to perform optimally both for running and for nursing. Don’t just drink water, remember to replace the electrolytes and sodium you lose through running as well.

​2. Don’t just hydrate well, fuel yourself well too. You need to have fuel in the tank to be burning the candle on both ends. With adequate hydration and nutrition, your milk supply should be perfectly fine. If you notice a decrease in your supply, take a look at your nutrition/hydration and talk to your doctor. 

3. On long run days, nurse or pump before you have to leave. Wake up a little bit earlier and dream feed or nurse before you go. Heading out empty will decrease your risk of developing mastitis or a clogged duct. 

4. Take your children with you when/if you can. Over the years my children have come to love the stroller. When my husband and I wanted to both train for the same ultra, and we also had 3 children under the age of 5 we decided to take them with us. We’d leave for a run as a family and whenever the baby wanted to nurse we’d all stop on the trail and rehydrate together. Nursing pit stops are totally okay. Pause your watch and relax knowing you’re still burning calories, even while sitting!​

​​5. You can also plan nursing stops. If you know baby needs to eat every three hours, figure out where you will be in three hours and have your spouse meet you for a nursing break. I have found the RunGo app to be incredibly useful for this purpose. I can plan a route and then share my route with others so they can drive along it to catch up to me, wherever I am.

6. Don’t nurse with compression on your breast. Make sure your breasts are not compressed while you nurse! Compression could prevent your breast from fully emptying of milk and risk clogged ducts or mastitis. 
​
7. My favorite nursing sports bra is the moving comfort Juno bra but really anything with velcro on the front straps will do. I love that I can adjust the velcro to how full I am at that moment in time and also that I can disconnect the strap entirely and pull down the bra to nurse without compressing anything. I've heard of other mothers lifting up their bras to nurse. With this strategy you're likely compressing your underarm or breast and making yourself more likely to have clogged ducts or mastitis. 

I have raced as a nursing mother for many, many years and only once had a problem and honesty it was my fault. I was sick to begin with and raced my 50k anyway and didn’t nurse the baby before I headed out. I learned my lesson and never had that happen again! 

I know numerous Stroller Warriors who have successfully nursed through half marathons, full marathons and ultra marathons. My friend Sarah from North Carolina ran the Marine Corps Marathon with a 3 month-old! She had her parents staged at the 13 mile-mark and stepped off the course to nurse before continuing on, nursing again at the finish line. Not all of us have to be like Sarah, but it can be comforting to know that others have gone before you and found ways to be successful.

When there is a will, there is a way, so give yourself and your baby some grace and do your best. Don't be afraid to reach out to your fellow Stroller Warriors for advice and support. Chances are someone else has been there done that and would be happy to share their story. 

Happy Running!
Kelly

Here I have for you, my best tips to running solo: 

1. Practice makes perfect. Don’t give up on one bad run or a week of bad runs. Keep working at it, keep practicing! 
2. How much you like running boils down to what you think about when you run. If you don’t like running solo, chances are you are being mean to yourself when you’re running. Pay attention to your mental voice. What are you saying to yourself? Is it something you’d say to your best friend? If not, then don’t say it! 
3. Listen to pod-casts or an audio book. You can learn a lot and it’s almost similar to running with a friend. 
4. Give yourself grace. Bad runs happen to everyone. Don’t let one run or even a week of runs make or break you.
5. Have fun! Mid run find a spot to plop your phone down and try to get some action shots. You just might make yourself laugh, and you'll have silly photos to remember your run. 
   
6. Pick a goal to work towards. It can be hitting a certain landmark or a certain pace, or to accomplish a certain workout. Set an attainable goal for yourself for each solo run and you’ll feel a lot more accomplished when the run is over. ​
7. Fall in love with running. If you’re running to have friends or running for weight loss, those reasons behind running are short lived and if your duty station changes or you reach your weight goal you may find yourself not running at all. The fact of the matter is though, that running has SO MANY MORE positives than the weight management and the quick friendships you can build. Running is a great stress reliever, it’s a great way to get endorphins. It helps you to clear your mind. It helps you to feel accomplished when you set goals and reach them. Running can and should be about so much more than weight loss. You have to change how your mind thinks about running, and change what your mind thinks about when you run in order to make this happen. 
   

You can do it! Fall in love with running, fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body and spirit! 

Happy Running!
Kelly ​

When my family and I PCSd to Okinawa, Japan, I was unsure of what to expect as a runner. After some time here, I was excited to learn that the running and racing community is very rich here. From little kids to grandparents, everyone is out running and participating in races. Even individuals with special needs are encouraged to enter and run races! The 3.8K races here, while they are predominately children (and sometimes but not always their parents), they also are for individuals with special needs. You will see individuals with special needs and their guides running along, happily together. That is something that I have never seen in the US but wish that I could see. I think running and exercise is beneficial to everyone!

I love watching the locals and learning from them, it’s amazing what you can learn when you pay attention! I talked with Stroller Warriors from Iwakuni and Zama to compare and contrast experiences. So here we have for you, our lessons learned about running in Japan.

Attire: It’s HOT in Okinawa with high temperatures and 100% humidity. You’d think all runners would be wearing as little clothing as possible. That’s not so in Japan! Japan is a very modest culture and community and taking your shirt off to run is unheard of (unless you’re an American who doesn’t know any better). Even in high heat with high humidity you will see Japanese locals running or walking in long pants and long sleeves. At a minimum they will have shorts and t-shirts on. Usually they won’t even have sweat stains on their clothes. How so, you ask? A Japanese friend once told me they have the same concept as maxi pads but to stick to the underarms of your shirts to collect the sweat. Stroller Warriors who have lived on mainland Japan report the Japanese dress modestly while exercising there as well.

Safety: Japan is a lot safer than the US. I have never been cat called at or followed while running in Japan and neither have Mallory, Colleen and Katie who were stationed in mainland, Japan. Whether you’re in Okinawa or on mainland, Japan, chances are you will feel a lot safer while running solo. If I run early in the morning or late at night I’m not nervous about getting attacked by a human (though I am still on alert!). Instead, my mind is worried about habu snakes (that are nocturnal and incredibly territorial in addition to being one of the most venomous snakes).  I still prefer to run in the company of others, but I love feeling safe in the community I run in!

Japanese runners don’t break the road laws. If the light is red, that means stop and all of the Japanese runners will stop at each red light until the cross-walk man tells you that you can go. American’s wouldn’t think twice about crossing the street if the roads were clear, but the Japanese will stop and wait. Katie had a situation where a local screamed at her for a couple minutes because she ran across a bridge and crossed at a crosswalk when the walk man was red. If you are new to Japan, you may not realize that they take following the road laws seriously for pedestrians and bicyclists, not just cars.​

Be very careful when crossing the street. Cars drive on the left side of the road here. So remember how you learned how to look both ways before crossing the street? Well now, you have to start with the opposite way first! You need to look right, left and then right again. You’ll get used to it after a while, and when you move back Stateside, you’ll have to get used to it all over again!

Cross the road, closer to the road, not closer to the building. This is a tip I learned from watching the locals. If you cross closer to the building you are moving from a blind spot right out into the danger zone in the blink of an eye. To make themselves more visible they go out away from the building, towards the street before crossing. 

​Use the mirrors!  In Japan, because there are so many blind spots, the government has put mirrors everywhere to help everyone see better. The mirrors give you a little glimpse into a narrow alley or down a road that’s at a weird angle from you. Use them! If you see movement in the mirror, stop and let them cross first. 

Japanese runners have a tradition of turning after crossing the finish line and bowing to the course. From my understanding, they do not always do this, they only bow to the course when it has been a formidable opponent. On a tough race, like the Shouhashi half marathon in Nanjo, Okinawa you will see whole crowds of people turning to bow to the course. This is good to know so you can slow down and give the people in front of you space after you cross a finish line. They might be stopping and turning when you weren’t expecting it. 

The price of racing is much more reasonable here than in the US. In the US I was paying $180-$220 or so for a full marathon. Here, the price to run a marathon is around $40-$60. It seems that in Japan, the larger the race, the more you can expect to pay to be in it. 

Japan has a rich culture of running and racing and I am so glad I have been able to be a part of it. From glass medals to clay medals, from locals lining the roads during a race to offer trays of salt or brown sugar, to stopping mid race to take a photo with a bull. I’ve gathered up a million memories and experiences I will treasure forever. 

Don’t be afraid to experience something new here in Japan, lace up your shoes and go! 

Happy Running!
Kelly

Today on the blog we have a guest author, Sefra! We don't want to give anything away, so we will let Sefra introduce herself, and tell her story. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 chaos, I wanted to share an uplifting story about my family’s running journey. I am a special needs mom. Both of my twin boys have autism, and other various diagnoses. Our story seems unique, but in reality it is much more common than you would expect.

The boys were born as little preemies in Okinawa, Japan in October 2014. After a month in the NICU, we took our beautiful babies home. By the time they were 15 months, I suspected that they may be delayed. At 18 months, my suspicions were confirmed; the boys were diagnosed with Autism.

My husband was out of the country. My world was turned upside down. I had no idea what to do. I was completely numb, our entire world had changed. I felt completely alone on an island where I barely knew anyone. So, I did what I knew how to do. I loaded the boys into our old, worn-down jogger and I went for a run. I knew I had to process the day’s events. The miles blended together and eventually turned into my first ten mile run.

I couldn’t believe that I ran ten miles. That small victory turned a rough day into a positive one. Running was always our family’s activity. I grew up going to my dad’s races, oftentimes as early as 2:00AM. He is the ultimate runner and my example. It’s funny to think that I used to hate running. After the boys’ diagnosis, I knew I needed to make a change in my life. I decided to pursue running as that change.

A few months after they were diagnosed, we moved to North Carolina, where we expected to get treatment for the boys. Sadly, we didn’t know that the boys also had a severe eating condition. A few short months in NC showed us that we had moved to the wrong place. We even tried going out of state for medical care to treat their feeding issues. Yet, even after a month of out of state intensive therapy, we hadn’t made the progress we needed. So, we requested a humanitarian move to Quantico.

During this whole time, I was a solitary runner. With all the moves, therapy, hospital stays, and constant change in our lives, I didn’t think I would be able to find a running community. It made me concerned that there wasn’t a single running group that would understand my beautiful boys and our lifestyle.

The move to Quantico changed everything. I would go on to realize the benefits a strong running community brings into life. I finally went to a Stroller Warriors workout in 2017. Since then, the relationships I’ve kindled have carried my family through our toughest diagnoses yet. No matter who you are, there are groups that will accept you. I was able to forge my running family, treat my sons and get my family in a better place.

Recently one of our sons went through a traumatic experience. It was so severe, that the breakdown eventually morphed into PTSD with self injurious behavior. During this struggle, our family was emotionally and physically exhausted. We didn’t leave the house and ultimately shut ourselves in. We didn’t know if our baby would come back to us. He seemed like a shell of the little boy we knew. As a mother I wasn’t sure if we would make it. I would spend all night holding him so he didn’t hurt himself.

Getting up the morning after these incidents, I felt completely empty inside. It was like all I had left was the next step in my run. Telling myself, “just one more step and you’ll make it.” That attitude carried into helping my son. Just one more step and it will be okay. Just that one step kept me going. That running mentality forged our outlook -and ultimately our hope- that our son would make it through this storm.

That one step turned into thousands. And now our son is very slowly on his way to recovery. We still have hard days but those are the days I push myself out the door. I know I will be better for it. What I learned from this time was immeasurable. The friendships that I had made through my running journey were the ones that stayed by our sides the most. When we shut ourselves in, they came knocking. The positivity from them became positivity that I was able to bring home.

After everything, running is still my outlet. I started with my first 5K on Kadena Air Base that raised funds for the NICU. Then, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon as my first marathon in hopes of raising awareness for autism. Then I ultimately ran a 50K in Maryland. The 50K was my ultimate challenge, but with great support from friends and family I became an ultra marathoner. I will always be thankful for that experience. Believe it or not, my favorite race was a 4 miler in Fredericksburg, VA. It was a super rainy day but it was one of the few races my husband was able to attend. I was blessed to be able to run it with friends.

This race showed me how capable I can be when I want to. It was my first PR, and I did it with an amazing friend. Our husbands cheered us on at the finish line. It is a memory I will never forget! Thanks to running, I’ve been able to push myself to new heights. Thanks to our running community, and my family, I’ve grown as a mother, a friend and a woman. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Through it all, we have endured stress that is fathomable by few, stress that I would wish on no one. But, I have learned many valuable lessons about myself, my family, and about taking care of us all. Becoming a runner has helped me handle stress in a healthy way. But even I forget things sometimes. I try to follow these key tenants when things get tough!

1. You are enough. Always remember that no matter how hard times get, you can make it through.

2. Your children love you no matter what. This was one of my biggest lessons. Our kids just want to see us happy. Our children’s love is unwavering.

3. Lao Tzu once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Don’t be afraid to take that next step in your running journey. Everything in life starts with, “That first step." Life is full of possibilities, get out there and explore yours.

4. Go to the Stroller Warriors workout. You will make amazing friendships that will help you through your hardest times. They will help you grow as a spouse and as a parent. You won’t regret it!

5. When you’re tired and don’t feel like going, go anyway. I guarantee you will feel better afterwards. These are my biggest mental battles. On the hard days, I have to push myself out of the house and onto the pavement. This gives me the time and space I’ve needed to deal with the day’s (or night’s) events.

6. Surround yourself with positive people. I am extremely lucky to have met some amazing people throughout my running journey. They have uplifted myself and my family in times of need.

7. Listen to yourself. Follow what your mind and body are telling you. This is important. Don’t doubt what your body is telling you. You know your body the best. Listen to it.

8. Laughter and smiles are some of the best medication. The times I am able to run with friends, laugh, and smile are when I feel the best. There is no replacing the therapeutic value of a good laugh.

9. Try that new running adventure ahead of you. You never know what can happen, and you might love it. You might be pleasantly surprised with how much you enjoy it. Plus, you’ll get to see how you’ve grown as a person along the way.

10. Always remember to give yourself time and space for growth. Change doesn’t happen overnight. By giving yourself space to grow, you are setting yourself up for success. This is key to sustaining yourself and your family.

These are just some of the things that I have learned on my running journey. I know that we have a lot ahead and we still have much to learn. Being a mother is an amazing blessing. But being a mother of children with special needs is my biggest blessing of all. I hope I’ve given you a sliver lining for the times ahead. Be kind in time of stress and change. And ultimately, stay safe and enjoy the little things in life for really, those little things are really the big things.

Happy Running!
​Sefra

by Katie P.
Katie is an avid runner, Stroller Warrior Headquarters Team member and mother of 3. She is an alumni member of Stroller Warriors Yuma and the founder of Stroller Warriors Iwakuni.​

​I woke up on Friday the 13th like any other day, and I was becoming superstitious by midday. After my kids got on the school bus, I checked email, read some news, and checked my FB notifications while eating breakfast. Along with my normal invitation notifications from Stroller Warriors chapters around the world, I had almost as many event cancellation notifications. This COVID storm is just beginning in America, and like everyone else, I’ve been trying to get my footing and have a reasonable reaction to this pandemic without acting like a hurricane is on its way (seriously, you cannot possibly need 3 packs of SamsClub toilet paper). By Sunday night, schools were ordered closed by the Governor (in our state - I’m in South Carolina) for the remainder of the month, all youth sports programs were postponed, and ‘social distancing’ was being explained by infectious disease specialists on every news outlet. Schools in other states were closing as well, some for as long as a 6-8 weeks. On Monday night the President announced the CDC recommended shutting down any gathering of more than ten people, which led to Stroller Warriors temporarily putting a hold on all US chapter workouts and events. Every US race scheduled in the next month (or more) has been cancelled, and we’re all on a virtual workout plan. 

Around the world, we’ve watched as our OCONUS chapters and Elsewhere members are in varying states of pandemic preparation or direct response. Japan shut down schools for the month of March, and some of the American bases have some level of ROM (Restriction of Movement) set up for residents returning from travel. Bases in European countries are on full lockdown, and their schools are closed, too. All PCS and non-essential TDY/TAD travel has been cancelled CONUS and OCONUS in an effort to stop this virus.

​My husband and I are both very fact oriented people. I am a former police officer who needs all of the information to make any decision. My husband is a history buff and has been watching YouTube videos of Q&As with infectious disease experts discussing COVID-19 and other diseases we’ve seen over the past few hundred years. We made a plan for the inevitable school closure for our kids and possible work shutdown for myself, and considering adjusting Spring break travel plans. And we’re running. We’re running every day we’ve planned, and were lucky enough to race last weekend at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, where some smaller races were still being held prior to the increase in cases. I have never felt so grateful for the fresh air, cool breeze, and free post-race beer! We enjoyed our time racing (my husband hit a PR and placed 1st in his age group, and while I didn’t PR, I did reach my day’s goal with a minute to spare), relaxing afterward as we watched other runners finish, and discussing this wild ride the world is on at the moment. We brought some levity to the discussion with some silly internet memes about toilet paper and T-Rex, but really, things are seemingly quite serious.

The past few weeks, we’ve watched as the running world has all but shut down every large running event scheduled for the next few months. I have seen countless Warriors posting about missing their races and the devastation they feel not being able to run their planned race. I have felt helpless and sad for my fellow runners. 

​I’ve seen our combined reaction as Stroller Warriors members and leadership. Initially when it was only the big races that were cancelled, and otherwise life was proceeding as normal, I watched as our Coordinators, Workout Leaders, and Volunteer Staff set up water stations and planned virtual races and potlucks and BBQs for their fellow Warriors. I received a message from one of our coordinators asking for guidance after she’d come up with a plan – a plan that put her own race needs aside to give her team a fighting chance at the normalcy racing together brings us. I watched in the aftermath how their team was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to run their ‘race’ despite the disheartening conditions. They made that race happen for one another. We've seen Stroller Warriors starting 'virtual relays' where one by one they run miles and pass a virtual baton for the next person person to 'grab' and keep running. In the midst of all of the shut downs Stroller Warriors are still holding virtual workouts, relays, and challenges. They are supporting each other and sharing resources on home schooling. They are there for each other, both in running and in life.

​This COVID-19 situation is terrible. The virus has killed many and there is no doubt more will perish as we fight as a society to figure out life with this in the mix. Since becoming a runner, I have learned the strength of this team – the runner’s team. I have learned that together, we are stronger than we could ever be alone. We run faster and farther because of one another, and we continuously raise each other up when we are down. Our Fearless Leaders are some of the luckiest leaders in the world; they have the support of incredible volunteers and members who all truly have a common goal – our goal to ensure a healthier world for each of us and our children. 2020 may be the year that life gave us lemons, but Stroller Warriors, y’all are making some awesome lemonade and I am so proud to be among you. 

Sending my best from the low country to Stroller Warriors around the world – rock on Warriors! Whether you’re running laps in your driveway, a 5K at the track, a 10K on your garage treadmill, a half marathon on a one mile base loop, we’re all cheering for you this season. 

 I took about 20 steps backwards and by this point the trail had curved around the mountain enough that they couldn’t see me anymore. I turned and started running back to camp as quickly as possible. I knew I had at least one wolf to my right and above me, and several behind me. As I continued around the curve of the mountain, I practically jumped when a wolf came around the corner, RUNNING RIGHT AT ME. Instinctively, I threw my hands up really big and yelled as loud as I could, “GET BACK!!!!!” 

My heart raced. I had wolves behind me, one to the side and now one was in front of me/to the side! The wolf bared it’s teeth at me and jumped to the side, running off the path, down the mountain.​

I was really worried now that they were going to come at me again, but as a pack. So I picked up the pace, scanning the ground quickly as I ran. I found two big sticks and scooped them up as I ran. I held one in each hand as I ran, feeling somewhat comforted by the fact that I sort of had a weapon now.  

You bet your bottom dollar I negative split my run and made it back to camp far faster than I had made it out! Thankfully other than my initial wolf pack encounter my run back was completely uneventful. I had to find another route to run for my last two miles to get me to 10 miles but it’s okay. I lived to tell the tale of the day I met a pack of wolves out on the trail!

Before you go, let’s talk about what you can do to stay safe out on those trails.
1. Run with friends. 
2. Run with water/food. I always wear my camel back or bring water on trail runs, even if it’s just a few miles I have planned. You never know when you might make a bad turn and get lost. You never know how long you might be lost. Better to be prepared, just incase.​
3. Run with a whistle. Whistles are louder and carry better than voices. They also use less energy. You’ll want to be able to notify others if you get injured, and they will easily be able to notice and locate the noise of a whistle. Many hydration packs have whistles attached as a part of the buckle. Check it out. You may have one already and you just never knew? 
4. Make noise. Jingle your keys, or ring a bell or maybe play some music. You still want to be able to hear what might be coming at you, but you also want to be able to notify the wild life that you’re coming so they can get out of your way. 
5. Read up on the local animals you should be on alert for in your local area and be aware of how professionals say to respond to them. You’ll feel more confident if you have a mental plan in place and know what to look for and how to respond if you encounter an animal. 
6. Remember no matter what, you are strong. you are capable. You can do this! 


Happy Running!
Kelly

​So I encourage you to start a non-negotiable list, just put 3 things on it and make a pact with yourself that no matter what happens today, or who gets sick, you’re going to get these 3 things crossed off the list. You can do it! I know you can. 

Happy Running! 
Kelly

By Katie P.

Stroller Warriors® Iwakuni was born long before I arrived in Japan.  

May 2014, Yuma, Arizona.
I was 35 weeks pregnant with my third child and my twins were about to turn two. I was living in a bubble, mostly at home, surviving with two toddlers and my double BOB stroller, rarely venturing more than a few miles from home and I hadn’t run since my 18th week of pregnancy. I discovered a Stroller Warriors Yuma chapter was founded in January while I was living under my chaotic rock. I joined the Facebook page and promptly received a welcome response explaining they were about to start Summer break because it’s too hot for workouts in the Yuma Summer. As any mom of multiple toddlers with a baby on the way desperate for adult contact would do, I attended the last Spring workout. I didn’t know anyone, I hadn’t run in months, and I wasn’t exactly on the top of my self-esteem game. “Welcome!” “We’re so glad you came!” “Wow, 35 weeks? You look fantastic!” Other military spouses with littles had goals for 5Ks to marathons and we talked about mom life, military life, and our lives. I felt like I had found my people!

I went home and told my husband I needed to get a triple stroller or put our twins in daycare so I could run with these girls. He humored my triple stroller search. If you’re wondering, BOB hasn’t made them in years, and the only used triples I could find were upwards of $800 in San Diego. Six months later, I put my twins in preschool on workout days and hit the ground running. Yes, I scheduled preschool around running. In those first few months, I learned a lot of things. Becoming a mom is amazing, gratifying, and life altering. It also exhausting, humbling, and isolating. From my first workout, I found encouragement from fellow members, and within a few weeks I knew at least one person was counting on me to be at workouts. Even if I didn’t feel like running, I had to show up because my friends were there, and that might well be the only adult interaction I had all week! Stroller Warriors reminded me that I can do something for myself, set goals, and push myself to achieve something I didn’t realize I still needed so badly.

My new support system encouraged me to train for and run my first half marathon since having kids, and they encouraged me to set a goal beyond what I ever would have set for myself. I had been running for 30 years playing soccer and other sports, and it took Stroller Warriors before I began calling myself a runner. For the first time since having kids I was making real connections with other like-minded parents. In this crazy military world where we’re often single parenting for weeks or months at a time, these friendships are golden. While I was discovering a new world, I also had the opportunity to see women grow around me as runners and moms, wives and friends. I saw confidence build in moms who had never run a 5K, and then I watched them finish 10Ks and half marathons. I watched moms riddled with injury get the support and encouragement they needed to get stronger and work to become healthier for themselves and their children.

I spent two years running with Stroller Warriors Yuma. When my husband received our expected OCONUS orders to Iwakuni, Japan, it hit me I had to leave my incredible support system. I didn’t know the inner workings of Stroller Warriors and looked to our Chapter Coordinator, Susanna, for information about a chapter in Iwakuni. I was bummed when she told me there wasn’t one; however, she suggested I start one. We received our orders a full 6 months out, so I had plenty of time to mull this idea over while I mourned the expected loss of my best friends. The friends who watched my baby so I could get a run in, who came home on a lunch break to run with me and push one of my kids in a stroller (because I never did buy a triple!), who babysat for me during dental appointments, and came to the rescue and watched my kids while my sweet old kitty was put down. When you find your sole sisters, they become more than just running buddies.

December 2016, Iwakuni, Japan.
I was cold the moment I stepped off the plane. Four years of 120 degree summers and 75 degree winters will acclimate a girl to warm weather. MCAS Iwakuni was a construction zone and the only place that looked safe for me to run with my 2 year old in tow was the seawall, which was closed except for a half mile stretch. Iwakuni is not the big city Japan you see on TV – it’s an old town with old bumpy sidewalks and tight tiny roads and back alleys. It also has a small town charm that will make you fall in love with suburban-ish Japan. 

I did not want to go running. It was cold. Sub-30 in the mornings. It rained. A lot. My husband kicked me out the door at 5am anyway. “You’ll be happier,” he’d say! I ran alone, and then I connected with an old friend from Yuma who showed me some longer run routes off base, and showed me where she ran with her stroller. We got lost and found incredible views of the ocean from atop hills and hidden shrines tucked into the mountainside. I discovered the lotus fields, the Japanese seawall, the Kintai bridge path, and an entrance to the seawall that would suffice for a stroller. I seeked out runners on base and learned there was a previous stroller group that had disbanded some time before I arrived. I met some of the members and a leader, who shared some great routes with me, including one that became a member favorite known as the ‘pickle path’ because of the green pickle shaped signs that indicate a crosswalk. I wore Stroller Warriors shirts when I went to the commissary and the exchange, in hopes I’d find others who had run with a chapter elsewhere. I met at least one incredible friend this way, as she was also strategically wearing a SW sweatshirt in hopes of making a new friend as well. When I applied to start the chapter, I’d found exactly 6 spouses who wanted to run with Stroller Warriors. I knew they’d be at our inaugural workout. That was all the motivation I needed to get us going. I didn’t expect them to show up with their 40 closest friends and what seemed like at least 50 kids!

Membership in Iwakuni is easy. Volunteers and motivators are plentiful. We explored Iwakuni on foot together. We found hidden shrines and a dozen routes to Iwakuni’s famous Kintai Bridge. By the end of our first year, we had 30 members competing in the Kintai half marathon or 10K, the only local annual race. An annual relay race held by the city and MCAS Iwakuni started up and we put together multiple teams of 4-10 to compete in costumes among the locals. Stroller Warriors Iwakuni may have been born in Yuma, AZ, but it has always belonged in Iwakuni. My personal experience with Stroller Warriors has become a similar experience for dozens of other military spouses living overseas stationed at MCAS Iwakuni. I left Stroller Warriors Iwakuni in the trusted hands of Mallory, who I met wearing a Stroller Warriors sweatshirt in the commissary. Soon, Mallory will pass the torch to a new leader who will continue to share a passion while providing a place for spouses to find encouragement, support, and motivation.

Thank you so much Katie for sharing your founding story with us! We are so grateful that you chose to dedicate your time and talents to founding Stroller Warriors Iwakuni, thus leaving your duty station a better place for future military spouses to PCS to! 

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.