Melissa with her beautiful family! This week the spotlight is shining on the new Coordinator of Stroller Warriors Yokosuka, Melissa H! Stroller Warriors appears to run in the family as Melissa first learned about Stroller Warriors through her sister, Melanie F., who was a member of Stroller Warriors New Orleans. Sisters share everything, right? Now they both share in the bond and encouragement that Stroller Warriors represents.
Melissa is a mother to four and has been living the Navy life with her husband, Steve. Moving to Japan has presented some unique challenges for the family as they took only their youngest three children with them. Melissa left her oldest step-son home while he prepares for boot camp. I think most of us can relate to the idea of seeing a child leave our reach…stressed and worried sick, but also proud to see them sprout and use all that great advice we gave them growing up…wink, wink.
Melissa is a mother to four and has been living the Navy life with her husband, Steve. Moving to Japan has presented some unique challenges for the family as they took only their youngest three children with them. Melissa left her oldest step-son home while he prepares for boot camp. I think most of us can relate to the idea of seeing a child leave our reach…stressed and worried sick, but also proud to see them sprout and use all that great advice we gave them growing up…wink, wink.
Melissa and the 5 Gold Medals she won swimming in Cal State Games in 2014 Growing up Melissa played a large number of sports including softball, field hockey, swimming and cheerleading. She says she played them all moderately well, but nothing ever really stuck other than swimming. Melissa is an accomplished swimmer and it seems to run in the family, as her daughters are all Champion swimmers.
After high school, as many of us do, we leave the figurative field and life keeps us busy with other things. Melissa became sedentary and did not attempt running again until after the birth of her first daughter. Again, it just didn’t stick. “My perception was that running was hard! I had only run as conditioning for all the other sports I played, never just to run!” Then, gradually, a new relationship with running developed.
After high school, as many of us do, we leave the figurative field and life keeps us busy with other things. Melissa became sedentary and did not attempt running again until after the birth of her first daughter. Again, it just didn’t stick. “My perception was that running was hard! I had only run as conditioning for all the other sports I played, never just to run!” Then, gradually, a new relationship with running developed.
Melissa and her husband, Steve, before their first half marathon. More recently with Stroller Warriors as a huge motivating factor, Melissa made it through her latest PCS with a consistent running plan. She was tempted to stop running, with an excuse we all deserve to use…the great PCS that takes up every ounce of energy and then some. “Stroller Warriors has been monumental for me during this move. Without being involved with Stroller Warriors, I would have stopped running during this PCS like I always did before.” Melissa has experienced firsthand the power of support and encouragement to help her get a foot out the door. She has also learned the mileage doesn’t have to be high to keep you motivated and moving. “I am recovering from a knee injury, and even though I can’t run long and fast right now, SW has made me get out there for those two and three mile runs, which I wouldn’t have done without the club. SW has helped me realize that I don’t need to put myself on the ‘back burner’ while settling in to a new place. That is probably my biggest running accomplishment to date…not stopping this time! I always hate how hard it is to come back from a break, and I have been known to take breaks of six months to a year! So to have logged some miles, even though not many, during this move, is huge for me! Way more of an accomplishment than any race distance I completed. I even ran while we were still at the Navy Lodge! SW has also helped me meet people, and get outside in the colder weather that I am not used to coming from San Diego!"
Stroller Warriors is also filling a gap in Melissa's life, as she will likely not be able to work while in Yokosuka. "I am a Registered Nurse, and have worked in the ICU my whole career, minus the last seven months in San Diego where I focused on cardiology. There is no cardiology clinic here in Yokosuka, and my ICU expertise is in open heart surgery recovery, which they do not do here." Taking on coordination of the Yokosuka chapter gives Melissa an opportunity to give back to the club that she loves dearly, and will allow her to have the amazing impact on other Stroller Warriors that she has experienced firsthand.
Stroller Warriors is also filling a gap in Melissa's life, as she will likely not be able to work while in Yokosuka. "I am a Registered Nurse, and have worked in the ICU my whole career, minus the last seven months in San Diego where I focused on cardiology. There is no cardiology clinic here in Yokosuka, and my ICU expertise is in open heart surgery recovery, which they do not do here." Taking on coordination of the Yokosuka chapter gives Melissa an opportunity to give back to the club that she loves dearly, and will allow her to have the amazing impact on other Stroller Warriors that she has experienced firsthand.
Running is now a family affair! -Even when the husband is deployed. Melissa's advice for a new spouse is to be flexible and roll with the seasons. "The path my life has taken to get to where I am now has definitely not been a straight line, and in fact looks more like the scribbling of a toddler! So stick with it! It has ups and downs, but everything will work itself out! And wine. Use it, it helps."
We’re so excited for your new adventure, Melissa, and we can’t to see your chapter blossom!
We’re so excited for your new adventure, Melissa, and we can’t to see your chapter blossom!
RSS Feed