by Kim B.

​​I have always been a runner. I grew up in a house a lot like my own now.  My parents were runners and would race on the weekends.  Sometimes I would go and hold down a water station or collect bib strips (this was back in the day before time chips). I ran because that’s what I grew up doing.  It was a healthy lifestyle and something I wasn’t too shabby at either.  
 
I ran off and on over the years after having kids.  I found my place in Stroller Warriors® and loved having a great place for my children, as well as myself.  But I still wasn’t consistent and felt like I was running just to run.  
 
Then my son was diagnosed with special needs.  My husband was deployed, Stroller Warriors® was supporting me, and I felt I needed something; a way to make this a positive experience.  I was overwhelmed and depressed.  Several Warriors had just finished running the Marine Corps Marathon and I had just finished my first half marathon.  I found myself thinking, “What better way to get through the deployment than to run through it!” I decided to run my first ever marathon! If being a special needs parent was going to be daunting, I was going to take it on with a marathon.  Running always helped me relieve stress, so this was perfect!  

​I decided that the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach would be perfect because there were tons of Stroller Warriors® running this half marathon.  Running my first marathon wasn’t enough though.  I wanted to give back. I wanted to make this a positive experience, not just for me, but for others as well.  I needed to spread awareness for those of us that were struggling in the dark and feeling alone. Running for a cause became my journey.
 
At the time, therapists weren’t sure what my son was struggling with and he was diagnosed with Apraxia, a rare motor disorder in which the individuals have a difficult time with motor planning to perform tasks like talking or eating.  Raising funds for Apraxia Kids became my main focus. I wasn’t focused on how hard the miles were getting during training, how tired I was on the cold winter runs, or how lonely I was with my husband gone and three small children to raise. I was doing something bigger than myself, and that helped me to shift my focus away from me and move it to other people. I wasn’t running for me anymore, I was running for them.  

In spite of the deployment and all I had going on in life, the training came easy and the marathon was even easier than I expected.  During the day of the big race, I had a copy of all the donors in my pocket.  I took them with me on this crazy ride.  They were there for me, my son, and all the others diagnosed with this disorder.  I prayed for them, my family, and my son all the way to the finish!  

That training cycle and my first marathon forced me to see running in a whole new light. Running wasn’t just about me or how I grew up anymore, it was now a way that I could raise awareness and at the same time could help to make other peoples’ lives better!  I have since fundraised for several other causes, including Organization of Autism Research and Semper Fi Fund!  The races may not have gone the way I wanted them too, but it wasn’t about me.  It was about who I can help. 
 
I want to encourage you to train with and race for a charitable organization. When the focus of your race shifts, it can have an astounding impact on your mentality and your training. But not only that, you can take pride in the fact that you are raising awareness for a special cause and are helping many people in the process.
 
If you’re not sure which charity you want to race and raise money for, you can start by using the website www.charitywatch.org. CharityWatch is an organization you can use to vet charity organizations.  This is a great resource to check where the money is going and how much is being used to help those you want to impact. 
 
We can do so much. It’s a joy to give back! I hope you will one day join me in racing for a cause! 
 
If you’ve already raced for a cause, please tell us about it in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you! 

​One Saturday I set out on my long run and decided to take one of my usual routes. I like to vary my routes for safety reasons, but I also like to periodically take the same route to compare my progress. This particular route had a long hill that was a particular challenge for me.

​As I started my charge up the hill, I could feel my body start to fatigue and my mind not so sure it wanted to continue. Looking ahead I picked a point and told myself, "I have to make it to the beginning of the railing and then I can walk." The deal made in my head I charged forward. Pushing myself. Pushing my body. Pushing my limits. 

As I got closer to the railing -my stopping point- I noticed the air had started to change; it smelled BAD. And then I saw it. There at the base of the railing, right where I was supposed to be allowed to stop and walk. Right there ON MY STOPPING POINT was a dead opossum. 
​​
My body wanted to stop. I had just pushed myself further than usual. I was incredibly fatigued but my brain said, don’t you dare stop! It STINKS! So I pushed forward and continued to push past. And do you know what? It was easy to push past. I had pushed myself to the limit, but then had been able to push myself to run just a little bit further. I had (surprisingly easily) pushed myself to do more than I thought I could. 
 
A few weeks later the dead opossum and stench were thankfully gone but as I approached the spot where he used to lay, my body was again fatigued and ready to stop, I told myself, “Oh no! A dead possum! Keep running!” And do you know what. I DID. I was able to trick my body to go a little bit further and a little bit faster than I thought I could. All because of what I told myself in my head. By imagining the dead opossum there, I had tapped into that same push and drive, even when it wasn’t in fact there. 

​The dead possum taught me an important lesson. Running is far more mental than you can ever realize. So the next time you want to stop, imagine there is a dead opossum you need to get away from and I bet my bottom dollar you’ll keep on running. 
 
Happy Running! 
Kelly

Today, we’d like turn the spotlight on one of our members, Katie. We’ll let Katie tell her moving story in her own words.
 
 
In September of 2016, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer.  It was the ultimate low in my life.  My daughter was two and my son was just six months old when I was diagnosed.  I was very out of shape.  I figured something had to give.  So after my four week post operation appointment, still with a healing incision, I decided to show up to my first workout with Stroller Warriors® Parris Island.  I was nearly 100 pounds overweight. I have a permanently paralyzed vocal cord, which makes breathing in the humidity very difficult *if you've ever been to Beaufort, SC you know it's humid 99.9% of the time! Ha.*  So why not join a run club right?!  To this day it is the best decision I've made in my time here in Beaufort.

We went around the circle for new member intros, in my still whispery voice I introduced myself, showed my neck wound and said I'd do what I could, but I didn’t know how much that would be.  Both of my kids were with me in a double stroller and we set out.  I couldn't run more than 90 seconds at a time, and even that was a struggle.  Dayle, one of the PI members stayed with me.  She pushed me to go further. She didn’t let me give up.  I will never forget that.  I joined the Couch to 5K group which was more than halfway done. I was able to graduate with them just a few months post total thyroidectomy. And I never looked back.  I bridged to 10K then ran my first half marathon.  There were many setbacks along the way, but I knew I always had a tribe of great women behind me, supporting me every step of the way.

My success within Stroller Warriors® is about so much more than running. It has always been about community for me.  I was a stranger to these women, when I showed up to a workout and told them I had cancer.  Never once did they bat an eye.  They were, and still are, my tribe.  After graduating from Couch to 5K I had to take a break from running and do Radioactive Iodine Therapy.  It came with a week of isolation away from my small children and husband.  The group rallied behind me. They fed my family dinner every night, offered to watch my kids, dropped off snacks when the kids were running low, brought me all kinds of amazing comfort gifts when I got home, and stuck with me every step of the way! 

Then, two months after my treatment, my husband left for his fourth tour overseas.  I was not ready, but they never left me.  They pulled me through the hard days.  We ran, worked out, ate and laughed.  Members took turns pushing my double stroller during runs so I could just focus on one foot in front of the other.  It was a testament to what this group truly is.

Once I was back on my feet, full force, I joined the leadership team.  I assisted on Couch to 5K; picking up C25K workouts whenever they needed.  Watching those women accomplish their goal was so satisfying.  Then, I took over Welcoming Committee duties for our chapter.  I still have people stop me out in town and ask me how they know me.  Most of the time it's because of the Stroller Warriors page.  As we transitioned to new Coordinators I started helping the club in any way I could.  I have hosted a handful of Mini Warrior Events, including pumpkin painting, park dates and most recently a firehouse visit!  During our transition I have also jumped in to lead workouts.  For the most part my workouts are strength.  It has been really fun to dust the cobwebs off my Exercise Science degree from college and push the Warriors to do something that isn't normally in their comfort zone!  I have done a little bit of everything in my time here in hopes of giving back to a club that has done so much for me.

Cancer gave me a perspective that I wish I could share with others.  Not to take yourself so seriously.  To always been kinder than you feel. That your best is ALWAYS good enough.  For me, this club has been about so much more than the miles *even though I ran 500+ of them last year.* It has been about the family.  The love. The support. Taking back my health.  Feeling strong and confident in my body when I felt like it was failing me.  I hope I am leaving this chapter better than I found it.  I hope I have given more than I have taken. Our next adventure will take us to Camp Pendleton, but Stroller Warriors® Parris Island will always hold a very special place in my heart. My hope is anyone who needs a tribe will look to Stroller Warriors.  That everyone who reads my story will see the heart and soul of this club. 
 
Katie, thank you so much for sharing your story with us! We wish you continued health and happiness and an easy PCS!

Usually, for most military spouses, when you’re 6 months-out from a PCS your motivation to make new friends fades a little bit. I consider it a form of self-preservation. Your sub-conscious is trying to protect yourself from emotional pain, so you start to distance yourself a little bit from others, and stop working to build new relationships. I want to challenge this way of thinking, though, because many years ago I had a friend challenge and change mine.
 
Many years ago a new girl PCSd to Okinawa when I only had 6 months left on the island. Her name was Sarah and we had an awful lot in common. We both ran, we both enjoyed triathlons, we both had 3 children, and we both had graduated from the same college  (though neither of us knew the other in college). Sarah upon meeting me decided we would be friends. I was and always have been friendly to new people. I never want anyone to leave a Stroller Warrior workout without having connected with another adult! However, I wasn’t so sure I needed new friends at this stage in my life. But she was really nice and I really enjoyed hanging out with her. She kept coming to Stroller Warriors workouts and we kept hanging out and running together. Then, even though be both knew I only had 6 months left at this duty station, our friendship progressed to training for a half together and countless miles shared and memories made. 

One time we met in the middle of our houses for a nighttime run. At this point in my life I knew nothing about running after dinner. I had eaten a very full meal and upon jostling my stomach for a few miles, I promptly threw up on the side of the road. There had been no warning, I wasn’t sick, it was just like a when a baby eats too much and spits up some of it. I was so embarrassed! The only times I had ever heard of someone throwing up during running or after running was from over-exertion like during a race or a track workout. This was neither of those times. Lessons learned for sure! To eat smaller portions or eat a regular portion but give your stomach time to digest before heading out to run.
 
Another night after getting back to the car, we hung around to stretch and chat. While sitting on the ground stretching we hear noises in the bushes that sounded like an animal or animals of some sort. Sarah got up quickly and started screaming, “Coyotes! Coyotes!” and jumped into her car. I stood outside staring at her and she opened the door slightly to scream, “Get in the car!!” I could hear the noise getting louder and closer. Sarah being so nervous made me nervous, so I jumped into the car too. Only I was getting into the side where Sarah already was! She awkwardly scrambled from the passenger side to the drivers side and we both finally fit in the car and were able to shut the door. We peered nervously out and watched as a pack of dogs (not coyotes!) jumped out of the bushes and ran lazily around the parking lot. We sure had a good laugh over that one! I remember telling her, “I’m pretty sure they don’t even have coyotes on the island!” (They don’t). 

While Sarah and I only ended up having 6 months on the island together we have a million memories. She truly made my time at that duty station richer. Had I said no to a friendship with her, I am the one who would have missed out. My life would have been less fun, less funny, less rich. I am more blessed because of our friendship.
 
While I physically had to leave Sarah, our friendship is something that I didn’t have to leave behind. To this day we still talk on the phone and share our lives. We don’t have a set schedule to talk but when we do talk, we just pick up right where we left off. Five years later the stars are aligning and we are rotating at the same time. Will we meet at the next duty station? I can only hope! 

​I do know, however, that because I fought against my instincts to start shutting down prior to a PCS, I have a stronger support network and a really great friend. I challenge you, don’t let yourself turn off prior to a PCS or move! You never know who you are going to meet and how much richer your life could become. Go to the Stroller Warriors workouts anyway, make new friends anyway, life is short, try your best to live it to its fullest!
 
Happy Running!
Kelly 

By Rachael W

I was always athletic, (swim team in high school and a cheerleader for 10 years) but NEVER a runner. In fact, I was the person that would rather skip school on the day we had to run the mile in PE than actually run it! Ha! But, after 4 kids and neglecting my own health for theirs, I was out of shape to say the least. 

When we moved to NC, I joined a gym.  A gym that I used only a handful of times because my youngest child would refuse to stay in the daycare.  So, I remained out of shape; my former self just a whisper of a memory. 

Then, my son decided to join the STRIDE Program to run a 5K with his school in May of 2017.  He was going to need a buddy to run it with him, so I had planned on sending my husband. You know, the Marine that could run 3 miles in his sleep. But it was my neighbor (who IS a runner) who decided she was going to do it with her son and somehow she talked me into doing the same. It was hard. I didn't know what I was doing, and at that point I could not complete a mile without stopping, but I ran a 5K! Well, I didn’t exactly “run” it, but I finished it (in 37 minutes) and I swore that I'd NEVER run again! 

When I posted my pictures to Facebook I had several friends comment that I should join Stroller Warriors®.  One was a friend with the Camp Pendleton chapter and another, a former Lejeune chapter member, who had since moved to Parris Island. I thought they were crazy but I went ahead and joined the group page. (Why did a non-runner, that never wanted to run again, join a RUNNING CLUB? Well, because her youngest child refused to be out of her sight and after trying to drop her off at the gym daycare for a year and a half only to have her scream for 15 minutes straight, ending with us having to leave the gym before my workout even began.) After a week of thinking on it, I decided to go to a workout. At that point I figured I had nothing to lose, at least I could walk and it was something I could do WITH my then almost 2 year old instead of sticking her in the gym daycare to scream. 

So I joined this running club, even though I wasn’t a runner and I hated running, but it wasn’t just ANY running club, it was Stroller Warriors, a running club for military spouses and it was unlike any other group I’d ever belonged to. I went to my first workout and my little one enjoyed the "friends" SO much. The kids were all immediate friends and loved getting together at the park after our runs, while the adults enjoyed the conversations after the workout. The club itself was full of encouraging friends that would make you believe you could do anything... even run a half marathon!

I kept going to the workouts, kept making friends, and kept running. Little by little I could run a little more and a little more. I could complete a mile without stopping and then two and then three and before you knew it I was signing up for races and the women of Stroller Warriors were encouraging me the whole way!

As a member of Stroller Warriors® I found myself. 

That whisper of a memory of the competitive athlete I once was - was no longer a whisper. In 2018 I became a chapter workout assistant and trained for and ran my first half marathon (although the original race that I was going to run - and had trained for - was cancelled due to Hurricane Florence, I was able to run a half with a group of warriors in December) and I am now training for my first marathon in 2019!

I am not exaggerating when I say that the Stroller Warriors Running Club changed my life - it has led me to a wonderful tribe in a place that is so far away from my own family, and pushed me to do hard things that I never thought I could do! 

With the welcoming of each new year, it seems it's tradition to reflect on the past year and either start working on your New Year's Resolution(s), usually in some form of self improvement, or perhaps think "Why bother? Some things just never change."

For 2019, I would encourage you to reflect on a word, one that just might change your whole prospective on this new year.

Opportunity.
A time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

This new year offers so many opportunities.

Opportunity for great things to come INTO your life.
Opportunity to LET GO of the things that need to go.

Opportunity to BELIEVE in yourself.
THIS is YOUR year.
What do you want to look back on in 365 days
and say with incredible pride...."YES! I TOTALLY ACCOMPLISHED THAT!"

I have no doubt that the only way I crossed the finish line at Marine Corps Marathon in 2016, 11 months post-Cesarean, with a bum right knee, was because I believed that I could!
(Plus lots of training miles - because there IS that ;))

If you believe it, you really can do it. It is not just some hokey catch phrase - the mind is such a POWERFUL thing and you truly aren't giving yourself enough credit.
You are strong - mentally and physically.
You are capable.
You are deserving.

So what is something you've considered trying, but didn't believe you could do?
Change your inner monologue and start telling yourself, not only that you can, but you WILL do it. Remind yourself often.
Make it your locked cell phone screen - how many times a day do you see that?! ;)
Write it on a note and place it by your bed side, on the bathroom mirror, and anywhere else that might continually remind you.
There will, without a doubt, be challenging days, so recruit some close friends and family to be in your corner and cheer you on; especially on the hard days.

Opportunity to take the time for YOU.
You know the saying... "You can't pour from an empty cup," and it's true.
Initially it seems selfish to take time for yourself, but once you start doing it, you see the value.
You realize that the self care actually results in a happier, healthier you!  Carve out time, start small if you need to, but treat it like any other appointment and commit to it.

Opportunity to say "no" to adding more commitments to your plate. Far too often we overwhelm ourselves and end up doing okay at all of our commitments rather than really GREAT at just a few. 

Opportunity to show your kids that life is short; be spontaneous and go for it! In the process you'll make lifelong memories you all will treasure.

Opportunity to get involved with or support an organization you feel passionate about. When we give to others, we feel so great about ourselves! 

Opportunity to set GOALS.
Opportunity to set a big, huge, crazy awesome goal and chase after it like you've never done before.
It will take time, but the time is going to pass anyway.

Be sure to be specific when setting a goal.
About 5 years ago I came across SMART goals.
Use the acronym to make your goal more clear, and thus more achievable.
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Realistic
T - Time-Based
If it is a long term goal, be sure to break it down into a handful of short term goals.
Focusing on just 1 week at a time, so as to not get overwhelmed, can lead to big results.
For example, just running 3 miles a week, for 52 weeks, and you will have run more than 150 miles - surpassing the first milestone in Stroller Warriors Runopoly!

Opportunity to make PLANS. 
Fail to plan, plan to fail, right?! 
So many times we have such great intentions to do this, that or the other and yet we take no real action to make them become a reality. Take a step. Make a plan and set it into motion.
Like any good military family member should, be sure to have plans A, B, and C and be flexible as to which one you use. In fact, you might need to use a little of all three. Embrace it; the final destination is still possible and definitely worth the effort.
I put this into practice in 2018; I set a personal goal of 1 date night a month. Nothing fancy or stressful, just 4-5 kid free hours to hang out with just my husband. By using my plan, of texting my sitter at the first of every month to set it up... 8 of 12 months did indeed have a date night! They were such a gift to our marriage. While I didn't meet my goal at 100%, we both enjoyed the time so much that we will do the same in 2019.

Opportunity to focus on the POSITIVE.
Actively SEEK out the POSITIVE in EVERY situation. The negatives are so easy to spot... look past them this year and find the positives - they ARE there.

Happy New Year, Warriors!
Wishing you new and exciting opportunities each and every day this new year.
​~Paige

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.

​Let me tell you a story about a girl named Kelly. She was new to running and didn't know that each person’s feet were different and therefore needed different things. She picked shoes based on their colors and whether they'd match her outfits or not. Do you know what happened? She owned cute shoes and she ran herself right into a serious problem - plantar fasciitis.
 
After she learned her lesson the hard way she started doing things differently. Can you guess what she did?
 
Okay, by now you probably have figure out that I'm talking about myself. . . So what do I do differently now?  

​1. I get opinions on my feet from the experts and I go back and ask again every few years. As my body has grown stronger over the years, the way my feet land has also changed. For example, when I was a beginner runner. I over-pronated majorly. Pronation to some degree is a normal part of running. However, if you pronate too much you can run into other problems. Shoe experts have tried to combat this problem by making the inner part of a shoe of a firmer substance. You can usually tell if a shoe is for an over-pronated just by looking from the outside of the shoe at the inner sole. It will be a different color than the rest of the sole. Now, after years of running and strengthening my body through weight lifting I need a neutral shoe. If I hadn’t gone back to get checked again, I would probably be running in the wrong shoes for me. Most running shoe stores have experts who can watch you run and help you find the right shoes for you. Podiatrists if you know one or go to see one are also great people to ask what kind of shoes your feet need.
 
2. I don't allow myself to look at the color of the shoes or the price. I run in them without looking down and I pick the pair that feels the best. While I don’t ask the price before I run in them, I have been known to ask if they have last year’s model in stock. You can often get last year's model at a much more reasonable price and it’s likely exactly the same as this year's model or the sales person can tell you how it is different. I’ve also been known to try on shoes and like them, but then balk at the price at the store, only to regret not buying them until an online search found them at a different store for a much better price.

​3. I use my running shoes ONLY for running. I have separate walking shoes I put on if my Mom wants to go on a walk with me or I need to go sight seeing or run errands around town. This saves the soles of my running shoes and helps them to last a lot longer for me.
 
4. I use two pairs of shoes (sometimes 3. Okay fine, truthfully, I currently have 5) and rotate them so each pair of shoes gets 24-48 hours to go back to their optimal shape to take another pounding from me. I’ve heard a few experts swear by this method. I’ve also heard a few experts who think this whole thing is silly and not true. Me? I like shoes! So I really don’t mind having several pairs and alternating between them.
 
5. I am cautious about inserts unless a doctor has prescribed them. This is due to my sister, Kathleen, who was an avid marathoner back in the day. She started having knee problems and a friend recommended she try inserts. She started wearing them and it fixed the knee problem. Fast forward two years later and she can’t run anymore due to terrible back pain. For the next two years she kept trying to rehab herself and get back to running and she couldn’t do it. A chance encounter in the airport while she was traveling for work led her to a family who swears by a ‘miracle doctor’ who fixed their daughter, an elite athlete. He wasn’t taking new clients, but because of his connection to this family, he agreed to see my sister. She flew to his city and stayed in a hotel for two weeks. Every day he’d hook her up to different biofeedback machines and have her run and do various exercises. His verdict? She needed to ditch the inserts. The inserts were changing the way she ran and were not properly activating her glute muscles. When her glutes weren’t firing, her back was trying to kick in to do the work and she was ending up in terrible pain. She had to ditch the inserts and rehab her muscles and she was able to go back to running pain-free. I worry inserts might fix one problem and cause another, so unless it’s recommended by a medical professional, I let the advice to buy inserts go in one ear and out the other. 

​6. I try to keep track of how many miles my shoes get, but if I lose track I keep an eye on the tread and/or my body. Typically, any ankle/shin/knee pain I get can be resolved by getting new shoes.
 
7. I listen to my body. If I have a new pair that is causing pain, you can bet your bottom dollar I will not be running in them anymore! They get returned or if I can’t return them, they become my new walking shoes. I’ve dealt with injuries before and I don’t want to deal with another injury, especially if it is avoidable!
 
8. I try my best to shop where they offer a military discount (yay!) or allow you to bring back your shoes if they don’t work out (double yay!). Running shoes can be a huge investment. I have been so disappointed before when shoes didn’t work out for me only to be told that they can’t be taken back because they had been used (even just once!). Places like REI and many shoe stores will let you return the shoes if they didn’t work for you, even if you already went on a run in them (even if that run is a trail run!).
 
So there you have it my tips and guidelines for buying shoes. I hope this helps you on your next shoe buying adventure.
 
Happy Running!
Kelly 

​The 43rd Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) and MCM10K are fast approaching. The MCM is an iconic race, drawing 30,000 people to the start line. There are no monetary prizes for the winners. This is “the people’s marathon,” where everyone is welcome and included. I spectated the MCM long before I ever ran it myself. I love that marathons prove there is not one speed that makes a runner and there is not one body type that makes a runner. While runners come in all shapes and sizes, we do have one commonality: we all have heart. 

The marathon, 26.2 miles… I don’t know how or when or why I first ever thought of running a marathon. I do know that even before I was a runner, while I was picking the position in sports that involved the LEAST amount of running possible, I had a dream of one day crossing the finish line of a marathon. 

I had the chance to make that dream come true with my fellow Stroller Warriors back in 2010. Stephanie, Sarah, Jenna, Kit, and I decided we were going to travel from Camp Lejeune, NC, to run the MCM. I remember talking to my husband on the static-ridden, voice-delayed satellite phone. When I told him I was going to run the MCM he said, “I hope you know (very long pause) by signing up for one (another long pause), you’re actually signing up for TWO (lots of static). You can do a marathon without me, but you’ll have to do a marathon WITH me too.”

Yes, my husband was deployed and I was the sole caregiver for our daughter. Yes, my friends’ husbands were also deployed, but we didn’t care. We weren’t going to let our lives stop because our spouses were momentarily not physically there with us. We were going to bond together, find happiness in the little things, find fulfillment in reaching for goals, and work together to make that goal—that dream—a reality. 

​I remember the joy of tackling my “longest run” every weekend while I was training for my first marathon. I remember when the miles got lonely, I’d imagine my husband’s boots pounding the pavement right alongside my sneakers, his feet keeping pace with mine, and mine with his. We were miles apart and yet, in that moment, we were in sync. I faced a lot of unknowns that year, and I met a lot of firsts. 

Marathon running can teach you a lot about yourself. It can teach you a lot about life. All of us are far more resilient than we give ourselves credit for. I learned a lot about myself during my first marathon. I hadn’t trained for any hills (there are some). I broke the rule of not trying anything new on race day (and ran without my water bottles). I got swept up in the day and forgot to follow my nutrition plan. I bonked early and I bonked hard. I remember when a good friend jumped onto the course to chat with me, I was in tears, asking why I was doing this. She replied, “Who are you and what did you do to my friend?!” In spite of everything that went wrong for me on race day, I knew in my heart of hearts that I was going to cross the finish line. If he could do eight months in austere front-line conditions, then I could do 26.2.
 
During that race, I had the pleasure of running with a friend, Kitt, a Marine Corps captain who had already taken on the MCM before and decided to run it again in support of her husband and his unit while they were also deployed. That year her goal wasn’t based on time. Her goal was to prove she could run a marathon in vibrams and hang out with me along the way. After I fell apart for several miles (while also attempting to refuel as best as possible), I decided that I just needed to get over myself and get the job done. Yes, there would be pain. Yes, it would be hard. But I could do it, especially with the help of my friends. It helped too that my husband and his command were miles and miles away watching all of their runners move as dots across the map on the wall as they tracked our progress along the racecourse. I crossed the finish line of my first marathon nine months to the day after I started to run. 

​The people we choose to surround ourselves with directly shape the path we follow in life. I have been very lucky to lead a Stroller Warriors life. There is something special about the Stroller Warriors. Maybe it’s because we get the endorphins that come along with running. Maybe it’s because we have giving hearts and work to better our world and support our community. I don’t know why we are the way we are, but I do know that after being a proud member of now four Stroller Warriors chapters, we are the most supportive, honest, genuine, helpful, kind, hard-working, funny, and FUN people I have ever been around. 

We also are very good at what we call “positive peer pressure.” Usually it involves convincing friends to sign up for a new race, thereby forcing them to tackle their first 10k or half marathon—or even full marathon. It could be convincing a friend to “test fate” and sign up for the lottery for the MCM. (Why not let God decide?) Or it might be pushing fellow Warriors to QUICKLY sign up for the 1775 race before it sells out so that they can skip the lottery process and have a guaranteed entry into the MCM.

Whether it’s because of positive peer pressure or fulfilling a lifetime goal, for the past nine years the MCM has been the most popular marathon our club has bonded over together. This year is no exception. This year we have an estimated 161 Warriors running the 10k and marathon, representing 15 of our chapters.

For the past several years, we’ve offered a commemorative shirt to help our Warriors unite and bond as a worldwide team. The goal is to help members recognize each other while out on training runs or at the expo or even on race day. This year, a quote by running legend Deena Kastor inspired the idea behind our shirt. Deena said, “Some days the positive path is harder to find and we have to be relentless in its pursuit.” This quote rang true for many of us military spouses on the SWHQ team.

​Some days the positive path is harder to find. Some days you don’t want to get up out of bed (much less at O’ dark thirty). Some days you don’t want to have another ground hog day when everything feels the same as the day before. Some days it’s hard to be positive and find the brighter side of your new duty station (and consequently your new life). Some days it’s hard. Life is hard. But that’s not a reason to give up. That’s a reason to fight harder. 

We have to be relentless in the pursuit of happiness—in the pursuit of a goal, whether it is a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon, a full marathon, or even an ultra. When you’re relentless in your pursuit of a goal, your mentality shifts. You focus in on the goal, and you get up early even when you don’t want to. You get your runs in. You do the best you can with what you have. You rehab from your injury. You continue to push and reach. And along the way you meet new people and make new friends, solidify old friendships, see new sights, tackle new mileage, and learn (or relearn) that you are far stronger than you ever gave yourself credit for.

This training cycle, I have been incredibly inspired by the Stroller Warriors around me. I’ve been running with Kaylee, who started out with a Stroller Warriors C25k program, then ran a 10k, then a half, and now is tackling her first marathon. She’ll run the MCM eight months from when she started C25k. I’ve run alongside Amy, who trained up for the Air Force Marathon that was cut short this year due to unsafe course conditions, and while she received a medal, she didn’t actually get to run 26.2. So she snagged a transfer bib, and in spite of a nagging injury, she will be joining in on the fun to run her first full marathon. I’ve been running with Lindsay, who trained last year all through a brutal summer, never missing a run, only to learn just days before the MCM that the pain in her chest wasn’t a pulled muscle; she had pneumonia and would be unable to race alongside her training partners. Too late to get a transfer, she swallowed this devastating blow and lost a good amount of money in the process. She has trained hard again this year and is ready for a comeback race. These are just a few of the stories of the Warriors who will be at the MCM. Everyone has a story, and all of them are motivational and inspirational. 

​Me? I’ve trained and I’m ready again for my third MCM. I’d love to get to five so I can be in the MCM Runners Club. This year is extra special because I will be making good on a promise I made in 2010. I was told that by signing up for one marathon, I was actually signing up for two because I needed to run one with my husband. My husband and I have both run marathons and ultras, but we have yet to run a marathon together. My parents will be watching our four kids, and we will have the pleasure of a race date. Just like life, we will be sticking together all the way along the course.  

Warriors, this weekend as you toe the line with your fellow Marine Corps Marathoners and 10k runners, I want you to be relentless in your pursuit. Push hard. You’ve trained for this moment and you’re ready. Our nation’s heroes will be standing at the ready to support you. How often in life do you get to have a real-life hero put a medal around your neck? A medal you’ve earned with sweat, tears, and maybe even a little bit of blood. Trust yourself. Trust your training. Stick to your hydration and nutrition plan to try to ward off the wall. But if you do run into the wall, put one foot in front of the other. Remember this mantra: “Relentless forward progress.” You are, after all, a Stroller WARRIOR, and you’ve got this! 

Happy Running!

Your CEO, 
Kelly