By Yvonne Z.

I heard about the Stroller Warriors® Running Club at Ramstein, Germany, where I am originally from. My husband and I attended a 5K fun run which was organized by an organization called the “KMC 5K Runners”. The Stroller Warriors Ramstein, Germany had a table there with some info about them and I instantly liked what I saw! This was in 2017.

Stroller running was brand new to me, since I had just had my daughter and I thought joining the Stroller Warriors sounds promising. I joined the group and my good friend and I attended a few workouts in the local area. I felt right at “home” going to the workouts. Shortly after I had discovered Stroller Warriors Ramstein, we received orders to Keesler, Mississippi, which was my very first PCS and the first time moving away from home. The Stroller Warriors community was super helpful, giving me lots of tips and advise that they have gained with their past moves. I was sad that I had found them so close to our PCS, but was looking forward to our new adventure.

Once at Keesler I drove around the base to explore our new home while my husband had his first day at work. We were still living in the Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) and my daughter and I were out and about. One of the first things I noticed was the beautiful running track that bends around the flight line adjacent to the Biloxi Back Bay. Coming from Germany I always wanted to live close to water and was in awe of how beautiful the scenery was. “With such a nice running track, there must be a SW chapter on base” was the first thought that crossed my mind.

Back in TLF I took my laptop and started searching for a SW chapter but couldn’t find one. I emailed Headquarters (HQ) to verify. HQ answered quickly saying that there was not a chapter yet and asked me If I would be interested in starting one… I filled out the questionnaire to launch a chapter right then and there, two days after arriving at Keesler.

Of course I had doubts if I would be able to “pull it off” since my time with Stroller Warriors in Germany had been so short and I didn’t have time to really get to know the club, BUT with full support from my husband and my fantastic Regional Mentor, Kim B., I was able to build up the chapter.

On March 22nd, 2018 we officially launched our Keesler chapter with a fantastic inaugural workout. We had a great turnout, the weather was perfect and everybody had a great time. I remember that after the workout I was so pumped. I didn’t remember what I had said in my speech or anything, but I felt happy and confident that this was going to be an amazing adventure.

I was incredibly lucky to have had quite a few Warriors in the group from the day our Facebook group launched, who posted their running stories, photos and motivated others to do so as well. I am so thankful for them. They will always be a big part of building up the chapter.

Just a few weeks ago we celebrated our ONE year Runniversary with a birthday party themed workout and also kicked off our second round of Couch to 5K (C25K)!! It was a very special day for me and made me reflect on the past year and all the accomplishments and friendships I was able to make with the chapter.

The only way to describe this past year is that is was phenomenal! We had an incredible kick
off, motivated Warriors from the get go, we dedicated several workouts to charity organizations,
held donation drives for Fisher House and Toys for Tots, we also had so much fun putting our
first Mini Warrior program together and had a very successful first round of C25K in the Fall of 2018.

Most importantly, we built each other up, made friendships that will last a lifetime and celebrated personal goals, no matter how big or small. I can’t wait to see what this next year holds for us as a chapter. We are growing and are well- known throughout the base and surrounding military installations. So far I have received nothing but positive feedback, which makes me very proud.

We are currently working on our chapter specific logo and I can’t wait to proudly wear our own
Keesler specific Stroller Warrior gear soon.

Thank you so much for sharing your story Yvonne!
We have no doubt that with your guidance Stroller Warriors Keesler will continue to grow and create many lasting memories!

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.

By Amanda C.

I finished my first 50K and it was a huge accomplishment! Before that though, I DID NOT FINISH (DNF) my first 50K.

I started out my first attempt at a 50K race terrified that I wouldn’t be able to do it. I literally made myself believe there was no way I could. When race day came, I gave up and I gave up quickly. By mile 10 I already didn’t want to try. It was almost like I wanted to prove myself right by not finishing. I literally stopped trying to make the time cut off, because in my head there was no way I could do it. At mile 20, I was proven right. I didn’t make that time cutoff. I felt like a huge failure. I cried a lot. I made excuses. I literally mourned the loss of a dream. People always say running is a mental game and I learned that the hard way.

It took a while, but I started to turn that DNF into a positive. I ran 20 miles that day when most people don’t even run 20 miles in a week. I had something to be proud of even if I didn’t finish. My Stroller Warrior tribe encouraged me and told me they still believed in me. Slowly I gained my confidence back and decided to try again, but this time I was going to make some changes. This time, I was going to believe in myself.

My friends and I searched for the perfect race. We trained and we trained hard. We ran in freezing temperatures while we watched the sun come up. We ran in the rain. We did intense speed work. These warriors stayed with me and encouraged me every step of the way. I told myself over and over that I could do this; that I would not let this race defeat me. If I started to doubt myself, I reached
out to my tribe and they picked me back up.

This time when race day came I told myself I could do it. That I would absolutely not give up! While we ran my friend told me over and over again, “You're doing it!” and you know what…I did! I did it! I changed my mentality on the entire thing and I actually enjoyed it. We had fun! We laughed and we talked to other runners. They encouraged us and we encouraged them. I crossed the finish line that day with tears in my eyes. I felt like a Warrior. I accomplished my goal and I didn’t let fear stop me this time.

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.