You might ask; what IS plogging?  It is a combination of jogging and picking up litter.  Sounds fun and good for the planet, right?  The concept began in Sweden (Swedish: plocka upp) in 2016 and has made its way around the globe this past year.  In addition to helping the environment, you burn more calories than just running alone AND by bending over you are stretching your back, your backside, hamstrings and calves; all good things for runners.  Many Stroller Warriors chapters have  joined in on the plogging fun this year and many more have this type of event on their future workout list.  

With the willingness to do a not so glamorous task, armed with a trash bag and a glove, our members and their Mini Warriors have set out to make a small, but meaningful difference in their communities.  It is no surprise that brown commissary bags seem to be our chapter's choice for collecting the trash; we are military families after all.  Check out how many bags of trash have been collected because of Stroller Warriors plogging!  Instead of running right past the litter they see along their routes, these Warriors are choosing to clean up the area instead. 

Camp Lejeune Warriors hosted their first plogging run on April 27th, in honor of Earth Day, and were shocked at how much trash could be collected in just 40 minutes of run time.  Many hands made light work.  ​It was a huge hit and they picked up over 10 bags of trash!

Shout out to two other chapters, SW Jacksonville and SW Monterey, who also recently hosted a plogging workout!

Although not plogging... all three of our Hawaii chapters, SW Kaneohe Bay, SW Pearl Harbor and SW Schofield Barracks, regularly participate with 808 Cleanups to help clean up their local beaches. 

Lastly, but certainly not least, we are excited for our SW Fort Worth Chapter who recently “adopted a spot,” through the city, at one of their regular run locations.  They will be responsible for keeping their adopted spot clean throughout the year. Way to be committed to helping clean up litter on a regular basis!

Thank you Stroller Warriors for making a difference in your local community and ultimately for our world; one bag of litter at a time.  Keep up the great work - we are proud of you and the example you are setting for our Mini Warriors! 

Have YOU been plogging?! If not, encourage your local Stroller Warriors Chapter to join the fun or simply bring a bag and glove on your next neighborhood run and share your adventures with us.  We'd love to hear about it!  

​Stroller Warriors around the world are jumping in on a streaking challenge to run at least 1 mile DAILY.  Often streaking starts out as a one-month challenge hosted by a chapter. Many Stroller Warriors, however, are finding they enjoy the streaking lifestyle and are sticking with it! Kristen S. is likely to blame as the mother runner who started streaking for the Stroller Warriors. I know the first time I ever heard of run-streaking was from her and her group of Stroller Warriors in Lakenheath!
 
In 2014 Kristen decided to take part in the Runners World Thanksgiving to New Year Streaking Challenge. Little did she know she was going to get hooked. Kristen ended up running 1,223 days IN A ROW!  That’s close to 3.5 years!! Through the course of her streak Kristen ran in 4 Countries and 10 different States. As you can probably imagine, she has run in all types of weather from sunshine to rain and snow to a hurricane.
 
What advice does Kristen have for you on streaking? “My advice is, do it!!! Even if it’s only a few days or you end up going 3 years like I did. Knowing you can achieve it is amazing!!” 

​Kristen really put her dedication to the test during her running streak. She has run in a truck parking lot at 11:30pm carrying a crying child, while on the way to a marathon. She has run a mile in her hotel room in Malta in her pajamas. She ran on a visit to Charleston while playing Pokémon go. She ran her first 50k and also the day after, limping through the parking lot. She has run everything from 1 mile to 36 miles, Countless 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and full marathons. Kristen says it got to the point where she remembered to run better than she remembered to floss. Often, her husband would drop her one mile from home and she’d run home in order to keep her streak alive.
 
The craziest mile Kristen says she ever ran was, “also her creepiest mile, in a creepy caravan park [they] were staying in the night before the Portsmouth Marathon.” 

Kristen isn’t the only Stroller Warrior who is streaking. Lindsay S. started streaking with the Stroller Warriors of Quantico when they did a Thanksgiving to Christmas streaking challenge in the hope of keeping their members engaged and active. Lindsay says the running streak appealed to her because, “It sounded like a great way to stay motivated over the holiday and cold weather. I would tell myself it’s only a mile, but then it would push me to keep running on some of those days that I didn’t feel like running.”  She continued running past the 40 days the chapter was streaking and ran 151 days because, “It became a new goal for me. Could I make 100 days? Could I make 150 days? I had other Stroller Warriors continuing the streak with me too so I had a lot of support and accountability.” 
 
Often, Stroller Warriors chapters are making streaking exciting and fun by adding in a bingo challenge where you try to cross off various things during a run, like running with a dog (it can be a borrowed dog!) or a “Joey mile” where you run with every single possession of Stroller Warriors clothing that you own. The photos of Joey miles are often quite hilarious!

If you haven’t done a run streak, I encourage you to give it a go. However, keep in mind these important lessons:
 
Lessons learned while streaking:
1. It is possible to streak in regular clothes, regular shoes, no shoes, sports bra over regular clothes, etc. You might look silly but you’ll get the mile done!

2. Cross training is important. You need cross training to be a good runner. You need cross training to be injury free. Don’t neglect your cross training to do a running streak or you’ll end up sorry.
​
3. It can be hard to stop at 1 mile or at X number of days. MANY of the Stroller Warriors streakers that I talk to have reported that it’s often hard to stop running at 1 mile. Once they get past the first mile they keep going. They also report that once they start streaking they can't stop and even when they've reached their first, second or third streaking goal they are still sad if they have to stop their streak. 

4. Rest days are needed. Maybe even rest weeks! When you’re ‘resting’ during a streak it means just running 1 mile that day (or that week). Don’t keep going to rack up more mileage for runopoly.

5. Foam rolling is probably more important than ever to help break up muscle adhesions and helping your muscles keep or get back their full range of motion.

6. Sleep when you can! Naps are okay. Naps while driving on the highway are not okay. Take extra rest when you can to try and help your body reload and recover from the extra work you’re putting in.

7. Streaking can help you not take running so seriously. It can also help you to share the joy of running with your kids or family. When a training schedule dictates a certain mileage or a certain pace it can be easy to leave the kids on bikes and scooters home so you aren’t slowed down or burdened by tag-alongs.  Streaking will teach you the joy that comes with doing a mile with your kids. 1 mile may be the perfect distance for your kids, and when your goal is just a mile, the pace doesn’t matter. The kids can grab their bikes and loop the neighborhood with you or jump on the path to check out the ‘secret pathway’ through the trees. Streaking can open up an opportunity for kid-led runs where the distance and pace are completely set by them. 

​Streaking can lead to a lot of lessons learned and confidence built. However, you’ll never know if you don’t try.
 
Have you ever done a run streak? Tell us about it! How many days did you streak? What made you want to do it? What lessons did you learn along the way? 

​Written by Andrew M.

I couldn't believe it. I had just received the most desirable, magical piece of paper ever thought up by mankind. In my hands, I held my DD214. My End of Active Service orders. I was free. I remember driving off base thinking to myself, “This, right now, is the last time I'll ever wear this uniform. I'll make this drive many more times, but never for the same reasons. Wow.” I was out! FINALLLYYY!
  
But wait. Now what? Well, I speak Pashto so, let's see what they have for that. Well, looks like all of the jobs seem to be in Augusta, Georgia. That sounds like fun! But dang, Carolyn doesn't get out for a year. I know! I'll just come back every weekend! But dang, she's pregnant. What if I miss Charlie being born? Ugh. After much deliberation we decided that I'd try to find something in Jacksonville. I started off thinking, “This will be easy.” Yeah right. Even with the skills that I had acquired and the education I had, I found nothing worthwhile. I would basically be working to pay for daycare and before and after school care. No thanks.

Finally, I went to work the overnight shift at a local warehouse store. It started off great. I'd work all night, then head straight home. Carolyn and I would high-five. She'd head off to work and I'd take the kids to school and such. This worked out great until my boss decided to bump up my hours. I was seeing my pregnant wife almost not at all. (Although the bigger she got, she didn't really mind having the bed all to herself...lol.) Our family life turned into “Hi, hon...don't forget to 'fill-in-the-blank.' Have a good day! Bye!” <goodbye kiss> Neither of us cared much for it. Then came the final blow. Some far-away general decided that 2D Radio BN should begin 24/hr operations and that the best shift for my wife to work would be the midnight to 8:00 AM shift.  Cool. I didn't like my job much, anyways. Well, at least that problem solved itself. For the next month-ish I ended up busying myself with menial tasks around the house and having greater freedom for whatever the kids might need. ​

​Now back to those new found freedoms and liberties that I mentioned earlier. I had not been forced to run since January, 2011. When I got out, 2012 was more than halfway over. I finally started running on my own in June, 2012. It was pretty atrocious. For someone who had a respectable (read: far from perfect) running time while in the Corps, it was a real shock the first time I went running. But a new realization sprung up within me. The realization that I didn't *have* to run. I didn't have to do anything. Heck, if I wanted one man formations everyday at 0530, I could do it. (I didn't.)  This betrays my (extreme) stubbornness but I realized that now that I didn't have to run, I actually wanted to (for the first time in my life!).

​As I began running, I realized that a crucial aspect that I was missing was camaraderie. That was something that the Corps had plenty of, want it or not. Sometimes camaraderie was chasing you, letting you know that if it caught you, you'd really regret it later. Other times, camaraderie was more welcome, helping you where you needed it, giving you the push that you were too proud to ask for. Now, being in the land of the free, camaraderie had deserted me, leaving me to do what I wanted (including running at a pace far below that of my former “unfree” self)
​
I began searching out running buddies. I asked a few of my friends, former associates, and co-workers of my wife if they were interested in joining me for a run. But an interesting fact about Jacksonville is that the working population of the town already has PT scheduled for them. And for some reason, that seems to be enough. They aren't looking to get up at ridiculous hours or to extend their days any longer. And those very few that did want to do that were already part of a running group, typically made up of their fellow service members..
​
I had seen the Stroller Warriors stickers and was vaguely aware of the club but I had assumed (without basis) that they weren't as “serious” as what I was looking for. After not having much luck finding anyone else and since I’d soon be toting my own stroller, I looked into it.  First, I realized that they were a lot more serious than I had believed and I got really excited. Second, I realized that they were an exclusively female group. I was pretty surprised by this. I was talking with my friend Evan, also a stay-at-home parent, having just EAS'd from the Corps, and he and I developed these super-great plans to force Stroller Warriors accept male dependents. I mean, what kind of world is this? They just think that discrimination is cool? <insert perceived upper-class titter> Oh, we shall show them! So I jotted down a quick email and sent it off. The next day, I received the following response:
Hi Andrew, 
Thank you for contacting us.  Recently, we have been talking about including male spouses in our club.  One of our chapters, has been very successful with making it work.  So, if you are interested we would love to have you join us!  You would be the first male to join SWCL.

So, wait, I was welcome? They would “love to have me?” Was that an exclamation point/mark? Huh. Well, so much for the epic war that I was expecting. Expecting or maybe even hoping for? Hmm...
On January 21st, Charlie was born and I didn't run at all for a few weeks. I somehow had plenty to occupy myself with. Slowly, I started running again, pushing the stroller. I could not believe how hard it was!! Before, I would run fiveish miles with no problem. Now I was dying at two miles. But I kept trying and it slowly got better. 

​I was so into my own feelings regarding the Stroller Warriors that I wasn't paying attention to my Carolyn's feelings on the issue. She had mentioned before Charlie's birth, she felt that I had too much time on my hands and didn't want me associating with a 'bunch a women' with similar time constraints. After he was born, she was more of the feeling that I'd have my hands full. I'd also brought home a copy of the Military Spouse that Stroller Warriors was featured on and she got excited and (pointing to Stephanie) said, “Oh, I know her! She lives down the street. I've seen her at school with Teddy. We were pregnant at the same time.” Somehow, knowing Stephanie (even this little bit) made her feel as if this group was to be “trusted” and gave her the confidence that this wouldn't “...turn into another episode of Housewives of LA.” (Yes, those are quotatation marks (Is that a real show?).)

​Still, I didn't do anything. I'd resigned myself to the boring life of the male military spouse. I had the comfort that, since she was getting out soon (at that point, in September), I wouldn't have too much longer until roles reverted to what they were “supposed to be.” And by “supposed to be”, I've come to realize that this means whatever is easiest and most expected, both for myself and for society-at-large. This has nothing to do with this place called “The Real World.”

In early April, I heard about the Run for Cole from a friend. Seeing as it was on a day that Marines had off, I finally decided join up and to come out for an event. After all, Carolyn would be with me. I'd be safe. Carolyn and I had a great day. There were a lot of spouses, I felt comfortable, and she felt comfortable. It was important for her to actually see the club. I remember her noting things like how the group was bigger than she'd thought, how well setup it seemed, and how the climate was so positive.
​
For the event, Stephanie had asked if people would be willing to bring out food and snacks. I had volunteered to bring out chocolate chip cookies. After the run, when we were all eating, I heard a lot of (positive) comments on the cookies and people asking who'd made them. Normally, I'd have taken credit, but for some reason, I didn't. I later mentioned it to Carolyn in a random comment as I was collecting the tray that they were on and she expressed outrage. She (very memorably, to me) said, “Andrew, I've spent eleven years in the Marine Corps, trying to be a woman in a man's world, fighting this exact stereotype. Yes...it's PC for a woman to attain to a man's level. But its just as okay and right for a man to attain to a woman's level! You know this! Don't be ashamed of the fact that you are a good cook! Just because the shoe's on the other foot doesn't mean that you should meekly accept the stereotype!”

Those words were the kick-in-the-butt that I needed. I realized that I was the one that a point needed to be made to, not the group. How haughty could I have been! I was no longer trying to “prove a point.” Instead, I was the one in need! Only my pride, insecurity, and uneducated thinking had kept me from the club. I mean, come on, SW was exactly what I was looking for. They had an awesome, fully-functioning, fully-assembled running club and they were welcoming me with open arms. I decided to start coming. 

 Did this magically make it all better? No. I'll be honest, the first actual workout that I went to, I still felt out of place and a little awkward. But apparently I was the only one. That day I met a great deal of members, from SW leadership to the rank-and-file members. Although each person was unique, the one thing that all had in common is that they wanted me to feel welcome. This was only the beginning. I thought that I knew what SW was all about, but this was the beginning of my education. As I began attending workouts, I once again felt the camaraderie that I mentioned earlier. But more than just a running camaraderie, I realized this was a way-of-life camaraderie. Regardless of who you were, there was someone there who related to what you were dealing with and had the information that you needed and the willingness to share it. This was not a running club, this was a network of like-minded individuals who also happened to enjoy a good outing on Greenway Trail pushing the kids or waking up at 5:30 AM to go for a ten mile run. Well, “enjoy” might be the wrong word for the latter.​

​Looking back, I'm amazed at how much I've learned from this club. Yes, I may have been able to gain access to the club (against its will), but thankfully we never had to find out. The club was too mature for my immaturity. More importantly, I had completely missed the point. Earning “the right” to attend a particular clubs functions would not have earned me any favor, respect, or goodwill. Funny thing about those characteristics is that they are pretty much only gained when one first gives them. Well, heck, I wish I'd have learned this before age 30, but hey, at least you folks were there to do the teaching when I was ready. For the record, you were all pretty nice about it, too. Thank you all!


Andrew Morris is a former marine, military spouse, stay at home dad to Teddy, Leo, and Charlie, and Stroller Warrior. Starting June 11th, he'll also be a full time resident of Illinois and a student at the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign. He and his family will be greatly missed at SWCL but as he says..."Once a Stroller Warrior, Always a Stroller Warrior."

Today we have for you the founding story of Stroller Warriors® Fort Riley!
 
Stroller Warriors® Fort Riley was founded by Christie L. and we are so grateful that she did!  After only 6 months of running with the Stroller Warriors in Monterrey, CA her husband received unexpected orders to Kansas!

We will let her share her story in her own words...

By: Christie L.
 
    I first heard about Stroller Warriors® when my soldier was stationed at the Language School in Monterey, CA. At that point in my life, I had only been running for about a year. I had started running to help encourage my husband in his running as he was preparing to leave for basic training. So not only was I new to running, I was also new to the military life. I was 32 with 3 kids and 13 years of marriage behind me.
    Leaving our home in South Carolina after 13 years is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. California might as well have been a foreign country. I was lonely, missing home, family, friends, and all things familiar. Finding Stroller Warriors® Monterey was a life saver for me! I never realized that running could be a “team” sport and was intrigued by their mission and loved that it was for military spouses, i.e. people like me!

     My first workout was not the shining moment I hoped it would be! I am not by nature an outgoing person, so just showing up was very hard for me. At this point, I hadn’t run more than a handful of times in the months leading up to our move and arriving in Monterey. There were HILLS (I’m from FLAT Coastal Carolina), I did not have a stroller, I got lost on the trail (totally my fault), started having knee pain, and didn’t stay for the post run workout. To say I was discouraged was an understatement. But I made myself go back. I don’t remember my second workout, but it must have been better because I kept going! I met some wonderful ladies, bought a jogging stroller, joined C25k, and ran my first ever 5k race with the C25k group. I was hooked!
  We unexpectedly got orders to Fort Riley, KS after only 6 months in Monterey. The first thing I checked was whether they had a chapter there. The second thing I did was talk to Virginia Martinez and Kelly Mulder how to go about starting a chapter! They pointed me to the global page and encouraged me to get settled then fill out an application.
    We PCS’d to Fort Riley in Oct-Nov of 2015 and arrived just in time for a rude awakening to Kansas winter: below freezing temps, ice, snow, and WIND! Needless to say, I did NOT run at all during our first winter here! I knew I wanted to start a chapter here and I strongly believed in the SW mission and wanted to help and encourage military spouses like I had been in Monterey. I also knew that I was going to have to brave the cold weather, get out there and get running before I did!! I started the C25k app for the second time and with the encouragement of a friend, signed up for my first ever paid race! I felt like I was ready to get moving on starting a chapter here.

  When I reached out to Kelly again, I found out that HQ was on break from starting any new chapters but would pick up again in the fall. During the late spring and summer of 2016, with the company of a couple runner friends, I kept up with my running and trained for my first 10k. I worked on my application for Stroller Warriors® and also started preparing for my husband’s 1st deployment to Korea.
  It was a very busy and emotionally crazy time for us, but I knew I wanted to see this through and bring Stroller Warriors® to Fort Riley. I submitted my application, waited on pins and needles for the Skype interview and to hear whether or not this was going to become a reality. All of us coordinators know how much work on our end and HQ’s end goes into starting a new chapter. It’s hard, overwhelming, and scary all at the same time. But Stephanie and the staff have it down to a science on launching new chapters and even though it was nerve wracking, I felt prepared to start this venture.

  We said “see ya later” to my husband on October 15 and our inaugural workout was October 18, 2016. We had 14 in attendance and beautiful weather. I left feeling happy and encouraged that once again, Stroller Warriors was there for me during a significant upheaval in my life. I was able to make it through our first deployment, found amazing new running friends, and discovered a whole new level of love for running!

  Being a coordinator for this club has grown me in ways I never imagined. I thought I knew a lot about running and fitness when we started, but I have learned so much more since then and know there is so much that I could still learn! Most of all, I am just so thankful for the opportunity to help other military spouses in the same way that I was helped. To not just survive the military life but thrive!

  Thank you so much Christie for sharing your founding story with us!

  If you’re a Chapter Founder and would like your story featured please email me at paige.swglobal@gmail.com! We would love to have this for ALL of our chapters!
If you’re interested in founding a chapter and bringing Stroller Warriors to your location, please follow these instructions.

By Kim B.

​Military life means experiencing different climates due to while living all over the world.  Continuing to stay active in the summer is difficult and requires additional strategies, especially immediately after a PCS. Allow yourself plenty of grace and keep active. It will take time to climatize but you can do this.  
 
When we first moved from North Carolina to Central Florida, I vowed to give up running and become a gym rat.  However my true runner couldn’t handle the indoors and soon enough I was sweating and crying through the miles. One day I saw a neighbor with a racing shirt on. The inner Stroller Warrior in me walked up to her and asked if she was a runner. Wouldn’t you know my luck she was and she had also just moved to Tampa from Reno! We struggled through the summer months together. After almost four years later, she is my sole sister and best friend. We have run 2 half marathons, 2 marathons, 2 ultra-marathons and our first ever sprint triathlon together. 
 
Below are some helpful hints to help you run through those summer months and achieve your goals. Feel free to comment below with other hints that have helped you or questions you have. We always love to hear from you!
 
Be a Camel: Being hydrated is always important, but it is critical in the summer months. TMI, but your urine should be a very light yellow or clear if you are getting enough fluids (Sorry but it needs to be said). Also remember you NEED to be carrying and drinking at least 20 oz. per 5 miles that you run. Including some sort of electrolytes will also be beneficial. These include sports drinks, electrolyte pills, and tablets. Everyone is different, so much like your nutrition strategy, you will want to do some trial and error to find what works well for you. Replacing your salt and electrolytes will prevent you from getting hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is a low level of sodium in the blood. Symptoms can be mild to severe. Every runner should know what hyponatremia is and should be taking steps to prevent it.

​Change of Pace: Humidity is nothing to ignore. Know that it will change your pace. Summer months can slow you down, up to 90 seconds per mile. Don’t fret because your continued commitment to your running will show in the winter with PR gains. Run according to effort and not your watch pace. Turn your watch upside down or turn it off completely if you find yourself overly focused on pace.

Listen to Your Mom: If your mom was like mine, you got held down poolside while she covered you in thick white sunscreen. You looked like a ghost and your friends probably laughed but skin cancer is no laughing matter.  Trust me!  I have already had my first basal cell carcinoma removed from my chest at the young age of 38 years old.  This is not an elderly disease.  Please cover yourself with at least 30 SPF sunscreen.  I know it seems like you will only be out for 30-60 minutes but those minutes add up and over the entire course of the summer that is a lot of exposure.  So leave that sunscreen in your car or by your running shoes and lather up on your way out. ​

​Light Up Your Life: Running early in the morning or later in the evening become popular in the summer. With the sun absent it helps tremendously with the temps but you want to make sure you can be seen. Invest in a headlamp and/or reflective gear. Running on base? You are required to wear a reflective belt before and after colors. Invite a friend to join you to increase your safety for an early morning or late night run.
 
Summer running can take an extra toll on your body but don't give up! You are doing great! Keep up the hard work and you will see results when it starts to cool down. Continuing to run in extreme temperatures takes some extra guts. Be proud of yourself for getting out there! and know that I’m so proud of you too!

Happy Running! 
​Kim

​If you’re a member of Stroller Warriors Camp Lejeune or Stroller Warriors Quantico, chances are you’ve met a wonderful little horse named Lou. If you haven’t met Lou in person, you’ve probably seen photos involving a horse head and a human body... That’s Lou! At SW Camp Lejeune he has his own race series and he is featured on the Geraghty Gallop 8K shirts, which maybe you own one?! Lou’s story starts out many years ago but today he has unofficial become the mascot of Stroller Warriors.
 
Hold on to your horses, I’m about to give you the inside scoop of how he came to be!

​The story of Lou begins with Stephanie Geraghty, our Fearless Founder and her husband, Brian. I’m going to let Stephanie tell you the story of Lou in her own words…
 
“My husband Brian deployed in 2013. When he came home, one of his numerous bags was open just enough for me to see a strange object. I pulled it out. A creepy horse's head?! What in the world?! So I went and found him and said, um, what is this and why did it come home from Africa? He explained that they played a trick on one of the Marines and had put this horse head into the guys' bed, with the sheet pulled up. And the Marine walked into the room with a super weird horse in his bed. Brian thought this was hysterical. I would venture to say craziness like that is an effort for sanity in an otherwise non-normal world during deployments! You all know that too well.
 
So I chuckled, looked at him a little strangely, and threw the horse head in the closet. I wasn't sure what to do with it. A bunch of Marines creeping around with a horse head seemed a bit odd but I didn't feel right throwing it away either! It almost seemed like a piece of deployment history! 

​Now I should also explain further that I have loved horses since I could remember, asked for a horse for Christmas every year of my childhood. I drew them, read about them, rode them when I could, and loved them. I was legit horse crazy.
 
Ponies have also been a bit of an ongoing joke with Brian and me for many years now. My younger sister lived with us for a couple years early in our marriage 2006-2007, and we had this little stuffed Shetland pony that we would set around the house stalking her. Yes, you heard that right, we had a creepy beanie baby that would sit in the middle of the hallway and wait for Jen to open her door. We found this wildly amusing. She generally kicked it aside and just glared at us. I also threw Brian a "pony birthday" party when he was 27. We had hats and decorations and everything. My sister and I thought this was pretty hilarious! Brian's turn to glare. LOL. Perhaps we're a weird bunch. I'm okay with that!
Another tidbit that adds to this story....when people tell me they have something for me, or are sending me something, I almost always respond, "Is it a pony?!" Cause I really only want a Shetland pony. Hehehe. 

​This joke carried on with our Stroller Warriors Camp Lejeune Coordination team and I believe one conversation we had behind the scenes referenced a horse that I wanted to name Lou. The coordination team has a lot of work to do making a chapter work, but I will admit we have a lot of fun too! Sometimes our discussions meander. That night Lou was secretly born.
 
Hold on...there's more...I promise I'll get to the point soon.
 
So one night on the Stroller Warriors Camp Lejeune chapter page, a round of "Late Night with Stroller Warriors" occurred. "Late Night" was deemed an extremely long conversation thread that erupted on the page randomly, usually at night, and generally didn't make much sense and was just hilarious. You know, when kids are in bed and Stroller Warriors are bored and trolling the chapter page to see what their friends are up to! Ha! That particular Late Night thread started off referencing whether or not Amy should approach someone in her neighborhood that had a SW sticker on her car. From there the discussion moved to complete and utter support for Stroller Warriors stalking, debates on what treat to use to bribe the prospective new friend to come to a workout, and then there was also mention of a field of horses nearby and if it'd be okay to go on the land without permission. ?! I might be remembering incorrectly but it was super random. Like I said, late night convos can be quite interesting!!! 

​Deana jumped into the conversation and gave the horse a name...Lou. Everyone thought the discussion thread was pretty hilarious and I remember logging in later and seeing a million notifications and thinking what in the world happened? Late Night with Stroller Warriors happened. And Lou happened!
 
We had the Gift of BOB coming up shortly after and we decided to arrange a surprise guest to present the shiny new BOB strollers to their excited recipients. I pulled Toni H aside at the workout, handed her a t-shirt and the Marines' creepy prankster horse head, and said, put it on and be ready to trot on stage when I call you. She looked at me like I had lost my mind but being the amazing friend and volunteer she is, she obliged. I will never forget her literally galloping up to the microphone, waving at her adoring fans, and the leadership team laughing so hard we were practically in tears. There were also a good portion of the members at the workout that didn't quite know the whole story and surely they thought, what in the world is happening. That just added to the allure of Lou. You're just never quite sure what he's all about until you meet him, see him in action, and then you get it. 

​Ever since that Gift of BOB, Lou pops up at SWCL events with one goal in mind...to bring a smile!!!!!!!! He cheers, he claps, he waves, he leaps, he high-fives, he butt slaps, he holds motivational signs, he hugs, he stalks, he gets into weird predicaments, he creeps (yes, he's a bit creepy in all his antics)...and he ALWAYS brings happiness. He's been worn by Stroller Warriors, spouses, and children, more than we can count, traveled a lot of miles, and he never fails his mission. Our volunteers have all been faithful about making sure Lou pops up when you need him most. He rests in the SW warehouse but is always ready to respond to a call!
I hope you love Lou as much as we all do! I miss him. Or, perhaps I miss all my friends who embody the fun that he is. Yeah...I bet that is it.”

Spring is here! Many chapters are beginning to host their first Couch to 5K (C25K) training group for the year and in just 8 weeks time, it will be C25K Graduation race day! So many new runners are experiencing that runner's high and are subsequently being bitten HARD by the running bug.  We often hear, post C25K Graduation race, "so… now what?!"

Well, we'd love for you to consider jumping on the Stroller Warriors® Couch to Crazy train with your fellow warriors! Continue running regularly, and in time, train for a 10K, half marathon, and possibly, a full marathon? BUT before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk some logistics for such new, huge, crazy awesome personal goals!

*Not a C25K Grad, yet?! All of this information can be used for your first 5K too – so keep reading!*

When I read about Stroller Warriors® Camp Lejeune’s (SWCL) Couch to Crazy (C2C) Program in 2014, I could run a 5K, but running a 10K?!, now that felt like a big deal, and a half marathon - whew - that definitely sounded crazy! I wasn’t sure at the time, but training for a half marathon seemed like a great long-term goal for myself during my husband's 2nd deployment (and it totally WAS)!  To keep from freaking out about all of the miles, I set my sights on JUST the 10K goal.

Finding a Race!

This is a KEY first step for me, because without a solid race date, I am less likely to stick to the training plan. Lucky for me there was a local race with a HUGE SWCL presence coming up that had a 10K option… I had found my race AND I had time to train for it too.

How to Find YOUR Race?

-Ask in your Stroller Warriors® Chapter’s Facebook Page!
There are usually warriors who have lived at that duty station for a year or so and have run some really fun, well organized, awesome medaled races that they would love to share with you about.

-Check out the FILES section of your chapter’s Facebook page – some chapters may have a “Races File” that they keep up to date!  If your chapter doesn't have this file – consider starting one to share with the coordination staff.

-Find a race that is interesting to you & try to recruit some SW friends to join you! If you have enough fellow warriors who are interested, contact your chapter's coordination staff about contacting the race organizer about a discount. (usually a minimum of 10-20, but you’ll never know if you don’t ask!)

-Find a local running store and see if they have any flyers up or have any races they would recommend - Locals can be a great resource.

- Lastly, but always an option, check out www.runningintheusa.com

Choosing a Training Plan!

Now that you have chosen your race, it’s time to choose a training plan to prepare you, mind and body, for race day! There are many options, so I am just going to share the ones that I have come across over the years.  You’ll have to research each one and see what is going to be the best fit for you and your family life. Some require more time than others, so keep that in mind when choosing.

Some of the options focus on MILEAGE for each training day, others focus on how long (TIME) you are on your feet.  I personally preferred the mileage training plans because I needed to know (for my own sanity on race day) what the longest distance I had gone was.  There are also training plans that focus on HOW you are moving during that mileage or time… Are you running the whole time? Taking walk breaks at various intervals?, etc.  And, if you like to cross things off when complete, find a plan that you can print out vs. clicking "complete" on an app! Archaic, I know! ;)

- Hal Higdon 
- Run Coach 
- Hansons Method 
- Jeff Galloway - Run, Walk, Run Method 
- Various Apps (free and paid)  Nike, Under Armour, Zen Labs C25K app, etc.
- Ask your fellow Stroller Warriors® about THEIR favorite training plan and don’t forget to ask WHY… Chances are they have tried more than one, tweaked another, and found a good fit for them that you might want to consider!

For Marine Corps Marathon training, I chose a plan that only had me running three days a week, because with a 6-month-old who wasn't sleeping through the night, that was all I could muster up the energy for! For my long run on the weekends, I hired a babysitter so I didn’t have to depend on my husband, who traveled often, for childcare.  It was my weekly “me time” that I looked forward to. 
Do what you have to do, because YOUR huge, crazy, awesome goals ARE important and worth the extra effort!

Cross Training!

Sorry runners, but this is another, "find what works best for YOU!"  There are so many options to help you keep moving and loosening up on non-run days and they are SO important. If you haven’t done any cross training lately… let me encourage you, while I encourage myself ;), to add even just one day a week to start! Don’t fret when a training plan has 3 days and you only fit in one… one will be better than none! You will be stretching and strengthening muscles that you don’t use on run days and your body will thank you!

- Strength Training - Weights
- Swimming
- Yoga, Pilates, Barre
- Cycling
- HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
Don't forget about foam rolling - that can really help too!

I hope this has given you some options to consider on your journey to achieving Stroller Warriors® Couch to Crazy (and possibly beyond) status.

Crossing the finish line after each race you have trained for is priceless, so start looking for your next race to run and don’t look back! Cheers to training for and racing distances that you never thought possible!

-Paige

Not familiar with Couch to Crazy?!
The purpose of the Stroller Warriors® Couch to Crazy program is to encourage and guide you SW style to run a 5K race first, then a 10K race , and then a HALF MARATHON race! This program is set up to include runners of all abilities. Some of you may have never run a 5K or even dreamed that you could. Some of you may have run a 5K, but never any further. And some may have tackled the 10K distance but have not gone full on Couch to Crazy and run a half marathon. That's okay! Anyone is welcome to participate.
*The main point of Couch to Crazy is to encourage a progression...
Building up from a 5K to a 10K and finally to a half marathon, within a calendar year’s time.*
Contact your chapter's coordination staff for more information!

Finding a good used running stroller can be JUST as good as buying new, if you are willing to search for the right one for you! There are SO many different stroller options to consider… brand, single or double, fixed or swivel front wheel, smaller or larger back wheels, the list goes on…

Where to begin?!

Fixed or Swivel Front Wheel - Personally, the first thing I look at is whether the stroller has a fixed or swivel front wheel!  While a fixed front wheel might be a “true” running stroller, when do you ever just get to run straight?! Therefore, since you WILL have to turn at some point, with a fixed front wheel, you will have to apply downward pressure, to lift the front wheel up, turn, and then let the front wheel back down… all that is extra WORK! A fixed front wheel will work, but if a front swivel wheel is an option – that is what I would choose, hands down!  *Note – a swivel wheel can be locked into the fixed wheel position if needed*

Frame - Next, I look at the frame of the stroller. Is the frame bent or significantly rusted in any place?  Those would be reasons to keep looking… a bent frame won’t work well and considerable rusting isn’t good either.

Wheels & Tires – With regard to the wheels, the BIGGER the BACK wheels, the more easily they will go over rocks and curbs and the like… I would choose a wheel with a larger diameter for this reason, but a smaller wheel, would still work too. 
Are the wheels bent in any way? Do the wheels attach securely to the frame or is there a bit of space allowing the stroller to wobble, even ever so slightly, when you run?  Some wobble may be doable, but too much space can cause for some very unsafe running!  Be sure to take it for a test run, with kids/weight of a heavy bag in it to find out.  The front wheel of a used running stroller usually has the most wobble, if any, but pay close attention to all three.

Brand – BOB (Baby on Board), Baby Jogger, and Baby Trend are all very common, however BOB probably has the best brand recognition among mother runners and will be good for resale purposes.

Tires -  How is the tread?  If there isn’t much tread left, that is OKAY! MOST running stroller’s tires can be replaced fairly cheaply, so don’t let that deter you from buying it. If the tires are flat/not holding air for long periods of time, it may be because they need the tubes replaced.  Again, this is something that can be replaced fairly easily and cheaply.

Buckles – You will want to be able to secure your mini Warriors, so be sure that all of the parts of the buckles are there and are functional.  It might be something you can replace, but for older models, this might not be an option. 

Fabric – With most used running strollers, there is going to be some amount of fading, which is mainly cosmetic, so be looking more for rips and tears that can or can not be patched or reinforced. 

Handle Bar – Most handle bars have a neoprene type cover over the metal.  With a used running stroller, this neoprene might be dirty, worn or even torn in spots.  Great news!  This is cosmetic and you can cheaply replace the entire handle bar wrap and it will be as good as new!
Something else to consider about the handlebar is whether it is adjustable or not, and do you need it to be?  Many of the newer models have a handle bar that adjusts, up and down. If your spouse might be running with it, this would be an added bonus if they are significantly taller than you.

Double or Single – Obviously looking at your needs, you’d need to decide if you should get a single or a double. Some run with a heavy bag in the second side of the stroller if they have a toddler and will be expecting a new baby in the near future.

Hand Brake – Many newer models will have a hand brake, which will help you slow down going downhill.  While not necessary in flat running locations, it would be a nice feature if you lived in a hilly area. 

Price – What should you expect to pay for a used running stroller?! Well, that depends on so many things, but here are a few:  your location, brand of the stroller, age of the stroller, extra features, like an adjustable handle bar, hand brake or wind shield) condition of the stroller (BOBs typically hold their resale value, even 5 years after their manufacture date), etc.  Ultimately, you will have to decide how much of an investment you’re willing to make, based on how long you plan to use the stroller.

Where to find one?!
Ask on your Stroller Warriors' chapter’s page, specifically in the Swap Shop Facebook page; if your chapter has one. Look in the Marketplace of Facebook, as well as local buy/sell/trade Facebook pages. Craigslist and Bookoo might also have some for sale.  Don’t be afraid to drive an hour or so away to get a better deal!

Accessories - Snack tray/car seat adapter, Handle Bar Console for phone/keys/water, Wind Shield, & Tire Pump.

Lastly, remember that your fellow Stroller Warriors have lots of first-hand knowledge about a variety of running strollers, so if you aren’t sure about a certain aspect of a stroller you are considering, don’t be afraid to reach out to them and ask for their insight!

Running with your mini warriors is such a rewarding and fun activity for everyone once you have the right stroller!  Now that you have a few of the MANY features to keep in mind… It’s time to find the perfect one for you and enjoy many miles  and memories with your Mini Warrior!

Good luck and happy shopping!
-Paige

What do you need to know about trail running? I’m here to tell you! Trail running is one of my favorite pastimes. The adrenaline you get from trail running is like nothing else. Trail running engages your mind and your body and is a great addition to spice up your miles. I highly encourage everyone give it a try!

1. Your Pace. Don’t expect your pace on the trail to be the same as on a road. With trail running the terrain often dictates your pace. Sometimes you can go fast, sometimes you have to go slow. How much you’re climbing, the elevation on the trail, and how technical the trail is are all big factors in your pace. I have different PR categories for trail races for this reason. If I didn’t, all of my PRs would be from road races. 

2. Shoes. There is a difference between trail running shoes and road running shoes. Trail shoes have a deeper tread and can help you have better traction. Trail shoes can weigh a bit more than road shoes, so build up your long runs in them and don’t just do a long run your first day in trail shoes. You can wear trail shoes for the road and you can wear road shoes on the trail. However, if it’s a slippery, muddy trail or a trail with lots of little pieces of gravel you’d wish you had brought your trail shoes. Not to scare you, but one time my trail shoes saved my life. I was running down a mountain, following a friend, (I didn’t know the course) not knowing we were heading towards a 90- degree turn, that if we didn’t make we’d go flying off the cliff. Well, I had to skid to a halt to try to make that 90 degree turn and literally stopped centimeters from the edge. Had I not been in my trail shoes I don’t think I would have stopped in time.

​3. Gaiters. If you don't like dirt, rocks or sticks in your shoes you can purchase gaiters that go over your shoe and up to your ankle. They'll block anything uncomfortable from getting in. 

4. Wildlife. Know the animals that are in your habitat and know how to handle them, if needed. For example, in Monterey we had mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, rattle snakes (among other snakes), deer, and dusty footed rats. I preferred to run with friends because I knew most of these animals wouldn’t attack a group of people. On your own you’re an easier target. In Okinawa, you’ll have the habu snake to look out for. Habu are territorial but they're also nocturnal so your chances of running into them in the daytime are much less. Knowing what to look out for, what to avoid and how to handle whatever creature that might come your way will help you to be more confident and prepared.

​5. Pay attention to Poop. Not yours, theirs! Pay attention to the poop you see on the trail. If there is hair in it, something that eats mammals has been around and you should be on high alert. Pay attention to the tracks on the trails. Being observant is not only fun, but it also helps you to be safer! Mountain lions for example are like cats, so their paw prints will not have claw marks in the dirt/sand. They will retract their claws when running or walking and put their claws out when attacking. So if you see big paw prints with claws running along the same trail, it’s likely a dog someone took on the trail with them.
​
6. Run with Friends. There is safety in numbers, not just from animal attacks but from people attacks too. Running with friends is always a great idea. If you need to run alone, arm yourself properly in whatever way you feel fit and don’t wear earphones so you can hear if someone or something is approaching.

7. On the Trail. After you cross an intersection or make a turn, turn around and look behind you to get your bearings. You will be glad you did on your way back because things don’t always look the same from a different angle. You can also use trail tape to mark your way. Mark before the intersection and then again after. Pick up your trail tape when you’re done so you leave no trace in the wilderness. Trail tape is thin colored plastic that can be ripped and hung up like a ribbon. You can buy it pretty much anywhere, like at Walmart or the exchange or an outdoor store.

8. Bring a cell phone, first aid kit, whistle, water and snacks. Any time I head out on the trail I take all of these items with me, even if it’s just for a 3 mile run. Heaven forbid I accidentally lose my way I want to be able to find my way back, and be able to live through being lost. My cell phone, with its built in GPS is invaluable. You can download maps before you head out if you’re going into an area with no cell phone reception. I’ve been trail running a lot of places within California and haven’t lost reception yet. Being a little blue dot on a map helps me tremendously for finding my way back! I always bring water because water is essential to life! My first aid kit, which has duct tape, toilet paper, and band-aids among a few other things. I also throw into my backpack some food. My whistle is attached to my Camelbak, it's a part of the buckle. If I do go off a cliff or get lost I can sit down and whistle until someone else comes and finds me.

9. Know the local insects. Some areas have a high tick population for example. Ticks can carry blood born diseases. I have a ritual after trail running where I go right into the house and up to the shower. I don’t sit down on the couch, I don’t stretch in the front yard, etc. I get inside, take my clothes off inside-out and shower. While I’m showering I’m making sure to use good soap to wash off any poison ivy or sumac I may have come into contact with. I also do a quick tick check and look/feel for ticks. 

​10. Know the local vegetation. Each area will have it’s own dangerous or poisonous vegetation. In Okinawa for example, there is a plant that if a dog eats, it will be poisoned and die. In the USA you need to be aware of poison Ivy/poison sumac/poison oak. You’ll want to learn what it looks like so you can avoid it. True story for you. One time I was on a trail run with my husband and had to pee. So I went behind a tree to squat. I felt something brush up against my butt when I squatted, but didn’t think too much of it until my husband took a turn to pee and said, “Oh man, there was a lot of poison oak back there.” We were in the middle of our run so I had 4 miles to think about whether or not I had touched it. Well, it turns out I had and the next two weeks were the ITCHIEST two weeks of my life. I cannot tell you how uncomfortable it was (it was really terrible!), but you all probably know how inappropriate it is to itch your butt, LOL! Learn from my mistake. Learn what vegetation you should stay away from, and stay away from it!

11. Take Pictures! The trail is SO beautiful! You will be seeing sights that can only be seen on foot. Treasure the memories and take as many photos as you like. My only regret has always been that I didn’t take MORE pictures. So take more pictures rather than less. A few years later when you’ve moved and you can no longer run those same trails, you’ll thank me! Relax, enjoy nature, and take photos.  

12. HAVE FUN! Trail running is the most interesting, engaging and satisfying running I’ve ever done. You’re never bored. You’re constantly met with new challenges and obstacles, even when you’re running the same trails. You’ll finish your run relaxed, refreshed and re-energized. So get out there and have some fun!  

​Happy Running!
Kelly