For more info on a training near you:
Southwest Raleigh/Apex Training:
jen.kedrowski@strollerstrides.net, 888-389-0701
Midtown/North Raleigh Training:
missycurrin@strollerstrides.net, 888-760-0142
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Click below for more info on classes & playgroups!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
5 Reasons to Train for a 5K with Stroller Strides
Sunday, August 5, 2012
My 5K Training Experience- Fall 2011
Our Midtown Moms on the Run 5K training program is gearing up to start again on August 20th! This will be our 3rd time offering the program and we can't wait to see some of you cross the finish line for the very first time!
In honor of this exciting program I (Missy) am going to share my experience as a participant (yes- that's right, the teacher became the student!) in the Midtown Moms on the Run 5K program last fall (2011). There are a few things you need to know about me. The first is that I love to exercise- but I strongly dislike distance running. I used to joke that the only time I ran was if something big and scary was chasing me and I was generally referencing an opponent on my high school field hockey and lacrosse teams. The second thing you need to know is that in mid-August of 2011 I had arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus. I was bound and determined to be back teaching Stroller Strides by the 4 week post-op mark and I did it! But boy- did my cardio suffer while I rehabbed that knee. And in truth it had been suffering all summer as I limped through class getting ready for my surgery. So with the goal of increasing my stamina, speed, and overall desire to go for a run- I decided to participate in our inaugural 5K training program and this is my story...
Our 5K program started in early October with a great 1 mile run/walk at Shelley Lake with kiddos along for the ride in their strollers. Even though it was a short run it gave me the confidence I needed to make it through the rest of the program as we gradually increased the duration and distance of our running over the following 8 weeks. As the program progressed I found myself reading about and trying out new running form. I downloaded the RunKeeper App on my new iPhone and became a distance and speed tracking nerd! I even braved the treadmills at the YMCA (which I had always found to be ultra boring) and loved switching my usual stroller-pushing outdoor run with an easy, flat, cushioned, solo run every once in a while. I had just one physical set-back during the program when in a moment of stupidity, I attempted to retrieve my fallen iPhone while still running on the treadmill and was launched off the back. Despite a bruised and scraped up shin (on my post-op leg no less) I soldiered on and decided that next time I would turn the treadmill off before trying to retrieve anything that fell.
As the weeks went by and the weather turned chillier I found myself enjoying our Saturday runs on the Capital Greenway the most. I loved to layer up and slip out of the house by myself for a group training run. Amazingly, running felt like such an indulgence! The pavement seemed to pass under my feet as I ran alongside other chatty moms like myself. My speed increased as I learned how to be a more efficient runner. My stamina increased and I was able to run for 4+ miles- and enjoy it! My confidence increased and I approached our goal race, The Jingle Bell Run, with the goal of finishing in under 30 minutes.
I'm happy to say that I achieved my goal that chilly December morning- wearing a ridiculous snowman hat, knee-high red snowflake socks and a jingle bell of course! I loved being a part of the program and I don't think I would have made such a speedy and fun recovery from my surgery if I had attempted a 5K training program on my own.
No matter what your motivation is or what your goals are- if you're thinking about signing up for our 5K program YOU SHOULD DO IT! Here is a link to the program details for THIS fall's program- feel free to share with friends, spouses, neighbors, and other family members: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1406276.11083530079/rid:998b12cb5f3c2a2cd7200d86ab75f67b
In honor of this exciting program I (Missy) am going to share my experience as a participant (yes- that's right, the teacher became the student!) in the Midtown Moms on the Run 5K program last fall (2011). There are a few things you need to know about me. The first is that I love to exercise- but I strongly dislike distance running. I used to joke that the only time I ran was if something big and scary was chasing me and I was generally referencing an opponent on my high school field hockey and lacrosse teams. The second thing you need to know is that in mid-August of 2011 I had arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus. I was bound and determined to be back teaching Stroller Strides by the 4 week post-op mark and I did it! But boy- did my cardio suffer while I rehabbed that knee. And in truth it had been suffering all summer as I limped through class getting ready for my surgery. So with the goal of increasing my stamina, speed, and overall desire to go for a run- I decided to participate in our inaugural 5K training program and this is my story...
Our 5K program started in early October with a great 1 mile run/walk at Shelley Lake with kiddos along for the ride in their strollers. Even though it was a short run it gave me the confidence I needed to make it through the rest of the program as we gradually increased the duration and distance of our running over the following 8 weeks. As the program progressed I found myself reading about and trying out new running form. I downloaded the RunKeeper App on my new iPhone and became a distance and speed tracking nerd! I even braved the treadmills at the YMCA (which I had always found to be ultra boring) and loved switching my usual stroller-pushing outdoor run with an easy, flat, cushioned, solo run every once in a while. I had just one physical set-back during the program when in a moment of stupidity, I attempted to retrieve my fallen iPhone while still running on the treadmill and was launched off the back. Despite a bruised and scraped up shin (on my post-op leg no less) I soldiered on and decided that next time I would turn the treadmill off before trying to retrieve anything that fell.
As the weeks went by and the weather turned chillier I found myself enjoying our Saturday runs on the Capital Greenway the most. I loved to layer up and slip out of the house by myself for a group training run. Amazingly, running felt like such an indulgence! The pavement seemed to pass under my feet as I ran alongside other chatty moms like myself. My speed increased as I learned how to be a more efficient runner. My stamina increased and I was able to run for 4+ miles- and enjoy it! My confidence increased and I approached our goal race, The Jingle Bell Run, with the goal of finishing in under 30 minutes.
Team Stroller Strides at the Jingle Bell Run 2011
I'm happy to say that I achieved my goal that chilly December morning- wearing a ridiculous snowman hat, knee-high red snowflake socks and a jingle bell of course! I loved being a part of the program and I don't think I would have made such a speedy and fun recovery from my surgery if I had attempted a 5K training program on my own.
No matter what your motivation is or what your goals are- if you're thinking about signing up for our 5K program YOU SHOULD DO IT! Here is a link to the program details for THIS fall's program- feel free to share with friends, spouses, neighbors, and other family members: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1406276.11083530079/rid:998b12cb5f3c2a2cd7200d86ab75f67b
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Our August Mom of the Month
Our Mom of the Month program honors one our of Stroller Strides moms for her efforts to live a healthy lifestyle. Our August Mom of the Month is Joanne Cross, aka Hartley and Reagan's mom (pictured below with her whole family)!
Joanne first started Stroller Strides class with us when she was a mom of one beautiful little girl. She stuck with us (as her health allowed) through her 2nd pregnancy, took a brief maternity leave, and has been back in class for months pushing both girls in a double jogger!
Lots of obstacles stand in the way of new moms and moms of multiple children getting to class but Joanne doesn't let late sleepers, feedings, diaper blow-outs, tantrums or anything else keep her from class- even if it means arriving a few minutes late! Many of our Stroller Strides moms recently delivered or are expecting baby #2 this fall and we hope they'll find Joanne's efforts and results inspiring! Thanks, Joanne, for being such a great role model to your family and to our Stroller Strides community!
We asked Joanne a few questions to get to know her better and this is what she said:
Hometown: Oakland, NJ
Education: BA at UNC Wilmington
Stroller Strides Member since: Feb 2011
Members of your Family: husBrennan, Hartley (23 months), Reagan (6 months), Vegas (lab/great dane mix) and Bella (westie)
Joanne first started Stroller Strides class with us when she was a mom of one beautiful little girl. She stuck with us (as her health allowed) through her 2nd pregnancy, took a brief maternity leave, and has been back in class for months pushing both girls in a double jogger!
Lots of obstacles stand in the way of new moms and moms of multiple children getting to class but Joanne doesn't let late sleepers, feedings, diaper blow-outs, tantrums or anything else keep her from class- even if it means arriving a few minutes late! Many of our Stroller Strides moms recently delivered or are expecting baby #2 this fall and we hope they'll find Joanne's efforts and results inspiring! Thanks, Joanne, for being such a great role model to your family and to our Stroller Strides community!
We asked Joanne a few questions to get to know her better and this is what she said:
Hometown: Oakland, NJ
Education: BA at UNC Wilmington
Stroller Strides Member since: Feb 2011
Members of your Family: husBrennan, Hartley (23 months), Reagan (6 months), Vegas (lab/great dane mix) and Bella (westie)
Previous Career: Attorney Recruiter
What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a vet for only healthy animals or a stay at home mom.
What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood means doing everything I can to raise smart, happy, healthy & kind individuals. Being a mother is my absolute dream come true and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
What is the furthest you have been from home? The Greek Islands
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Just getting out the door in the mornings is a challenge but I realized that even if I arrive late, 45 minutes of exercise is better than none! Stroller Strides not only gives me a great workout but I really enjoy spending time with all of the other wonderful moms and love that my girls get to socialize with their kids after class too. Stroller Strides really gets our day started off right & I feel so much stronger both physically and mentally because of it.
What is your favorite exercise? I like 5 Little Monkeys or any of the strength/toning exercises with the bands.
What is your proudest moment? Giving birth to my 2 beautiful girls without drugs. This was not by choice! I arrived at the hospital an hour and a half before delivering Hartley & only half an hour before delivering Reagan.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Traveling, going to the spa, reading People magazine on the beach.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I met my husband playing blackjack in Las Vegas. A year and a half later, my husband proposed to me playing blackjack in Vegas!
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Brennan said that my best quality was being a very good mommy:) That is the best compliment I could ever ask for!
What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a vet for only healthy animals or a stay at home mom.
What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood means doing everything I can to raise smart, happy, healthy & kind individuals. Being a mother is my absolute dream come true and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
What is the furthest you have been from home? The Greek Islands
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Just getting out the door in the mornings is a challenge but I realized that even if I arrive late, 45 minutes of exercise is better than none! Stroller Strides not only gives me a great workout but I really enjoy spending time with all of the other wonderful moms and love that my girls get to socialize with their kids after class too. Stroller Strides really gets our day started off right & I feel so much stronger both physically and mentally because of it.
What is your favorite exercise? I like 5 Little Monkeys or any of the strength/toning exercises with the bands.
What is your proudest moment? Giving birth to my 2 beautiful girls without drugs. This was not by choice! I arrived at the hospital an hour and a half before delivering Hartley & only half an hour before delivering Reagan.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Traveling, going to the spa, reading People magazine on the beach.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I met my husband playing blackjack in Las Vegas. A year and a half later, my husband proposed to me playing blackjack in Vegas!
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Brennan said that my best quality was being a very good mommy:) That is the best compliment I could ever ask for!
We owe a special thanks to our North Hills Omega Sports store for further honoring our Moms of the Month with a $10 store gift card!
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