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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

March 2012 Mom of the Month

Our mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

March's Mom of the Month is: Kimberly Stephenson! Congrats Kimberly!


Kimberly has been with us at Stroller Strides almost since the beginning, she joined the month after we opened in spring 2010, and has continued to fit in her Stroller Strides workouts among her part-time work as a Registered Dietician at UNC, as well as before and after the birth of her son, Grant, last year. Kimberly keeps smiling as she works hard at Stroller Strides as well as, most recently, in our evening "Body Back" program for moms (where she is known as "the cheerleader" for her determination and willingness to cheer her fellow moms on and keep everyone motivated!). She is an inspiration to all of us in terms of working hard, juggling motherhood and work and fitness, AND keeping up a great attitude. The story of her two miracle children is also an inspiration to all of the moms out there who struggle waiting for their children to arrive in their lives. Thank you for sharing Kimberly, as it may help moms out there who are dealing with similar challenges. And those who have been through them know just how important it is to value your time with your little ones and the amazing (albeit exhausting ;) ) experience of motherhood.

Join us in congratulating Kimberly, and read on to get to know her a little better!


Hometown: Boone, NC
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Apex. The Peak of Good Living, so the water tower says.
Education: Masters in Nutrition
Stroller Strides Member since: April 2010
Members of your Family: Myself, husband Daniel whom I met at the Longbranch in Raleigh, daughter Scarlett Evelyn 3 years, and son Grant Everett 1 year.

Tell us about your child/children: Scarlett was placed with love into our arms through open domestic adoption at her birth. We remain in contact with her wonderful birthmother, whom we call Angel Anna because she brought us a gift from God.

We chose adoption after bearing the sadness and loss of 3 miscarriages. Everyone asks about IVF and we signed up a couple of times but never went through with it. God had other plans for creating our little family.

When Scarlett was one, we had the courage to try again and Grant came along. I was truly shocked when I didn't miscarry. Despite a back injury, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and meconium aspiration, he popped out just perfect. He is the second little miracle that came into my life. I love them both with every inch of my being.

Current/previous Career: Registered Dietitian in Pediatrics at UNC's Children's Hospital. I've been there 13 years; part-time after Scarlett came along. Currently, I work with children who have Cystic Fibrosis.

What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be Ramona Quimby or Nancy Drew.
What does motherhood mean to you? Because it was so elusive to me for so long, I really treasure it. It's a gift from our Creator that makes you love greater than you've ever loved before. I say to my husband all the time, "look at those beautiful children."
What is the furthest you have been from home? Switzerland, as a chaperone for my (much) younger sister's High School Senior class trip.
What has Stroller Strides done for you? It's helped me maintain a regular exercise routine that involves the kids instead of excluding them.

What have you enjoyed most about the Body Back program? It's given me the accountability that I needed to focus on my health again. I know what to eat and how to exercise, but too often those get put on the back burner while caring for the children.
What is your favorite exercise? Dancing.
What is your proudest moment? My masters thesis research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It looked at the effect of weight loss in lactating women on the growth of their infants.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Clogging, wakeboarding, and Topsail Beach.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I've clogged at the Grand Ole Opry and danced on CMT's (old) TV show "Club Dance".
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I would guess compassionate and organized.

But I asked him and he said my best quality was that I'm a good mom to our children. He also said I'm a kick-&@$ cook and Clogger.

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Join Stroller Strides or Body Back, of course! Seriously, I do say that all the time.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Why join Running Mamas Training programs, vs just running on your own?

Our seasonal “Running Mamas” 5k training program is kicking off in just a few short weeks!

This program designed specifically for moms will help beginners (or those who haven’t run in a while) build up to running a full 5k, OR our experienced running coaches can also help current runners to focus on their speed and beat their goal race day times. We also have a 10k program available, either as an add-on after the 5k, or on its own.

Some may be wondering, is it worth joining a group like this, or should I just train for a 5k (or 10k) on my own?

Here are just a few reasons why a group training program can make a difference in your spring running plans…

Make a commitment as part of a group of moms working towards the same goal!
Every season, moms of all ages and fitness levels start off the program together and are immensely supportive of one another. There is a great sense of camaraderie—we’re all in this together! It is so much more fun to run with supportive friends on a regular basis, and we all cheer for one another, each week and on race day!

You won’t have to make up a training plan for yourself!
Sure you can find various training plans online, but how do you decide among all of the options? What if you find certain training assignments to be too tough or too easy? Should you blend some of them or just stick with one? Our Running Mamas training plans have helped moms for several seasons attain their running goals.Beginners have gone from barely being able to jog 2 minutes at a time, to running the full 5k goal race. Others who were more experienced were able to surpass their timing goals by race day.

Our plans are a blend of national Stroller Strides 5k/10k training and the well-known “Couch to 5k” plans, and there are 3 different tracks based upon what your starting jogging level is (Beginner—for those not able to jog much at all at the start; Intermediate—for those able to jog 1-2 miles at start of program; and Advanced—for those already able to jog 3 miles at a time, who’d like to focus on speed training.) Training plans focus on time initially, then distance, and include speed training, hill intervals, timed mile and two-mile runs, tapering at the end, and more.

We’ll help you MAKE IT HAPPEN!!
How easy is it to plan to run, only to get caught up with everything else at home and in motherhood, and never get out the door?? If you’re trying to make yourself train on your own, it can be that much tougher to get regular training runs in. Sign up for a group training plan and you’ll be more likely to make your runs happen, especially with your coach and fellow mamas looking out for you.

Get your questions answered
What should I be eating on days when I run? How many days per week is best to train? Should I do any other exercise on my non-running days? Should I focus on speed or distance? How do I know if I’m hydrated? What should my goal be this week? How do I increase my race day speed? These are the types of questions your trained running coach can answer. Throughout our 8 week program, you’ll receive tips on all of the above topics and more, at the coached sessions, in your weekly emails, and through our private facebook group. Plus—get extra training sessions such as Yoga for Runners, Core Workouts for Runners, Nutrition & Hydration tips, sneaker discounts, family race day photos, and more!

Get personalized training advice
Between the three levels of overall training, the advice of your running coach, the personal guidance surveys and feedback offered, you’ll get continuous feedback on your progress and what your next steps should be….much more helpful to your training than trying to figure it all out on your own.

We’re all moms and we’ve all been through what you’re going through!
Challenges getting out the door, little ones exhausting you and making you question your plan to run on a given day, coordinating naps and feeding and carpools, lack of sleep, and lack of time for anything for yourself! Train for a goal that will help you feel great about yourself with the support of other moms. You’ll be amazed at what you CAN accomplish, and feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally will help you be a better mom!

But don’t just take our word for it….check out all of the amazing things moms from our past seasons have had to say about the program! Click here to hear from past Running Mamas members

The season starts March 2nd, with weekday and weekend options available, in Raleigh, Cary and Apex. Register now for the Spring Running Mamas Training Program and cross that finish line with us in April!