A Mom Of Two, Former High School Runner Gets Reconnected and Back onthe Pavement!

A Mom Of Two, Former High School Runner Gets Reconnected and Back on the Pavement!

Terri Parks

I met Terri during the "trial run of strollers" with Evelyn. Vicki formally introduced me and said this is the girl I keep saying you two should know each other because you would be instant friends. Boy was she right!
Along with turning into part of my running crew, I have been blessed to be able to see her turn into an amazing long distance runner.
She says many times on how she needs Stroller Workouts. We all know as runners cross training helps your running and I have witnessed Terri's running improve and improve FAST because her commitment to cross train her body.
She has not only found a love of working out and running again but also of helping others with their journey. I know she will exceed her goals in this because she is an amazing cheer leader and coach to us that run with her!
Along with being a inspirational athlete to many, she is also a role model as a mother. She sets a great example to her children on how a healthy lifestyle and a commitment to fitness can help you succeed in all aspects of your life.
I am proud of Terri's perseverance and fight!

In her own words.....

"Everyday for the past year and a half I slip on my running shoes and head out the door to take away the daily stresses called life. I have always been a runner but I have really taken it more serious in the past year.  After starting back up and “re-running” my first 13.1, I was looking for more motivation. I knew being a SAHM I needed to find an activity that my kids could attend or that had child care. One beautiful, sunny day I attended my first and Kristin’ s first ever Stroller Workout. The kids enjoyed the day and I knew this would take me to the next level that I was hoping to maintain. So, I was hooked and Stroller’s has become an enjoyable part of my week and the kids enjoy the company of other’s. This past year I have watched moms grow stronger, shrink in size, laugh a little louder and friendships formed. Thru Stroller’s I have learned a lot about myself and what direction I want for myself and my family.  The most special thing that I have witnessed from Stroller’s is that my daughter and son will come home and do the workouts again and they ask when we go back for more. The positive examples we display for ourselves will reflect in our children. If you can’t find that drive deep down in yourself yet to take that first step to a healthier lifestyle, look at your love for your children and see what they inspire you to do. A big thank to the girls at strollers who cheer me on at races. Some of you never saw yourselves as runners and now you inspire me with your hard work and dedication. A well deserved thank you to Kristin for becoming not only a Stroller trainer but a running friend. We have many more miles to conquer together and many more battles to fight thanks for being a road warrior with me!"

Terri Parks

A dream that turned into even larger goals for this runner!

I am starting off the one year of stroller workouts with a success story of one of my longest standing clients...this friend turned runner trusted me to help her in her journey to become a fit mom!


A dream that turned into even larger goals for this runner!

This gal is a friend turned client which is usually the other way around, a client turned friend. I met Vicki in the most unique way she was on my first ever real job hiring committee. I can remember once I got hired (even though I never directly worked with her) she would always greet me in the halls and tell me I was doing a good job.

Soon after the start of 2011, she came to me for what she used to give me, support and reassurance. Her dream, a half marathon. Lots of small goals were set to achieve this, a 5k, a 10k, weekly training runs with our running club, a 13.1 training run, lead up to the real deal, the Parkersburg Half Marathon Aug 2011.

The journey was awesome to watch and I knew she was hooked when she set her goals even higher---she registered for her second half before she even ran her first!

One of my main goals for Vicki was to incorporate cross training. She was one of the ones that were apart of the original "trial" group of strollers workout-ers! It was great to see a familiar face that day! I knew from her feedback that this would be successful.

So even though she thinks I'm the only one giving support and reassurance as the trainer, she is STILL supporting and reassuring me (just last week we she was so excited for me because of all the new faces at Strollers!)

I am proud of Vicki as she demonstrates the hard work, determination and goal setting it takes to make a complete lifestyle change.

In her own words....


"I love Neighborhood Stroller workouts because they are great core and cardio workouts that get me outside and among many ladies I have come to call my great friends. I like that I can modify the exercises to my own fitness level while feeling both challenged and comfortable. I enjoy that I fit in with this group when I have my two boys with me in the double jogger or running along side me as well as when I go alone without my children or stroller."
Vicki Earl

Stroller Workouts 1 Year Anniversary!

YAY! It is here.

One year of Neighborhood Stroller Workouts in the books!

When I have new client come to Stroller Workouts I usually get the same question....where did you get this idea? Or what a great idea!

This usually prompts me to tell the story of how it started.

So this is the story on the "How" Of Stroller Workouts.....

Loving to workout, I became a personal trainer. At about the same time I started a Marketing Consulting business that allowed me to quit my full time job in higher education. Once I quit I began picking up more and more personal training clients because of my new flexible schedule.

About a month after quieting full time, I got a call from Evelyn who I had never met before but explained that she had heard of me and wondered if I would be interested in leading a Stroller Workout. Hesitant at first, I told her I would have to think about it and call my insurance. I called the insurance agency and got the all clear and thought to myself, this is another door that God has opened and I need to at least peek in and see what is on the other side. I also was very reserved because unlike the group I was getting ready to address, I did not have a child in a stroller or experience of having a child in a stroller.

So I met with a "trial" group from the Mom's Club (about 10 with strollers) the following week. We went through a short workout that was a mixture of what Evelyn had learned at a class prior and some ideas I had come up with (incorporating my own style of training which is using your own body weight to see results--and we sure have!). All the reservations of myself not meshing with the moms also went out the door. What a welcoming group!

From that original group, I still have moms coming one year later (even though I have had 2 of them move and one moving soon and two that have come WHILE pregnant!) and some of the moms that no longer have babies in strollers still come too!

When you say Stroller Workouts to some people they really don't get exactly what we do. I always say the best way to understand it is to come workout with us! You don't have to have a stroller to workout with us and I encourage mom's, dad's, babysitters, mom's to be or moms that WANT to be to come join us. It is never TOO late (or too early) to begin working out.

In the next few weeks I am going to share some success stories of those who have worked out with us, seen the results and realize the impact on not only their bodies but their families, their well-being and their future! :)

Added some pics! See Below! Thanks AllieBPhotography!

Quick Fixes!

Almost weekly if not daily, I get asked about what I refer to as "quick fixes"---anything that sounds too good to be true probably is!
When I first started loosing weight from running and working out (yes, I initially GAINED weight with running---what I was starving and thought I needed those extra calories!), I would get the age old question.....
What Are You Doing?

This question should be banned. Quick fixes do not work. If you think for a second the person with the body you envy is sitting down to Mcd's every night you are crazy! Being in this industry, I interact with professionals and clients that work hard every.single.day to keep themselves in shape and healthy!

No one ever asks how you got that raise or new job.....(most) people realize it is because you work hard! Not that you were lucky!

So, what ever motivates you do it. If nothing motivates you then find something (or a group of someones) that help you stay focused and on goal!

If you need extra help contact me! I can point you in the direction of something you will love whether I offer it or not!

Running D.C!

Literally! Meet Sara, she helped me run the Nation's Capital...6 miles of it anyway.

I joined City Running Tours (http://www.cityrunningtours.com/) for a 6 mile guided tour of all the best that DC has to offer along with a special tour of the Cherry Blossoms!
So on to my review of the Running Tour:
Sara picked me up in the hotel lobby and showed me the in and outs of the DC Metro System aka got me to the start of my 6 mile run!
We started with working our way around the city blocks to the Capital where she hit the high notes and pointed out the legislative offices and I waved at corporate America while they worked and we enjoyed the beautiful last day of winter and 60+ degree weather the only way you should running!
We headed toward the Washington Monument where I got an awesome pic and learned I need to watch National news more as Sara explained the earthquake shut the monument down for a year or so.
Other highlights included Vietnam War Memorial, running up the steps to see Abe and seeing where they make the money!!
I am excited to visit another city where I can explore the city by foot! And highly recommend City Tours (they are in a lot of big cities!) to anyone that is traveling while training for a race ( they can run long runs with you!) or if you are looking for another way to explore a new city (at YOUR pace)!
Thanks Sara, Michael and City Tours for not only a great run by an awesome swag bag!
See you soon!

The Journey

"Trust The Journey"

A common phrase I have repeated to myself through the last 5 years of running.

Every long run, race or fun run has had its own unique journey. Though, not all of them have been pleasant they have all made me into the person/runner I am today.

One is the toughest journeys was that of 26.2 miles.

Lots of miles lead up to the race of course but that truly was not the hard part.

There was lots of doubts of mine and others opinions that as a runner you have to work through. My other favorite quote is that "Running is 99% mental." A lot of people disagree but anyone can train their bodies to run its the training the mind to go along with it is the hard part.

One thing to keep in mind whether you are just beginning your journey, half way through or you can literally see the finish line.... No ones journey looks exactly alike and a lot of factors come in to play on how that final leg of the journey will play out.
Maybe that is why the reward is so sweet....

Here is my reward. I don't know why but seeing this on my car everyday reminds me of my journey of who I used to be to who I've become.

Fleet Feet Columbus: Worth The Drive? YES!

Today I experienced my first ever "real" running store. At least it was real in my book. What made it real?

-Gait Analysis

-Treadmill

-And Runner/Sales Men

First they measure your foot which I don't think I have had done since elementary school. Then look at your feet standing, then running (barefoot)---don't wear black socks if you don't want to have to go completely bare on the treadmill! They have a camera that logs it and then they give you a great choice of shoes!

I learned today that my right foot is a half inch longer than my left. I have thought of several theories myself but luckily before I could embarrass myself by stating one of them the runner/sales man said it just happens and shrugged his shoulders. So okay, it just happens. Good for me that its not enough to effect my buying pattern. Can you imagine.....I am going to need an 8 in the left and 8.5 in the right. Don't think I could even special order them that way!

I also learned that I have the perfect foot....I mean neutral foot ;) I kind of knew this before....as an ex-pronater (yes, I just made up that word)---I have always tried to equal the pressure in my foot by shifting weight on big toe after years of having wear on the edge of my shoes and noticed that I shifted my weight to the outer side of my foot  while no one else did, in aerobic classes through high school. 

Since I have had no aches or pains (Yes, I am knocking on wood....right...now) since the marathon (its all good until you start running 40+ miles), I found out I can keep wearing my minimalist shoes that I love! AND my favorite shoe is now in white/purple color combo which will be my summer/fall shoe.  Back to Brooks Pure Flow.....ahhhhhh.

If you happen to be a supinater or pronater, we learned you can have a trainer shoe to log on all your long miles, then keep your minimalist shoe for the race. This will keep your minimalist shoe in good shape for many races (since they typically only get 250-300 miles).

The store also had a pretty good selection of jackets, pants, shorts, shirts, and even 26.2 magnets (not that anyone has one on their Mazda now!). The clincher for me in the store was the treadmill and encouragement to use it!

The store is getting ready to go through an expansion and the new store looks BIG. So I am excited to head back. If you are in Columbus on Saturday they are planning on having a great Re-Grand Opening! 

If you want to learn more check them out on Facebook.