Tuesday, May 8, 2012

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

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

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