Strides for Strength

Ready for us to dish on all the Q&A's that you have, or maybe didn't even realize you had?!
Q. How'd we get started running?
A. Erin - Dated into a family of runners - yep I was that meme that people talk about not wanting to marry into a family that runs 5ks on holidays... And fun fact, I got cut from track in high school... twice. SO much to unpack here, including being a female and navigating your period and other related things that we don't talk about!
A. Mich - Started track in middle school and quit... But in high school, I was a sub for the 4x4 where I found myself running in a heat and qualifying time that I should not have been in... and that pity clap at the end lives on in my brain still to this day! I picked running back up in college, but it was on my terms this time.
Q. What's your favorite race?
A. Mich - Chicago Marathon! The energy of Chicago is unmatched.
A. Erin - Peach Tree! But also loved Berlin... Tough decision.
Q. How do you stay motivated to run?
A. Erin - I don't... I know I'm my best self after I move my body in a way that I want to. I try to keep the bigger picture in mind.
A. Mich - It's important to hold both discipline and self-compassion. I also remember that I am blessed to be able to run and that means everything.
Q. Recovery after runs.
A. Erin - Eat after your run! That is my one piece of advice.
A. Mich - Eating that protein after your run helps so much with your recovery process.
Q. Fueling for long runs with nutrition.
(We will be bringing on an expert to chat about this topic!)
A. Erin - Find what works well for you and try new things. Also, track how you feel.
A. Mich - Don't practice it on your long runs. Try it out on short runs first to see how your body reacts.
We'd love to hear your questions! Fill out this Google Form and we'll collect and answer them on a future episode.
Link for recommendation for sample nutrition packs

SAVE 15% ON UCAN ORDERS:
https://ucan.co/share/StridesForStrength/

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

In this episode, we dive deep into the highs and challenging lows of the running journey. From celebrating Boston qualifying times to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of recovery, we’re here to remind you-- it all matters! Whether you’re feeling the post-race blues or gearing up for your next big challenge, we've got the inspo for you.

Join us as we unpack the importance of safety for female runners and share our personal strategies for staying aware and safe on the road. We also chat about the joy of running with friends, the thrill of lotteries, and the excitement of new beginnings—like welcoming a new furry friend into our lives.

SAVE 15% ON UCAN ORDERS:
https://ucan.co/share/StridesForStrength/

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

In this episode, we had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Kacy, a mother runner with an incredible journey to share. From overcoming a congenital heart defect to finding solace and strength in running during the pandemic, Kacy's story is truly inspiring. She shares how running has not only transformed her life but also how it has helped her show up as a better mom.

Join us as we dive into Kacy's experience as a run club coach in West Knoxville and how she empowers other moms to embrace running and prioritize self-care. Kacy's energy and passion for running are contagious, and her insights on finding balance between training and motherhood will leave you feeling motivated and ready to conquer your own goals. Tune in to this episode for a dose of inspiration and a reminder that you can do hard things too, even as a mother runner!

SAVE 15% ON UCAN ORDERS:
https://ucan.co/share/StridesForStrength/

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

We are so excited to welcome Lauren to the podcast! Lauren is a fellow nurse and describes herself as an everyday athlete. She recently started her own coaching business, Off The Trail Coaching and today she's reminding us that running and training can serve as tools for enhancing mental health and overall well-being.
Lauren actually took a step back from running and training because she realized she was starting to lose the joy that running brought into her life. Then she found trail running and she said "Trail running was freedom again. I wasn't focused on my pace. I wasn't focused on where I should be or how it should look or how it should feel. It was just the pure joy of doing it."
This is such an important reminder that we need to be aware of pushing ourselves to the point of burnout in pursuit of PRs and really advocate for a balanced approach that includes recovery, mindfulness, and consideration of the impact of training on the body and the mind. If it's not bringing you joy, it might be time to reevaluate.
Running provides value to our lives in various ways. Lauren reminds us that our training should add value to our lives rather than consume us entirely. She plans to continue running and training for as long as it serves her, taking into account the physical and mental resilience needed to fully experience life.
Connect with Lauren:
Off The Trail Guide
IG: @offthetrailrn
[00:03:10] Pursuing athleticism as a tool.
[00:06:19] Starting in team sports.
[00:10:58] Finding joy in running.
[00:15:09] The joy of running.
[00:17:51] Transitioning to trail running.
[00:24:03] Training for a 100K.
[00:26:06] Power hiking in trail running.
[00:31:28] Learning the distance.
[00:37:20] Training for life, not performance.
[00:39:32] Longevity mindset and burnout.

SAVE 15% ON UCAN ORDERS:
https://ucan.co/share/StridesForStrength/

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Today we're recapping the very first Strides For Strength retreat that we just hosted, and let's just say, it exceeded all our expectations!
From the very moment we arrived, everything was perfect and we saw the vision we had had for so long actually coming to life. As a rewind moment, Strides for Strength became an LLC in November of 2021 and a retreat was something we always wanted to do.
Community is so important within running and the backbone of Strides For Strength so planning this was something we knew we wanted! We really broke the planning down into bite-size pieces and definitely learned a lot along the way.
We hosted the retreat in Florida and when we both arrived we went on a run (obviously) and then to a little dive bar to eat, where we purchased our first meal on our business credit card... that moment was a full circle moment for sure! During the retreat we also received our very first paycheck - up until now we've invested everything we've made back into the business in order to make it what it is.
The next morning we both had long runs and when our alarms went off, it was a struggle... But we made it happen. After that, we decided to film some content, which was absolutely hilarious and so much fun. Then we got the house ready for everyone and headed to CostCo for all the food!
The airbnb we stayed at was AMAZING - it had literally everything we needed and so much more. We were so excited to welcome everyone and our hearts were so full when they arrived.
The morning after everyone arrived we had a 3 mile shake out run and then after breakfast we had someone come to lead us in yoga and breath work (which was amazing! Catching a theme? Amazing... lol).
Our dinner before race day we catered Olive Garden and before bed we laid out everyone's race day stuff and it was so much fun to watch everyone get so excited!
Race day morning we got up before the group and started getting breakfast ready and set the vibe for the day before heading to the start line. Lots of pump-up jams!
One of our favorite things was seeing the group truly come together and support each other! Of course, the two of us were an absolute vibe and we totally brought the energy. Getting to support our athletes was everything.
Just ask Erin - she literally busted her hand trying to make sure she didn't miss one of her athletes crossing the finish line!
That final morning we sent everyone off and took a moment to hold onto the feeling - this is what we worked so hard for and we will never forget it!
If you have FOMO and want to be part of our next Strides For Strength retreat, slide into our DMs and we'll chat about how you can be there!

SAVE 15% ON UCAN ORDERS:
https://ucan.co/share/StridesForStrength/

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST