#StrollerStrong x 4! { a guest post}

I'm so happy to feature this inspiring strong mama on the blog today! I absolutely love following her on Instagram - those quad stroller miles are INCREDIBLE!
Thanks for your guest post, Pie! 

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​Hi! I am pretty stoked to have this opportunity to share with you. I am Pie (it’s a nickname but it’s the way everyone knows me. LONG story) and I am a Marine wife, mom of 6 including one angel. I'm a runner and fitness addict.  I have an 18 year old headed to college in the summer (Go Hokies!), 3 surviving quadruplets who are all special needs, and a 2 year old who is spunkier than all of them combined. The quadruplets were born at 24 weeks gestation and have varying medical conditions requiring large amounts of doctors appointments and one kid who is g-tube fed amongst other things. Two of them are on the autism spectrum and have four different types of therapy 5 days a week.  These therapies total over 40 hours a week.  Oh,  and my husband is an active duty Marine so he’s rarely home.

It sounds like a sob story. It sounds like a lot. It sounds like I could be sedentary.  But two years ago I started running because two friends of mine said to "just try it". They encouraged me and told me to start with the Couch to 5k program. So I did. I used the quadruple stroller to push my four little ones. When I started, I could only run for 30 seconds at a time then I needed to stop and walk. But little by little, week by week, I got there and I completed my first 5k with Stroller Warriors Camp Pendleton. It was a truly incredible feeling. That feeling pushed me to continue with a 10k and I then thought ‘let’s try for a half marathon’.  So in November of 2018, I completed my first half marathon pushing the quad stroller.  I finished another one in March and I have a big one again in November all with the quadruple stroller totaling approximately 200lbs with the kids and all their gear.  I just started a crossfit program to help strength train.  And if I’m being honest, all of this makes me feel better about eating that Oreo. ​

So why? Why do I fit it in? Why do I do this when I could and sometimes should be doing something else?  There are a million articles, books and blogs telling people “Hey, you have time. You just have to find the time” to exercise.  It’s kind of annoying and if you’re anything like me, you’re stubborn and don’t like someone telling you what to do. Or you think people are irritating and have no clue what your life is like.  And you’re right. We don’t.

So here I am, telling you to exercise? Telling you “hey, I’m way busier and I can do it?”  

No. I’m telling you, that it IS possible.

I do not have it all together. My house is a wreck. I have approximately 8 loads of laundry waiting to be folded and put away. I couldn’t tell you when I last dusted. I really need to sit down and finish the stack of paperwork on my desk. And I’m pretty sure my kids will eat cereal for dinner tonight because yet again, I forgot to plan what we’ll eat.

But I can tell you that I feel so much better when I run. I feel stronger when I lift weights. I feel happier when I’ve accomplished it and proud of myself for reaching a new goal.  

And we need that. As moms, life is hard. It can be so draining and emotionally taxing. We are the ones who remember everyone’s schedules but also notice if the toothpaste is running low and that it needs to be added to the list. And if you’re a working mom, hell, that’s a whole other level of busy and exhaustion.

So no, I’m not telling you or guilting you in to working out or running. But I’m here to remind you that it is actually possible. Don’t think that it isn’t. Start small. Take a walk with your baby. Do some yoga. Because one thing I can tell you with certainty is that it will help your mental health, patience level, and all around you’ll be a better mom. Yeah, I said it.  And that’s what we’re all working on, right? Being the best mom we can be to the ones who hold our heart.

But by far the most important aspect I’ve noticed is that it’s also setting an example for my kids.  The quads have horrible lungs. It is highly unlikely that they’ll be runners because of their lack of stamina.   One of them has significant vision disabilities causing her to have zero depth perception or peripheral vision which makes a lot of physical activities difficult.  And bless their little hearts, they’re all very small since they were born so early.  The youngest and oldest are both healthy and neurotypical, so I do hope they can pursue some sort of fitness goals.  But they NEVER let any of their disabilities stop them or even slow them down.  They encourage me and try to run as long as they can.  Seeing my youngest attempt box jumps is the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. It also motivates me to work harder and show her that moms can do it!.  I want them to know that fitness is vital to your health and the best way to teach is by example. 

If you’re looking for a little push to get into a routine, or go for a run, I’m hoping I can inspire you to try. It might not be perfect or lengthy, but hopefully it will help you feel a bit better.   I’ve been known to run in jeans just because I didn’t have time to change.  I don’t recommend that, by the way. It’s really uncomfortable!  You have the strength.  You are already a mom which is the most taxing job a woman can have. ​

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Thanks again, Pie, for sharing your story with us! You truly are Wonder Woman! Thanks for encouraging all mamas, no matter what your situation, to take time for yourself and be a healthy example for your kids! 

If you want to follow Pie's running and parenting adventures, be sure to follow her on Instagram! 

This guest post is a part of our #StrollerStrongVirtualRun event here on i am STRONG like MOM. 
​Check out all of the blogs here and follow #StrollerStrongVirtualRun on Instagram to see our stroller strong mamas do their thing!