MOMS ON THE RUN

"I was tired of being ashamed of my post-baby body." 

Sound familiar? We thought many of you would relate to the sentiments that our very own Jennifer Fink shared with Redbook Magazine this month for its special "Marathon Stories" segment.

One of 18 women highlighted, Jen describes the inspiration behind her first 26.2-mile endeavor, the October 2015 Twin Cities Marathon. This month marks the beginning of her sixth season with White Bear Lake/Shoreview MN Moms on the Run, including her fourth as a coach.

To date, she's also completed four half marathons and plans to run her seventh and eighth Ragnar Relays in 2016.

"All from a girl who used to ONLY run from lions and zombies," Jen says, playfully. Congratulations, Coach Jen! You credit your MOTR team as providing your inspiration, yet YOU continue to inspire so many of us.

What inspired you to first start running? We'd love to hear from you. Tell us in the comments below.

Gabe (right) poses with Olympian Carrie Tollefson after winning the 2015 Moms on the Run 5K.

UPDATED 4/19/16: Congratulations to our April KIND Most Inspiring Mom, Gabe Cox, who crossed her fifth marathon finish line Monday at the Boston Marathon. You inspire us! Gabe finished with a time of 3:45:28, averaging 8:36 per mile. Way to go!

FROM 4/15/16: This month’s KIND Most Inspiring Mom is Gabe Cox, starting her second year as head coach of the Blaine, MN franchise.

On April 18, Gabe will compete in the Boston Marathon, her first in Beantown and fifth marathon overall. She will also continue training for the Twin Cities Marathon on October 9, acting as a pacer for her aunt, who will attempt to qualify for the 2017 Boston Marathon.

As a head coach, Gabe’s style is simple and straightforward, with an abundance of kindness and positivity, according to members of Blaine Moms on the Run. She juggles coaching and her own training, all while homeschooling three active boys, aged 2, 6 and 8.

“I  believe wholeheartedly in the power of positive words and visualization when seeing goals come to fruition,” says Gabe. A certified run coach who is also group fitness certified, Gabe was the first to cross the finish line at the 2015 Moms on the Run 5K, with a time of 20:04.

Congratulations, Gabe. We’ll be with you in spirit, sending our #MomsOnTheRun cheers and support all the way to Boston. We believe in you! #MOTRstrong #BostonStrong

ABOUT KIND: Since its founding in 2004, KIND has been on a mission to make the world a little kinder one snack and one act at a time. #LiveKIND and do the kind thing for your body, your taste buds & your world.™

​What makes you #MOTRstrong?
We’ve chosen four categories that are meaningful to the Moms on the Run 18-week training experience. Take a photo of one or more of these categories and post them to Instagram with #MOTRstrong and #MomsOnTheRun to enter the contest. One winner will be announced at the end of each month for May, June, July and August. We’ll also highlight winning entries on our Facebook page.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• #BestScenery: Show us those gorgeous lakes, trails, skylines, post-storm rainbows or other beautiful settings you’re lucky enough to enjoy during a workout or race. Every grueling interval or plank is made more enjoyable because, #BestScenery!
• #LoveMyTeam: Your teammates inspire you. They cheer you up when you’re having a bad day (or bad run). They make you laugh so hard that you snort water out of your nose. Share photos that show us why you love your teammates, even if you couldn’t possibly fit all of them in one photo.
• #Unstoppable: Whether you encounter injury-related setbacks or challenges of a completely different type, we want to see what keeps you going. What motivates you to be #Unstoppable?
• #MOTRselfie: Headed somewhere recognizable on a work trip or family getaway? Or just capturing the fun spirit of you and your best runner friends (BRFs)? Snap a selfie with a local landmark while wearing your MOTR gear.

Don’t forget to take a photo that relates to one of the categories and also tag photos with #MOTRstrong and #MomsOnTheRun.

If you’re not on Instagram but want to join the conversation “just for fun,” post your pics to Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest using the same hashtags.

Contest Rules

1. Must be 18 or older to participate.
2. Must post photo to Instagram with #MOTRstrong, #MomsOnTheRun and category hashtag to enter.
3. Moms on the Run staff will review Instagram posts and pick one (1) winner each month (in May, June, July and August) based on creativity, number of categories submitted, number of photos/posts submitted, number of likes and staff favorites.

August Contest Prize
Our final monthly winner will snag our "Women Run Together" package: 2 free registrations to the 10th annual Women Run the Cities (choose from 10-Mile Run; 10K Run 5K Run or Walk) and 2 WRTC 10th anniversary t-shirts. Winner may invite a friend or family member to run with her. $165 value.

Update on Winners to Date
Special thanks our 2016 sponsors/partners for providing these winners with fabulous prizes!​

• ​MAY: Congrats, Cathy, winner of 2 VIP tickets to the Glennon Doyle Melton (founder of the online community Momstery.com) event, “A reflection on hope, healing and recovery,” sponsored by Canvas Health. $110 value (but priceless, in our opinion!). 
  
• JUNE: Congrats, Natalie, winner of the "10K Tandem:" 2 free 10K race registrations for the second annual Moms on the Run race experience and 2 quarter-zip MOTR tech pullovers, sponsored by Renewal By Andersen. $170 value. 
  
• JULY: Congrats, Sarah, winner of a Four-Week Coaching Session from Wellwomen Thrive. $300 value.