MOMS ON THE RUN

MINNEPOLIS/ST. PAUL -- Today, Moms on the Run, LLC announced an extended national partnership with the Reebok Ragnar Relay Series, the largest U.S.-based overnight running relay series, 2017.

Moms on the Run customers will receive the following VIP pricing when registering for Ragnar relays taking place in the United States during 2017 (excluding lottery races): Road Races - Regular $1,200; Ultra-$800; Trail Races - Regular-$1,040; Ultra-$687. Current MOTR participants can contact their head coach for registration details.

A rapidly growing training program founded in 2008, Moms on the Run helps beginners run their first 5K, improve their speed and endurance, or stay motivated in their walking routines. The program’s focus is on interval training to increase cardiovascular fitness levels and maximize metabolism benefits. The company relies on its self-described approach of “fitness, fun and friendship” to help women along their individual fitness journeys, now with 44 locations in six states.

“We’re excited to join forces with Ragnar again in 2017,” said Moms on the Run Founder Karissa Johnson. “We look forward to building on our unique ability to help running friends create new memories together.”

According to annual membership surveys, 40 percent of Moms on the Run participants say they ran their first race after joining the training program. And close to 60 percent of current members say they have run at least a 10K or further. As part of the 2016 Ragnar Great River Relay, Moms on the Run fielded more than 20 teams.

Ragnar Relays are long distance, team, overnight running relays that take place all over the world. Teams come together to conquer a course over two days and one night, and push their limits, on little amounts of sleep, with friends and a community of runners by their side. For more details on the 2017 Ragnar Relay road and trail schedules, visit ragnarrelay.com.

To learn more about Moms on the Run or find the location nearest you, visit momsontherun.com.

Our December 2016 KIND Most Inspiring member is Natalie with the Burnsville (MN) location. She recently completed her third year with Moms on the Run, and what a year 2016 was!

Natalie has logged close to 1,500 miles on the year (1,488 through Dec. 19th, and counting). She also completed the 2016 Twin Cities Marathon, raising $10,000 for the nonprofit Team World Vision, to provide clean water for communities in Africa.

“The fact that Natalie ran the marathon and fundraised is just one example of the many things she does on a daily basis that inspire those around her,” says Burnsville head coach Kim Burggraaf. “She has such a heart for others, a passion for making a difference, a positive outlook on life, and is just an incredible person all around.”

Natalie came into running in 2010 and decided to train for her first marathon as part of Team World Vision in 2013. She joined Moms on the Run in 2014 to find more women to keep running with. Burggraaf invited her back as a coach in her second and third years, given her natural tendencies to motivate those around her.

But Natalie sees it differently, crediting the Burnsville team for helping her to achieve each goal:  “My MOTR teammates’ encouragement, from beginning to end, helped give me the resolve to continue working until 200 people had clean water for life through World Vision’s sustainable water projects,” she says. “They were the very first people I told when I considered taking on the challenge because I knew I would be supported and could trust their advice.”

Aside from trying to eclipse 1,500 miles by Dec. 31, Natalie plans to cross-train this winter and then prepare for the Trail Mix 25K in April 2017.

“This will be a new adventure for me as I’ve only run a few trails for fun and never done a trail race,” she says. “I’m a little nervous!”

But with her Burnsville teammates encouraging her, Natalie says she believes she’ll cross the finish line. “What I love about Moms on the Run is watching women come together and support each others’ dreams and challenges, both fitness related and in everyday life,” she says. “I love that we are from all different stages of life and yet connected by the common goal of being strong and healthy.”

If you're on Instagram, keep up with Natalie's running adventures @SeeNatalieRun.

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.™

ABOUT MOMS ON THE RUN
Founded in 2008, Moms on the Run is a structured fitness program for women of all ages and fitness levels who want to get in shape--and have fun doing so. Run your first 5K, improve your speed and endurance or stay motivated in your walking routine. We inspire and transform busy women through a healthy lifestyle of fitness, fun and friendship. To find the location nearest you, visit momsontherun.com.

Moms on the Run was founded in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, where the average temperature during December hovers at 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, winter is part of our DNA.

For nearly all of the Moms on the Run locations (Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan and New York), this is the time of year when we’re forced to make that very tough decision. Treadmill, run in the cold, or stick to cross-training? For those of us who can’t bear to shelve the running shoes for too long, that leaves just two options.

On that topic, we enjoyed these two recent takes from Women’s Running. With next week’s local forecast projecting (gulp!) single digits for a high, we’ll probably visit the “dreadmill” sooner than we want to.

Tell us in the comments below, which factors help you make the decision, between Team Treadmill or Team Run in the Cold? And why is that choice the right one for you?

3 Facts to Consider When Avoiding a Run in the Cold, Women's Running, December 2016

The Pros--And The Cons--Of Running On That Treadmill, Women's Running, December 2016

By Karissa Johnson, Moms on the Run President

​A few years back I had a little brainstorm that turned into our annual Healthy Holiday Challenge. But the truth is, the last couple of years I haven't participated myself. I've had all the good excuses in the book of course (but nope, they're not good enough)!

So I'm back. I'm trying. And getting the family involved! It's husband against wife. And kids against mom and dad! Fist pump. Let's do this. Family pep talk.

Here we go! Here's a day in the life of my attempt at the Healthy Holiday Challenge:

1. Exercise
   Ugh, the cold and drizzle! The sun will come out tomorrow right? Will cardio then. No need to resort to the Dreadmill. For today I'm thankful for the accountability of a group exercise class (as the teacher, I have to show up)... and for my first love, strength training (don't tell running).
   
   
2. Fruits and Veggies
   Only 5? Ha. I know whoever wrote this was going easy on me for the holidays but this is my hardest category yet! Feeling determined. Doesn't matter if they taste good. I can do this! So I ate all the celery on the tray at Bible study (crunching is a helpful distraction from the much more attractive holiday M&Ms).
   
   And now I'm going to the fridge. I'm opening the door. I'm... searching... how does lettuce get so wet? Oops, I think that bag in the back is a month old. How many mandarin oranges does it take to get to one serving? Three it is. Must. Get to. Grocery store! Frozen berries to the rescue for now. I have a great smoothie recipe from my last health kick around here somewhere. Do I get bonus points for adding flax?
   
   
3. Water
   I can do this! Oh wait. It's 3 p.m. and I'm at half glass. No problem, I can just fill my favorite water bottle 2.5 times before bed. And I have an exercise class coming up! I can surely down a whole bottle there and then refill for the way home. Wait. Where's the cap? You've got to be kidding me. Forget favorite bottle, any will do. Twenty bottles and 15 caps, and none of them match? Since when did water bottles become like socks?
   
   I switch MOs, find the bottle that matches the cap, and victory is mine. Off to the gym. Thirsty. Proud of my plan, I head over to my bag to retrieve that hard-fought-for water bottle. It's not there?! Ugh. I forgot it! Now 2 more hours will have gone by without water. No problem... Can I just give up the sleep challenge tonight in favor of bathroom visits after my evening H2O binge?
   
   
4. Sweets
   Whew. My easiest category! Don't hate me. I don't keep them in the house (thankful to work from home this time of year)! Once the leftover pumpkin pie is gone I'll be golden. Today it's a zero.
   
   
5. Sleep
   Seven hours? Seriously? Who came up with this thing. Does lying in bed for 7 hours count?
   
   

Here's hoping your day towards better health is less of an adventure! Good luck everyone!