MOMS ON THE RUN

April 12, 2008, is a special date in our history. Moms on the Run was launched 10 years ago today! To celebrate, we've taken many of the photos you submitted for our #LoveMyTeam contest on our Facebook page — at least the ones we could fit — and have compiled them into a special video of your favorite memories. We love seeing your smiling faces, your teams, your dogs, your kids and your hard work — as well as the amazing stories that go with every moment! Thank you for being a special part of our family! Click here to view the video, and watch for a fun surprise at the end!

Tia Moats of Forest Lake Moms on the Run is not only our Most Inspiring Member for April, she also is a founding member of our first Moms on the Run group 10 years ago. In fact, Tia inspired the idea to train for a 5K, and has been a part of Moms on the Run ever since. To learn a little more about Tia's story, we wanted to share a fun Q&A with you.

Researcher, Author and Speaker Brené Brown, in a Ted Talk on the Power of Vulnerability, said, "We can't practice compassion with other people if we can't treat ourselves kindly."

Valentine's Day may be a day for Hallmark cards, candy hearts, chocolates and roses, but what if we actually treated ourselves kindly every day? Rather than falling into bed at night, completely exhausted from our day, what if we made it a habit to implement a little bit of love and attention toward our own body, mind and soul?

When moms are thrown into crisis with a child who is critically or chronically ill, or face the diagnosis of a child with special needs, their entire focus goes into doing everything they can for their child. Along the way, moms tend to lose themselves, and the idea of self-care becomes non-existent. That's where Heart Strides, a national nonprofit organization, steps in — literally. Heart Strides provides new running shoes to moms caring for children with a critical/chronic illness or a special need, removing the barriers to self-care and arming moms with the message that they matter.