Moms on the Run

Jen Dyrhaug is like a lot of women who join Moms on the Run — she never thought she'd run a marathon. What makes her story so unique is that simply breathing is a daily workout. Jen has cystic fibrosis, a genetic, fatal disease that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits her ability to breathe. Every day, she must take medication and complete treatments to prevent thick mucus build-up in her lungs. Running a marathon should be impossible for Jen, yet she's ready to run two in 2019.

Kristen Genet, one of Jen's MOTR coaches who nominated her, shares, "Jen is such an inspiration. Despite managing breathing issues and cystic fibrosis, she sets huge goals and works her tail off every single day to achieve them. I can not wait to cheer her across the finish line of her first marathon this year!" Read on to learn more of Jen's inspiring story. 

For Wendy Schmidley of Chippewa Falls Moms on the Run, 2018 was a big year of running. What started as a 40-day running challenge on Thanksgiving 2017 turned into running not only those 40 days, but every day in 2018. 

Shawnna Bresina and Jen Jilek, co-owners of Chippewa Falls Moms on the Run, nominated Wendy for inspiring member. "Wendy joined the FB running streak group in November of 2017," Shawnna shares, "and not only completed the challenge to run until the end of 2017, but continued on for 403 days with a total of 1,384 miles — all while crushing her first full marathon! She is so encouraging to all of our ladies and we are so lucky to have her as part of our Chippewa MOTR!"

Read on for a fun conversation with Wendy. 

West Fargo Moms on the Run coach Kayla Hiedeman says her West Fargo group is the reason she is who she is today. "MOTR has been a blessing in my life! These ladies — and running — have gotten me through some of the toughest times of my life and MOTR has been there to celebrate the highlights."

In her nomination, West Fargo owner Eileen Pruis shares, "Kayla's ability to be encouraging and always smiling makes her a great inspiration to those she runs with." That's why Kayla is our most inspiring member for December. Join in on our conversation to find out a little more about Kayla.

White Bear Lake/Shoreview Moms on the Run member Amy Bell says, “If you want to restore your faith in humanity, run a marathon.” Such a sweet mantra coming from someone who thought she’d never run more than 20 minutes around the neighborhood. Today, she has run three Ragnar races, nine half marathons, countless shorter races and, last month, she finished her third Twin Cities marathon — and the one of which she's most proud. “Amy’s positivity and ‘one-foot-in-front-of-the-other’ attitude is an amazing example for so many who think that they aren’t cut out to run,” raves fellow coach Jennifer Fink, who nominated Amy. “She is absolutely an energizer bunny.” And for that, Amy is our Most Inspiring Member for November.