Moms on the Run

We love witnessing how women's lives are transformed through Moms on the Run. That transformation is evident in Erin Rheault's life. A part of Forest Lake (MN) Moms on the Run, Erin went from a non-runner in 2011 to head coach in 2018 to franchise owner in 2020. She has learned running is not only beneficial physically, but it has proven to be her greatest therapy and closest community. Read on for a conversation with Erin to learn more of her story. 

This month's inspiring member is proof that it's never too late to learn to run. Sue Dale was turning 59 when she joined Cottage Grove Moms on the Run — having never run before. Five years and several 5Ks later, Sue says her daughter, her coach and her teammates at Moms on the Run are the reason she now loves running.

Cottage Grove owner Charlyn McDanold shares, "Sue is always encouraging others and comes to class each week ready to give 110 percent. This year she is doing her first Winter Running Session so there is no stopping her. That takes a lot of dedication! Along with MOTR she also goes to the gym every morning to cross train and it shows, because every time she raced this past season she increased her pace. What I love the most about Sue, besides her dedication and commitment, is that she is always there for her team, to support them and to cheer everyone on." 

Read on to learn more of our conversation with Sue. 

At Moms on the Run, we hear over and over that many women join to get into running, but end up staying because of so much more. For Hastings (MN) member Amy Seefeld, Moms on the Run has far exceeded all her expectations. 

"I wasn't actually sure what I was searching or hoping for when I joined," reflects Amy, "but thankfully the MOTR family surpassed anything I could have dreamed up. You all have filled me up with inspiration, support, love, friendship, motivation (and the list goes on) to carry me through to where I am today. Thank you, God, for bringing these amazing women into my life!"

We truly have some rock stars at Moms on the Run. Beth Jensen, franchise owner and coach of Shoreview/White Bear Lake Moms on the Run, is one of them. You've heard her name before. In August, we named Beth as Twin Cities' Most Inspiring Coach for 2019 (read her story here). At that time, she was training for two big fall races:  a 50K and a 100 Miler. Two weekends ago, she ran the Savage 100 — a 100 mile trail run in a suburb of Minneapolis. With incredible crew support from her Shoreview/WBL MOTR team, Beth hit the trails in the middle of the night. But it's what she would do over the next 76 miles that would show her rock star status. Spoiler alert: She didn't cross the finish line the way she had hoped. Battling a shin injury, cold temps, nausea and mind games, she was disappointed in the results. But she nearly ran a triple marathon in 26.5 hours, and throughout her miles, taught the rest of us how to be a smart runner and listen to your body — and that is what truly makes her #MOTRstrong. We asked Beth to share her race story, and here is her report. 

Two years ago, if you would have told Sarah Hammer, a member of Eden Prairie (MN) Moms on the Run, that she would not only be a runner but an ultra-marathoner, she would have told you you were crazy. With the help of Moms on the Run, Sarah has completed five ultras and her goal of finishing a 50-mile race by the end of 2019. We found her story so inspiring we named her October's Most Inspiring Member. Read on to learn more of Sarah's inspiring journey, in her own words.