With the holidays so close, it can be challenging to shop for a mother-to-be, especially if you want to buy something specifically for her and not the baby.  I’ve had several pregnant running and fitness enthusiast mother’s-to-be ask me what would be some great presents to ask for during this holiday season. I created a 50 Holiday Gifts List for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts based on my own personal experience. I have a lot of these items on this list that I have acquired pre and post pregnancies. If you are going to be a running mama, I highly recommend the books from Another Mother Runner, Run Like a Mother and Train Like a Mother.   They are quick, enjoyable, easy reads. Of course, if someone wants to splurge on a mom-to-be, the BOB Revolution SE jog stroller is an awesome gift. It is one of the best strollers I have owned and I currently own altogether four strollers. The 50 Holiday Gifts for for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts gifts range from under $25 – under $600.  You can also find more gift ideas under Run Stroller Run’s Gift Ideas for Mama’s to Be on Pinterest. Here is a selection of 10 gifts out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts.     For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...

By Stephanie Maziejka This month’s massage article is inspired by Lara Coffee’s recent Ironman accomplishment, Congratulations Lara! Sport massage can be used to supplement the health and wellness of athletes everywhere and a good massage therapist caters the session and treatment plan to the athlete’s specific sport. Doing so allows the session to be as efficient and streamlined as possible and will take into consideration repetitive movements unique to the sport, targeted muscles for the sport, and the conditioning/training schedule of the athlete. Most runners that I have come across are passionate about running, almost more so than any other athlete is about their sport. Running, though not a contact sport in the traditional sense is incredibly hard on the body. Direct and forceful contact is made striking the ground repetitively sending shock through every joint and muscle in the body. Running’s Repetitive Movements and Injury Running is a series of movements continuously repeated which is why runners are at risk for repetitive injury if they are not careful. The most common areas of injury for a runner involve the feet and the knees. The joints of the body are meeting points for two bones and it is the place over which muscles cross resulting in articulation or movement. Injury (not caused by a direct trauma) usually occurs in hypertonic stressed areas where muscles have overly contracted, adhered to adjacent soft tissue areas and pull at the structure causing tension and overload. Overtime a body under stress and fatigue will decrease in productivity and resiliency and become more susceptible to mistakes and injury. It’s the same concept as individuals surviving through sleep deprivation or flourishing when well rested. The main actions of running are flexion/extension at the hip, knee, and ankle joint. The type...

‘Tis the season. Now that Turkey Trots are over and we say hello to Santa Shuffles, Jingle Jogs, Reindeer Runs and more. We rounded up some of the best jingle bell runs and Santa-themed family and stroller friendly races.  Which ones do you prefer? Check back on a regular basis to see what Santa Shuffles, Jingle Jogs, and Reindeer Runs were added. Friday, December 6, 2013 Florida 5K Santa Fun Run/Walk – Clermont, FL Harmony Christma5K – Harmony, FL Texas Rudy Run 5K – Caldwell, TX Saturday, December 7, 2013   Arizona AZ Santa Run – Scottsdale, AZ Run From the Cops 5K – Tempe, AZ California 2013 Tiger Run 5K/10K, Cycle Tour 5K, Tiger Cub Run, Health & Wellness Fair – South Pasadena, CA Eagal Lakes Walk/Run to a Brighter Christmas and Kids Jingle Jam – Tracy, CA Merced Jingle Bell Run for Toys for Tots – Fresno, CA Midway Run & Walk – Alameda, CA Reindeer Run 5K Run/Walk – San Luis Obispo, CA Reindeer Run/Walk – American Canyon, CA The Sweater Dash – Northern California – Pleasanton, CA Florida 2nd Annual Santa Claus for a Cause – Fort Myers, FL Blizzard on the Beach 5K – Pensacola, FL Color Blast 5K Run – Lakeland, FL Festival of Lights 5K – Jacksonville, FL Rudolph’s Reindeer Dash 5k  Stuart, FL Santa Shuffle 5K Run – Tavares, FL Georgia DECA the Halls – Gainesville, GA Frosty 5K – Dahlonega, GA Jingle Bell Run 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk – Jesup, GA Jingle Bell Run – Newnan, GA Jingle Dash – Conyers, GA Jingle Jog – Acworth, GA Reindeer Run – La Fayette, GA Run Run Rudolph 5K – Commerce, GA Santa Shuffle – Moultrie, GA Winterfest 5K – Valdosta, GA Illinois 5K...

Here is the follow up post on 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads.  My Au Pair thought it would be great if I could publish a 50 Holiday Gifts List for Host Moms and Dads. She told me it is very stressful buying for host parents, especially when they seem to have “everything” they want. Here is my 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads.   This is for all those Au Pairs that are not quite sure what to buy for their Host Dads. Click on the picture on the right hand side and it will open the 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads pdf.  The pdf has hyperlinks, so scroll over the item you are interested in and click through to the website where you can purchase the gift. The 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads gifts range from under $25 – under $100.  You can also find more gift ideas under my Gift Ideas for Host Dads on Pinterest. Here is a selection of 10 gifts out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads. Pinterest Boards Dedicated to 50 Holiday Gift Lists Pinterest: Gifts for Au Pairs Pinterest: Gifts for Host Dads Pinterest: Gifts for Host Moms Pinterest: DIY Gifts From Kids...

After writing my 50 Holiday Gifts for Au Pairs, my current Au Pair thought it would be great if I could publish a Holiday Gift Guide for Host Moms and Dads. She told me it is very stressful buying for host parents, especially when they seem to have “everything” they want. Here is my 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Moms.   This is for all those Au Pairs that are not quite sure what to buy for us Host Moms. Click on the picture on the right hand side and it will open the 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Moms pdf.  The pdf has hyperlinks, so scroll over the item you are interested in and click through to the website where you can purchase the gift. The 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Moms gifts range from under $25 – under $100.  You can also find more gift ideas under my Gift Ideas for Host Moms on Pinterest. Here is a selection of 10 gifts out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Moms. Stay tune for the Holiday Gifts for Host Dads.   Pinterest Boards Dedicated to 50 Holiday Gift Lists Pinterest: Gifts for Au Pairs Pinterest: Gifts for Host Dads Pinterest: Gifts for Host Moms Pinterest: DIY Gifts From...

Buying for an Au Pair, nanny, and/or child care provider can sometimes be difficult and for most parents more stressful than buying for their significant others. Your child’s care giver is watching your most precious asset(s) everyday and you want to ensure they feel appreciated.  The questions that go through my mind when shopping for my Au Pair are: How much do I spend? How much is too much? Do I buy multiple presents or just one? Is cash OK? Do I give gift cards? I have an Au Pair that lives in our house and is our adopted daughter, so I budget for her gifts like I do my other two children. She will be spending the holidays with us and waking up on Christmas morning with just as much anticipation and excitement as my three year old. Most Au Pairs have never experienced Christmas and/or other seasonal holidays American style, so in my experience all of our Au Pair’s are just as or more excited than my children. Because it can be challenging to come up with some ideas, here is a list with 50 Holiday Gifts for Au Pairs with gifts ranging from under $25 – under $200.  You can also find more gift ideas under my Gift Ideas for Au Pairs on Pinterest. Pinterest Boards Dedicated to 50 Holiday Gift Lists Pinterest: Gifts for Au Pairs Pinterest: Gifts for Host Dads Pinterest: Gifts for Host Moms Pinterest: DIY Gifts From Kids Here are eight gift ideas out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Au Pairs.  ...

It is that time of year: Holiday time!  Are you starting to think about what to buy your running friend, spouse, daughter, etc? Below, I have put together my 2013 Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners I love Etsy.  Especially for unique, fun gifts that I wish I was capable of making for others, but do not have the time or the talent to do so.  The list is not in order by preference,  but by lowest price to the highest price gifts. Happy Shopping and enjoy my Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners. Run Etched Wine Glass  by  WulfCreekDesigns  Price $14.99 The Girlfriends Marathon Picture by  yankeegirlart Price $18.99 Running Wall Quote – Fred Lebow Quote – In Running Wall Decal by WallapaloozaDecals  Price $22.63 Customized Marathon Key Chain by  PearlieGirl Price $27.00 Running tee: are my kids still chasing me? By AnotherMotherRunner – they finally opened an Etsy store this October. Price $30 Eat Clean, Train Dirty Pyrex Baking Dish by GoneGirly  Price $30.00+ Marathon half marathon Medal Display – 24in.,30in.,48in. Black or White  by Victorymedaldisplays Price $34.99 + It runs in the family, bib and medal holder.  YorkSignShop Price $45.00 Run Wild My Child by spunkyfluff   Price $57.50 Custom Made t shirt quilt Running and Triathlon Shirts by HappyQuiltDesigns  – Price ranges $230-$380 **The pictures below are in the numeric order above.   For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner  ...

What better way to not feel guilty about eating that turkey and pumpkin pie or to escape the family holiday drama, but to participate in a Turkey Trot.  Here is an extensive list of Turkey Trots throughout the United States that are family and stroller friendly. These races are listed on Run Stroller Run stroller friendly race calendar. Saturday, November 23, 2013 Arizona Color in Motion 5K – Tucson, AZ California 5K Turkey Trot – Commerce, CA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Donner Lake Turkey Trot – Soda Springs, CA Napa Valley Turkey Trot – Napa, CA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 ‘Stache Dash 5K – Costa Mesa, CA Womble Rumble – Lodi, CA Colorado Panicking Poultry Turkey Trot – Boulder, CO – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 District of Columbia Cranberry Crawl 5K Run – Washington, DC Florida City of Hialeah Turkey Trot – Hialeah, FL Electric Run – Miami – Miami, FL Harvest Hustle – Lakewood Ranch, FL Right Whale 5K Run & 2.5K Walk – Jacksonville Beach, FL Run For Futures 8K/5K Run/Walk – Daytona Beach, FL St. Helen Catholic School 5K Harvest Run – Vero Beach, FL – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Wild Hog Jog – Panama City, FL – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Georgia Gobble Wobble Walk-N-Run 5K – Bellville, GA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot – Statesboro, GA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Turkey Trot – Homerville, GA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Turkey Trot – Milledgeville, GA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Illinois Turkey Trot for Technology – Sandwich, IL – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Indiana The Mo Run – Mustache Run (Indianapolis) – Indianapolis, IN Run, Walk and Roll 5K – Michigan City,...

It was great to be recognized by my Alma Mater Campbell University for my Ironman achievement. Check out what they had to say about me; Where are they now: Former women’s soccer player Lara Anderson Coffee ’97.            For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...

Here we are again, round four of answering questions about my Ironman Journey.  The question of the day, What is your training schedule? If you just started following me on this journey, check out: Ironman Journey Q & A Part 1: Do you have children and if so, how old are you kids? And when did you decide to do an Ironman? Ironman Journey Q & A Part 2:  Are you crazy?  Why now? Why Not Before Kids? Ironman Journey Q & A Part 3: Aren’t you afraid you are going to miss a lot of your daughter’s firsts?  If you would like me to answer any questions, the “submit your questions” button is on the bottom of the page.                                                                                                                            What is your training schedule? Training schedule…I feel like this should be an easy answer, but for me and my family, I have to be flexible yet consistent with my training schedule. I do have two young children and at any given time, my schedule can change due to illnesses, work functions, hubby coaching schedule, etc. Workout Schedule Monday – Evening Family Run/Strength train 35-60 minutes Tuesday – Morning Bike on my trainer (60 minutes) Wednesday – Afternoon Swim workout and Track Workout Thursday – Morning Bike on my trainer (60 minutes) Friday – Off Saturday – Morning Long Ride Sunday – Morning Long Run You will notice that only on Wednesday’s I get two workouts in; and most Wednesday I can only squeeze the swim in.  Most Ironman training plans I have researched and the one I receive from the team, schedules two a-day workouts at least 3 days a week. Two of those days generally consist of bike and swim.  As you can see, I only swim once a week. I am...