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Rebecca (right) and Kathryn Medina, 16-month-old twins, wait before their heading Suzie Medina (center right) and Stephanie Smith (center left) lead the pack of local mothers on a morning walk. |
Traffic tie-ups could occur three times a week where the Canal Path crosses Washington and Fall Hill avenues in downtown Fredericksburg.
Fortunately, no more than 10 of the 90 members of the local chapter of seeMOMMYrun usually venture out at any given time with their baby strollers.
"A lot of them don't come out that frequently. And some we have never seen at all," team leader Stephanie Hayden admitted. "Generally, we just want to stay in shape. But also to socialize and have our kids socialize with other kids."
Pushing sons Henry (4) and Oliver (2) three times a week does have its advantages. The lean and trim Hayden finished nearly four minutes faster than her two-hour goal in May's Marine Corps half marathon.
Four years ago, Andrea Vincent of Fairfax founded the organization, which now has 20,000 members across the country.
Occasional chapter runs are held at the Battlefield park on Lee Drive and on a trail off Harrison Road, but the Canal Path course is the current favorite of the group due to its flatness and smooth surface.
"This is a great one because of the playground [at Memorial Park] and the kids like to play afterwards," said Telly Salafia, out for a stroll with her two children, Siena (2) and Luga (10 months). "Yeah, this is a good location for me because it is close to my house. I'm always running late with the kids. I get here pretty easily."
Free to join, the chapter is flexible in scheduling its 4-mile weekly runs and e-mails members of cancellations or site or time changes.
Wednesday brought a typical turnout with one group departing with their strollers from the sidewalk on Mary Ball Street at 8:30 a.m., followed by a larger group at 9:30. Members set their own pace, stopping or walking when necessary.
Maggie Van Zandt has been a member of the club for over a year and often varies her arrivals, depending on the disposition of Palmer (2) and Griffin (10 months).
"They generally like it and usually afterwards we get to play in the park with their friends," the city resident said. "Some mornings, it's a challenge to get everybody up. If they are sleeping in the morning, I generally let them sleep a little bit. I switch it up."
While some members use the weekly get-togethers to prepare for competitive races, others simply want to socialize with other mothers or get their children outside.
"Sanity is my No. 1 benefit--being able to get out and do something for myself," Salafia said. "Socially, it's been great to meet other moms with other kids their age and just have a social outlet."
Two years ago, Salafia competed in the Kiawah Island (S.C.) marathon for the benefit of Leukemia and Lymphoma. She's planning to run the Outer Banks (N.C.) half-marathon in November.
Perspective members often learn of the chapter's activities through casual acquaintances or online.
Suzie Medina joined the club in July on the recommendation of fellow Fredericksburg Christian School graduate Stephanie Smith. The two friends played tennis, soccer and basketball together in high school.
"I was exercising at a gym at night, but it was taking time away from my family," said Medina, who was accompanied by her twin daughters Rebecca and Kathryn (16 months).
"Running on a treadmill was easier because I'm not pushing an additional 60 pounds in front of me," she added. "It's so much nicer to be able to run with friends and be able to talk to somebody while you're running; more entertaining."
Two-year-old Maddy offers a unique challenge for Smith. While 9-month-old Reagan is often asleep, Maddy is anxious to get out of the stroller and run as well.
"If I'm doing a 5K, my husband always comes with a stroller and lets her cross the finish line with me. She loves that," Smith said.
A month after moving here from Oakland, Calif., Shana Rigelhaupt already is a regular in the weekly circuit.
Adjusting to the higher humidity was a challenge at first, but Rigelhaupt found the group mother-friendly and fit in immediately.
"I felt very welcomed from the first time I posted on the blog. That's the big bonus," she said. "Then everyone runs at a different pace. So you don't feel like you have to keep up. You'll always find someone who will fit with what your fitness level is."
For more information about the Fredericksburg chapter, e-mail
Email: mikeandstephanieh@verizon.net. For the new Stafford chapter, e-mail
Email: elizabethmarquez@gmail.com. For an overview of the national organization, go to seemommyrun.com.
Kurt Nicoll: 540/374-5441
Email: knicoll@freelancestar.com
