Maine Coast Half Training Programs:

Moms in Motion:

Courtesy of Seacoast Online: By Ken Stejbach
kstejbach@seacoastonline.com
July 08, 2008 6:00 AM
STRATHAM — There's power in numbers.

Just ask moms like Deborah McKenna, Jane Scola and Barb Hudanich. Even a non-mom like Andrea Vibbert.
"There's 27 of us," said Kristen Parlin, the national marketing and public relations director for Moms in Motion. "And it's not too late to join."

What is Moms in Motion?

In short, it's a program that connects moms and non-moms through fitness.

"As most women experience," said Parlin in an earlier article, "finding time to exercise can be difficult. Add in work, kids and family, and fitness can fall to the bottom of our priority list. Women of all ages need to know that taking time for ourselves to get healthy and reach a goal will makes us more energetic, self-confident and happy. Working with a supportive group each week and being a positive role model also makes women better friends, girlfriends, spouses and moms."

This past Wednesday evening Parlin and her 27 moms and non-moms got together for the first time at Stevens Park Playground and went through their first workout, which included a 3.1-mile run. "Awesome," said McKenna, referring to their first run. McKenna, a 44-year-old from Exeter, is the mother of Logan and Erin. This particular team of moms and non-moms has a goal of running/walking the Maine Coast Half Marathon, an all women's walk or run race on Sept. 21 in York, Maine. They'll not only be doing it for themselves, but for a charity.

This time it's "Annie's Angels," a non-profit organization directed by Bill DaGiau, which benefits research for diseases like cancer, AIDS and Muscular Dystrophy. DaGiau, who cycles thousands of miles each year to raise funds, started the charity after his mother, Annie, passed away in 2003 from breast cancer. "I have all the confidence in the world in these women," said DaGiau, who has himself logged 25,000 miles on the bicycle these past seven years while raising funds. "God bless them." The hardest part of getting into a fitness routine is getting out there. As far as bicycling is concerned, once you're on the bike, you're "good to go." For these women, who want to run or walk the half marathon, it's coming here. McKenna feels the group's commitment to fitness and the support from all the other women which makes you feel good.

So does Hudanich, the mother of Brian and Sara. "Motivation," said the 46-year-old from Exeter, referring to why she joined, and noting the 5K they ran together felt great. Weight reduction is one of Hudanich's goals. She laughed when she noted that when it comes to dresses she couldn't possibly buy another size larger. She, like the rest of the women, also enjoys the camaraderie of the group. Her goal when it comes to the half marathon is to run (not walk) at least half of it. "Fabulous ... refreshing," said Scola, a 45-year-old mother of Ben, Alex and Sophia from Exeter, referring to their first workout. Scola got the incentive to join Moms in Motion when she ran the recent Girls on the Run "Spring into Summer" 5K with her daughter. "Here I am," said Scola.

Vibbert, a 61-year-old from North Hampton, isn't a mother, but she, like the rest, joined for the same reasons. "It's the kind of motivation I need," said Vibbert, noting she's just coming back from a running injury. "This was my first run in eight weeks," and as she noted, it felt "good."

"This was electric," said Parlin, referring to their first workout. "Everyone supported each other. An amazing, amazing first practice."

The group meets every Wednesday evening at Stevens Park Playground at 6:30 p.m., and as Parlin noted, it's not too late to join. For more information on the local group, contact Parlin at 498-3840 or by e-mail at kristen.momsinmotion@gmail.com. Parlin, who has been a personal trainer the past 14 years, graduated with a degree in sports medicine from the University of Miami at Ohio. She also has a masters degree in exercise and health.

For DaGiau, this is the first time an entire group has sponsored "Annie's Angels." His longest bicycle trek each year is a seven-day, 560-mile Empire State AIDS Ride from Niagara Falls, N.Y., to Battery Park in Manhattan.

 

Contact Info for Mom's in Motion

Team Leader: Kristen Parlin
Email: kristenparlin@comcast.net