Merrell Mamas Running For The Lives Of Other Women

By Nancy K. Crevier

As if running after the 31 children between the ages of infancy and middle school that they have between them is not enough, 11 Newtown mothers and one woman from Southbury have teamed up to run a 200-mile relay, from Yale University in New Haven to Harvard University in Boston, beginning Friday morning, May 21, and ending Saturday afternoon, May 22.

Dana Roth, Mandi Poseno, Emily Snayd, Nicole Karnas, Jeanine Parsons, Laura Nowacki, Brandi Shelton, Chi Ryder, Denise Passano, Patrice Wrage, Zoey Haddick, and Jenn Giles are the “Merrell Mamas” and will be running night and day, rain or shine, on pavement and over trails next month as one of 190 teams in the New England Ragnar Relay Series, a nationwide running event that began in Utah in 2004 with just 22 teams and has grown to become one of the largest relay series in the United States. This is the second year that the Ragnar Relay Series has been in New England, said Ms Roth, who was the impetus behind putting a team together.

And while the Ragnar Relay only recently moved into being a “run with a cause,” with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford the beneficiary of this year’s run, the Merrell Mamas decided from the get-go this winter that they would support the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury through donations to their team.

“We’re an all-women team, and a very fortunate group of people, so it’s nice to do something for women who do not have all that we do,” said Ms Poseno.

Once Ms Roth — who just started running two years ago — determined that she would like to put together a team, it was not hard to find 11 other women willing and able to take part, she said. She sent out a Facebook request for team members, talked to the women with whom she works out at Fitness Loft, and ended up with a waiting list. “We’re all women who just enjoy running,” she said, and their experience is varied.

“I wanted to jump right into it, as soon as Dana mentioned it to me,” said Ms Snayd, “but I had to adjust a work commitment first.” She resolved that issue and is eagerly training for the May event now. It was through Ms Snayd that the Merrell Mamas got their name — and their running gear. Ms Snayd is in the public relations department for Merrell shoes and active wear. “They offered to outfit us, which was wonderful,” said Ms Snayd.

Ms Poseno admitted that her initial reaction was a little less enthusiastic. “I had to be talked into it. I’ve been running short distances since I was in middle school, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be strong enough of a runner to be on the team. You don’t want to let anyone down. This has made me step outside of my comfort zone, though, and it’s a great group of women. It’s neat that everyone is so motivated to try something new,” she said.

The team members are mothers and so much more (including one who is “mother” only to a dog). “We include the fastest pediatrician in Newtown, Dr Nowacki, a nutritionist, four fitness instructors, an ex-Rockette, several triathletes, and one Iron woman, Jenn Giles,” said Ms Poseno. The rest are in it for the run and in it for the fun, she said.

Many of the women work out in the gym together, but building up running stamina is primarily an individual thing, said Ms Roth. She and Ms Snayd are using the training program on the Nike website, but most of the others “just keep running, and a lot of us do cross training,” she said.

The team has rented two 15-person vans, and has a support team of volunteers. As each runner takes on her leg of the race, ranging from a three-mile stretch to an eight-mile stretch, the vans “leap frog” with each other to pick up and drop off each relay runner. Each runner has three legs of the race assigned to her, of varying lengths. Ms Snayd, one of the stronger runners, will race a total of 19.5 miles, with the other runners racing stretches according to their strength.

The mixed terrain relay race is run rain or shine, in the bright light of day and in the dark cover of night. “We have headlights and reflective gear, though,” emphasized Ms Poseno, and additional volunteers on bicycles will provide companionship as the runners race through the night.

None of the Merrell Mamas have undertaken such a long and intensive running course before, said Ms Snayd, but they are there to support each other and inspire each other as the hours wear on.

“I do think it’s going to get to the point where it’s more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge, really,” said Ms Roth. “Even short runs can be mentally challenging.”

Run. Drive. Sleep — maybe. Drink. Why are the Merrell Mamas doing this?

It is a challenge and the chance to be a part of something big, said Ms Poseno. Running is a means of escape, of meditation, and a way to keep fit. “Being a stay-at- home mom is great,” said Ms Poseno, “but for me, I miss having a common goal like you do at work. This is giving me something to aim at.”

The Ragnar Relay is still a month away, but already there is talk about the next event. “I’d like to so a sprint,” said Ms Snayd. “We’ll see how it goes.”

To support the Merrell Mamas visit firstgiving.com/merrellmamas. One hundred percent of the money donated will support The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, an organization providing free and confidential services to ease the trauma of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other difficult transitions.