Movement is everything, according to Alicia Rider.
If you’ve followed Omega Sports, you know Alicia. She’s one of our MEGA Influencers and has been featured in several of our posts. She’s a runner, a mother, a coach and so much more. So when Move Morevember arrived, we knew we needed her on board.
We caught up with Alicia to find out what role movement plays in her life. Scroll to the end to see which running shoe she likes to compete in.
How important is it to stay moving? Why do you prioritize movement?
Movement to me is everything. I have asthma and an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis). I hurt more when I stay still too long. I prioritize workouts and physical activity because I know it’s good for my health, but I also want to be a good role model for my daughter. I want her to see that her mom is strong. I want to be as healthy as possible for myself and her. We all have a reason “why” and that is a great thing to have when you need to dig deep to push through the tough workouts or new challenges. She is my best reason why.
How do you maintain movement motivation during the holidays?
Motivation has never been an issue for me because I don’t look at a workout as a “have to” but a “get to”. I am grateful that I can still do the sports and activities that I love. If someone is having an issue staying motivated, then I would simply say pick something that makes you happy and work from there. Or allow yourself the 10-minute rule. If you go to workout and you don’t want to be there 10 minutes after you’ve been working out— then don’t. I guarantee you’ll stay and finish that workout 99% of the time. The hard part is just showing up.
How do you stay active indoors?
I have a full gym in my basement. So I do the arc trainer, stationary bike, gymnastic rings, pull-up bar, dumbbells, and treadmill if it is icy or lightning outside.
How do you stay active outdoors?
Outdoors I love running, hiking, kayaking, ice skating, tennis. Basically everything. Except for the actual bike. I am horrible on the real bike.
What is your mantra?
My mantra can be simplified to one word: persevere. We use words like warrior and strong and those are great. To some degree, we all embody those attributes. Sometimes our word should simply be persevere. At times, that is what we have to do. If we can persevere through the hard times, the rough patches, and the fears holding us back, only then can we become stronger. We can use the struggles we overcame and pile them up under us to build a ladder to climb out of our hard times and to the top of the mountain. Warrior and strong are earned if only we can persevere.
How important is it to give during the holidays? Why do you do it? In what ways do you give back?
November is the month of giving, but I love to volunteer and give back as often as possible. Giving back is easy to do and isn’t always about monetary donations. I love to volunteer at races, my child’s school, and community events. I’ve been the spokesperson for the local Arthritis Foundation 5k. My two favorite charities to donate to are the Arthritis Foundation and the ChadTough Foundation.
My good friend lost her daughter, Lucy, to DIPG last year and the Chad Tough Foundation is fighting to find a cure. And, of course, the Arthritis Foundation because I can’t imagine any child that has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis not having hope for a cure. Cures need to be found for both—and soon.
What do you love about Saucony?
Saucony already had my heart with the Kinvara, but then they came out with the Endorphin collection and I fell in love all over again. I love the fact in the world of huge stack heights that you can still get a 4 drop in the Kinvara because I love the lower drop without compromising cushion. And their local rep is an incredible person. She did a lot of work to secure me another pair of the Pros for my upcoming races.
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What is your favorite Saucony shoe? Does it vary if you are training vs. competing?
This is a tough one! My ultimate favorite Saucony shoe has to be the Endorphin Pro. I ran a 50k in them this summer and was the overall female winner and secured the course record for females. It is such a lightweight shoe that really does a great job with energy return, but it also feels stable— especially in those later miles. The entire Endorphin line is incredible.
The Shift is a great easy-run shoe. I kinda refer to it like your “clunker”. You wouldn’t pull it out for a race but it definitely provides a reliable and heavily cushioned ride. The Speed is a great training shoe. It marries the cushion of the Shift with the bounce or the Pro. And it gets you ready for the beauty that is the Pro. But, I will always love the Kinvara too. I guess all of them are my favorite. 😄
