On the Move With Sarah Brown Carter: How One Mom Is Building a Virtual Run Club for Moms Everywhere
Photo Credit: Sarah Brown Carter (@sarahbrowncarter ); Photographer: @fotoluisangel
When we talk to parents who run with their kids, the same theme keeps coming up: movement makes the hard days easier and the good days even better. Few people embody that truth like Sarah Brown Carter — a mom of two, producer, and creator whose everyday training (often with her BOB Gear jogging stroller) has inspired parents from coast to coast to lace up and get outside.
This summer, Sarah launched @virtualmomrunclub on Instagram, a simple, supportive online community where moms cheer each other on through training, whether that’s a 10-minute walk or a half marathon cycle with a jogging stroller. We reached out to Sarah for a Q&A because her message is exactly what we believe at BOB Gear: small, consistent miles add up to big confidence and enjoyment — for everyone involved!
Below, Sarah shares the story behind the club, what running has taught her about motherhood, and the moments she’ll never forget from training and racing with a stroller.
Q&A: On the Move with Sarah Brown Carter (@sarahbrowncarter | Founder of @virtualmomrunclub)
Photo Credit: Sarah Brown Carter (@sarahbrowncarter )
BOB Gear (Question 1): You’ve inspired so many moms by blending running with motherhood so naturally. What motivated you to start the Virtual Mom Run Club, and what do you hope it brings to the mom community?
Sarah: While training for my first-ever half-marathon (this past May), I checked in with a friend multiple times a week who was training for the same race. We lived an hour apart and never ran together, during training or on race day, but having that communication and encouragement while training was really special. After finishing the race, I knew that I wanted to race again, and after receiving quite a few DMs from other moms about how they were motivated to sign up for a race now, I had the idea to start a Virtual Mom Run Club IG DM chat where we could all encourage each other through training. Most of the moms in the DM chat were moms that I had never met, but we all had one thing in common - we were moms training for a race. As the chat grew, I thought creating a dedicated account would be fun. The DM chat is still active, but now the run club account is able to reach more moms.
BOB Gear (Question 2): You’ve documented such a beautiful journey running through pregnancy and postpartum. What has running taught you about motherhood — and vice versa?
Sarah: Thank you so much. I think the biggest thing I’ve gained is a new appreciation for what my body is able to do. I’ve also learned to let go of perfection. Before kids, I was too embarrassed to really start running, even though I had always wanted to try, because I thought I was too slow. After having kids, I am just grateful to get out of the house, with or without the kids, and move my body. I couldn’t care less about my speed (even though my first few postpartum runs were 16-minute miles). I’ve learned to not take things for granted. My morning sickness was so bad with both pregnancies that it really limited my ability to run. When I started running again postpartum, I was so slow, uncomfortable, and 50 lbs heavier, so it just makes me appreciate movement so much more.
BOB Gear (Question 3): We know there are parents out there curious about what it’s really like to train for a race with a jogging stroller. Can you describe how your BOB Gear jogging stroller became part of your training routine?
Sarah: The BOB Gear jogging stroller became a part of my running routine because almost all of my training runs were with at least one of my two kids. At least two, if not all three of my weekly runs were with a jogging stroller. It eventually got to the point where it actually felt strange to run without one. I have tried running with a few other strollers, and they felt cumbersome by comparison. With the BOB, I barely notice any additional resistance (with the exception of running uphill).
BOB Gear (Question 4): You crossed the half-marathon finish line pushing your toddler — such an incredible moment! What was going through your mind in those final strides?
Sarah: I was just trying to remember to breathe! I found myself sprinting full force for the last 100-200 meters, and in those final strides, my lungs were absolutely burning. It was hard to catch my breath after crossing the finish line, and I just kept thinking over and over again, “slow your breath down, slow your breath down.” It took a few minutes after finishing, and then the reality of everything hit me, and I was just so dang proud of us — my toddler and myself. My mind was emotional, but my reality was trying to catch my breath, ha-ha.
BOB Gear (Question 5): You’re now a mom of two! What’s your advice to other parents who want to stay active but feel overwhelmed by the day-to-day of parenting?
Sarah: First step: get a (jogging) stroller that you can easily take anywhere. Especially with two kids, the stroller is what allows you to get out of the house. And just take it slowly. Some days, all you can do is a 15-minute walk, but that’s better than nothing. And everyone, kids and parents, benefits from 15 minutes of fresh air and some movement.
BOB Gear (Question 6): Your fitness approach focuses on sustainability, not burnout. Can you share a few simple habits that helped you regain strength and confidence postpartum?
Sarah: Sustainability has been my main focus since my first was born. So, for me, that meant altering my workouts so that I still had energy during the day. So, for example, postpartum with my first, my runs were just 20-40 minutes, 3x a week. I didn’t focus on speed or distance; I just watched the clock, tried to stay in zone 2, and didn’t run longer than the time that I had planned for that day. I still received the health benefits from running, but I wasn’t burnt out the rest of the day. Likewise with strength, I condensed my workouts to 4-5 movements, totaling about 30 minutes, and focused on heavier weights.
BOB Gear (Question 7): Your brand-new Virtual Mom Run Club on Instagram is about connection as much as movement. How have other moms supported or surprised you on your running journey so far?
Sarah: It’s been such a pleasant surprise to see how supportive the running community is, especially the mom running community! Any time I see someone share a Virtual Mom Run Club post or tag the account in their post or story, I get so excited. I’m so inspired by all these moms going after their goals while still taking care of their families. And it really motivates me on those days when I’m feeling overwhelmed. If they can do it, then I can do it. I think a lot of the moms in the group feel the same way, and it’s really cool to see.
BOB Gear (Question 8): What do your kids think of your running adventures? Any favorite memories with them in the stroller?
Sarah: My kids love our runs! It’s just part of our routine now. The best memory is definitely running the half-marathon with my 2-year-old. I ran the entire race without headphones, and we just talked the whole time. We looked for fire trucks, police cars, and “guys making a house,” just like we did on all our training runs. The whole run, he kept saying, “We’re running with people!!” It was really special.
BOB Gear (Question 9): At BOB Gear, we just finished celebrating 30 years of movement and family adventures. What does building an “active legacy” mean to you and your family?
Sarah: I would love for my kids to grow up with movement being a part of their everyday life. Running, lifting weights, going on walks, and being active in general are such gifts and should never be viewed as punishment.
BOB Gear (Question 10): For new moms curious about getting started — whether it’s walking around the block or signing up for a 5K — what would you tell them?
Sarah: Just start. Put on your walking or running shoes and step out of the door. Oftentimes, the hardest part is starting. It’s never as hard as you think it will be, and you will feel better afterwards. Also, tell someone you made a commitment to yourself to start so that they can check in on you to keep you accountable. Community, even if it’s just with one other person, is so valuable. And don’t give up on yourself — you’re stronger and capable of more than you think. You’ve got this.
Keep Going
If Sarah’s words nudged you to start (or re-start), consider this your sign. Lace up, buckle up the kids, and get moving in your local neighborhood, a nearby park, or the closest track. Don’t forget to tag @bobgearus and @virtualmomrunclub. We’ll be cheering for those #strollermiles right alongside you.
About Sarah Brown Carter
Sarah Brown Carter is a mother of two and a wife who has created relatable fitness content throughout pregnancy and postpartum. After training for her first half marathon, often with a jogging stroller, she launched @virtualmomrunclub, a welcoming Instagram community that helps moms stay accountable and celebrate progress at any pace. Sarah also shares strength and cardio routines designed to fit real-life parent schedules. Follow her at @sarahbrowncarter.
Virtual Mom Run Club: Quick FAQs
Q: What is it?
A: A welcoming Instagram-based community created by Sarah where moms encourage each other through training—zero pressure, lots of support.
Q: Who can join?
A: Any mom or mom-to-be who wants accountability for walking, running, or training with/without a stroller.
Q: How do I participate?
A: Follow @virtualmomrunclub and @sarahbrowncarter on Instagram. Watch for monthly prompts and community spotlights. (Sarah often invites moms to send short training clips for end-of-month recaps.)
Q: Do I need to be fast or be training for a race?
A: Nope. All paces and goals welcome—from “first walk around the block” to “PR with a stroller.”
Q: What gear do I need?
A: Whatever gets you moving. If you plan to run with a child, choose a purpose-built jogging stroller and follow the age/usage guidelines in your stroller manual.