Occupation: Both Erika and Michelle work for Walk The Talk, a management and leadership development company; the duo also founded Running Moms Rock

Stats: The native Texans—and longtime friends—started running together after becoming moms (Erika is mom to Riley, 5; Emery, 4; and Grayson, 2. Michelle is mom to Diego, 6; and Isabella, 4). The pair quickly realized the importance of staying fit to keep up with their growing families. During a 10K race, these two mapped out their next project: starting a running group for other busy moms. Running Moms Rock (RMR) was born early last year and will host its first race in April benefiting Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County. The 5K event will be held at 5 p.m. Apr. 24 at The Shops of Highland Village.

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Michelle and I began working together in 2002. We weathered our first pregnancies together, with our sons being born four days apart, as well as all of the uncertainties that first-time motherhood brings.

Over the next few years, three more babies joined our collective brood. And so, to manage our stress of juggling the demands of motherhood and working part-time, we began running races together.

In mid-2009, Michelle and I ran a memorable 10K race. I left my headphones at home and so spent my race taking in the sights: observing mothers jogging with their strollers, listening to fellow runners cheering each other on, seeing motivational slogans on the backs of t-shirts.

During this period in my life, I felt that I wasn’t living with much passion. I felt that there was some type of void. And whether it was the electricity in the air, the ambiance of the race, or just being hyped up on endorphins, as I continued to run, I began to reflect on the things that I was truly passionate about.

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