As most of you are aware, Girls On The Run is so much more than a running program. Founded in 1996 by Molly Barker, her aim was to provide “girls with the necessary tools to embrace their individual strengths and successfully navigate life experiences”.
From the Girls on The Run Northern Virginia site:
Our Vision
We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
Our Mission
We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
Our Values
- Recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision making
- Embrace our differences and find strength in our connectedness
- Express joy, optimism and gratitude through our words, thoughts and actions
- Nurture our physical, emotional and spiritual health
- Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent
- Stand up for ourselves and others
I jumped at the chance when I was offered a coaching position this spring at my kids’ old elementary school. I was even more excited when my teenage daughter signed on to be my junior coach. Needless to say, it was quite the bonding experience for the two of us. She had a great rapport with the girls and was also able to empathize with some of the challenges coaches and parents of pre-teen girls face. I only have her home for about another year before she goes off to college so I was thrilled to have this time with her.
The program is designed to meet twice a week for 10 weeks. Each session has a specific lesson plan in addition to run time. Themes range from bullying, to self-esteem to being a good friend to name a few. There are specific activities and games designed around these themes before the run time each week. The runs are non-competitive and fun for the girls. There is lots of positive reinforcement by way of stickers, lap counters etc. In the 8th week we had a low key practice 5k leading up to our race May 18th
Race Day
Our 5k was part of The Taste of Arlington (Virginia) celebration. The location was perfect with ample parking and plenty of spectator spots. Over 2,500 girls and their “buddy runners” lined up to take on the 3.1 miles. The younger girls typically run with a parent or friend while older girls run on their own.
I was asked to run with “K” one of the 10 year old girls on my team. I wasn’t really sure what her pace would look like race day as the girls are pretty much all over the place during the training runs. We arrived at the meet up point to have one last pep talk and stretch with our team. The girls were so excited to be running in a real race and seemed to have amazing energy. Even girls who really didn’t love the running aspect of the program seemed super excited and ready to go.
Similar to many 5k’s the start of the race was pretty crowded and we had to walk/run the first half mile or so to let the crowd thin out. As we neared mile 2, we were able to pick up our pace to about a 9:15 -9:30. It was so inspiring to hear parents encouraging their daughters along the way
“This is the farthest you’ve ever run!”
“This is the fastest you’ve ever run!”
“Don’t give up your so strong”
“You’re doing amazing-we’re almost there”
I found this so emotional as it brought back so many memories of doing the 5k 8 years ago with my daughter. I wasn’t a “Runner” yet then and it was a whole different experience for me this time. I was imagining these girls growing up and loving running as much as I do now.
As we approached the last mile, she wanted to pick up the pace and I was surprised that she could hold it. I was actually wondering whether I would be able to keep up with her. After an 8 week running hiatus due to a stress fracture this was my first real race back and I hadn’t done much speed work. We turned the corner and saw the finish line. She was so excited she just took off and ended up finishing about 20 seconds before me. I was so proud of her. Perfect ending to a great season!
My daughter was able to experience what it was like to volunteer at a large race and really loved handing out the medals to our girls at the finish.
I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity to coach the girls this spring and I can’t wait to do it again next fall. It was so rewarding to watch them progress through the lessons, bond with their classmates and some even learned to love running. It’s a great feeling to think I could be inspiring the next generation of female runners!
Have you ever done a GOTR race?
This is such a great organization and sounds like an amazing event. Way to volunteer and I’m sure your participation meant a lot to “K”! #wowlinkup
Thanks I loved volunteering and I can’t wait to do it again next season #Wowlinkup
I love GOTR! I coached in the fall and I miss it so much!
Ah I hope you get to do it again sometime. It really is so rewarding. Thanks for stopping by!
As you know, I love GOTR and am so proud and honored to have been a coach for 4 seasons. What a phenomenal organization. Congrats!
Thanks! It really is an honor to be involved and think that you are shaping girls’ futures and inspiring them to run and stay healthy.
I’ve heard of Girls on the Run but didn’t know the ins and outs of what they stand for and do. This is so cool! Glad you were able to be a coach for such a wonderful organization! Those girls will probably never forget you 🙂
Aw that’s really sweet. I honestly found it so rewarding and I can’t wait to volunteer again in the Fall. Thanks for stopping by!
What a great recap. I teared up reading it! Such a wonderful way to give back to the girls in our community, and how great that your daughter was a junior coach.
One of the best parts was being able to do it with my daughter. It was such a rewarding experience for both of us.
Such an incredible experience–empowering for everyone involved.
It really was! I’m so glad to have the opportunity to coach. Can’t wait to participate again in the fall.
I would love to participate in this someday when my kids are older and I don’t have childcare issues 😉 Looks like a blast!
I couldn’t do it when my kids were younger for the same reason. I hope you get to coach as some point it’s very rewarding.
My partner in blogger crime, Cindy, just participated as a Running Buddy with a local chapter of Girls on the Run. They are SUCH an amazing group. I hope to get involved with them next year.
I hope you can get involved! I really enjoyed the coaching experience and it was such a great self esteem builder for the girls. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
I was honored to be a running buddy this year to an amazing 10 year old girl and my teenager volunteered for the race also! I think I would seriously consider being a coach and thrilled and moved by the entire experience.
Well done coach!!
Cindy-I’m glad you had the opportunity to do the race as well. Check it out coaching was a great experience and perhaps you can do it with your daughter as well. Thanks so much for stopping by hope to see you again.
This is such a great program! I hadn’t heard about it before your posts. I wish there was a local chapter when my daughter was little. A friend’s daughter participated in this year’s local race and had a blast!
It is an amazing program and really builds the girl’s self esteem. It has spread quite a bit the last few years.
Yay! So glad you are a Girls on the Run ambassador! Such an important program, and I really think it makes a difference. I know some of my elite friends do it, and they find it so rewarding, just as you mentioned! Thanks for being a wonderful role model in our community 🙂
It was so rewarding really! Anyone can be a coach you don’t have to be a “fast” or “good” runner you just have to donate your time. It’s so worth it!
What a great organization! My sister just volunteered for GOTR in VA. I don’t think it was this same one though.
oh really! There were 2 races this past weekend. It’s huge in Va we had over 200 schools in the area. I hope she liked it too.
I’ve heard so much about this program. Sounds EXCELLENT!!!! I had friends who participated this past Winter and they totally enjoyed it! The girls inspired them. This looks like total fun! #wowlinkup
It’s really so rewarding! I can’t wait to do it again in the fall.
What an awesome experience! I have never done a GOTR event, but I have friends who are coaches and they love it. Great job to all! #wowlinkup
No, I haven’t done a GOT race. I would like to volunteer for one and maybe I might have my niece participate in one. I have to find out when it is done in Chicago. Visiting from the #wowlinkup.
Oh It was so rewarding to coach this season I really enjoyed it. Anyone can do the races as it raises money for the organization. I am sure they have it in Chicago-I hope you and your niece check it out. Thanks for stopping by!
This is such a great organization and sounds like an amazing event. Thank you for sharing.
It was a very rewarding experience for both me and my daughter. Thanks for stopping by hope to see you again.