The spring Girls On The Run season just flew by and the 10 week season is over. I’ve now been coaching for about 3 and 1/2 years and each season’s end is a little bittersweet for me. In case you are not familiar with the program, let me just give you a little background on how our Girls On The Run program works.
Girls On The Run
Girls On The Run is not just a running program. Each practice we have a planned lesson that might focus on friends, standing up to bullies, decision making, self respect or stress reduction techniques to name a few. The first half of our meetings are spent with activities and games that incorporate that week’s topic. The girls are encouraged to speak their minds and balance differing viewpoints.
The second half of the lessons are run coaching and all of the girls work together towards achieving the goal of running a 5K together with the other teams in the area. We usually run between 1-2 miles each practice. I love to see the girls bonding as a team and encouraging each other. My hope is that the friendships they have made through running will give them a bond to take into middle and high school.
I over see the program at our elementary school and this season we had 52 girls ranging from 3-6 grade. As my background is in adolescent psychotherapy ( I have an MSW), I prefer to work with the 6th grade girls. I often joke that they are old enough to be able to give meaningful feedback to our discussions but young enough to still think I am pretty cool and open up to me. Ha ha.
Some of the girls are a little nervous leading up to race day but when the day came, they were excited and ready to go. Our team met up right before the start for a last minute pep talk and then we were off.
I love to see their faces as the cross the finish line with huge smiles and feelings of satisfaction. Trying not to get too sappy here but it’s really an emotional event to see so many young girls running this 5k with their moms and dads. This year I saw so many dads out there running with and supporting their girls athletic pursuits. Who knows maybe I am inspiring the next generation of my Moms Run This Town group.
I am really going to miss these girls. Can’t wait until next season so we get to do it all over again!
Linking up today
AnneMarie, Nicole, Jen
What an amazing experience. I LOVE this group and think it’s so valuable to girls!
I love it too and couldn’t agree more
So many congrats to the girls but also to the coaches–you all do a masterful job!
I truly do love working with them and thank you
This seems like such a great organization and such a great thing for young girls! congrats to the girls on a great season and race and congrats to you coach!!
Thanks so much and yes a great program indeed
This has to be such a rewarding experience! Congrats on a great season with the girls.
Very rewarding indeed!
It’s really SUCH a fabulous program! You are changing girls’ lives.
Thanks Judy I hope so in some small way
I can only imagine how rewarding it is to empower these young girls through running! I love that the Dads are running too.
I was really pleased to see so many dads out there this year as well
What a great recap! You’re such an inspiration to these young girls and serving as a wonderful role model. I really need to look into working with this group in Philly – it’s so important to build our girls up! Congrats on another great season!
I think you would love it too if you have the time to do it
Sounds like it as a really fun season! Really awesome program you run 🙂
I truly enjoy working with them so much
I hope to get involved with GOTR one day!
They would be lucky to have you aboard
GOTR is such a great program. I’m sure it builds self-confidence in the girls and lets them see how fun running can be!
yes exactly!
A friend and myself have talked briefly about starting one these chapters locally. I would be an emotional wreck seeing all of them at the finish line LOL
Oh I think you would love to coach them and they would be lucky to have you. If you have any questions let me know
Such a great self of steam booster for the young ladies! I bet that is so much fun to coach and connect with them!
I really do love it
I love this program so much. The fact that the girls build those friendships outside of school and before all the teenage craziness is so fantastic. They’re also lucky to form relationships with mentors like you!
I also love that they are able to make friends they may not have made. Middle school is hard
I love the mission of Girls on the Run and would love my girls to be a part of it when they’re older. Kudos to you and your team!
Thanks! I hope your girls get to participate too
I say this every time I read about Girls on the Run, but I really would love to get involved. I miss coaching high school cross country and I think I’m ready to make the commitment again. What a great experience, both for the girls and the coaches.
You would be an amazing coach! Do it 😍
I so loved seeing all your pics on IG! You’re such an inspiration to those girls (and to us bloggers)!
Oh thanks so much Rachel
I love seeing GOTR posts. My BFF’s daughter just ran her first 5K and seeing her smile just warmed my heart. Thanks for inspiring these girls (and the parents) and being a role model for them!
Thanks so much and fabulous to hear that your friend’s daughter loved it so much
Wow, what a huge group you had! This is such a great organization. I wish my work schedule let me get more involved.
You would love it maybe some day
Love this! So much fun!
It is great fun for sure
I always wanted to be a coach for GOTR, but couldn’t fit it into my schedule. Looks like such a fun time!
I hope you have the opportunity at some point it’s really so rewarding
What an amazing program! I had never heard of it before, but am so impressed. I used to work in a K-8 school and think some of the girls there would have gotten a lot out of this program.
It’s a nationwide program so perhaps they have it somewhere near you as well. I agree it’s just fabulous for that age girls.
I love that you do this and I absolutely adore all of the photos you have with them! Such an awesome way to connect and inspire!
Thanks so much hope your girls have the chance to participate one day it’s a fabulous program
It has been so fun following along on Instagram! Here’s to another season!
Thanks Carmy!
I love this! I’m planning to do something similar at my daughter’s school next year. Great job!
That’s fabulous hope you love it!
Looks like a great season. I def need to look into GOTR, what a great way to give back to the running community.
I really find it so rewarding hope you have a chance to get involved
Great recap and it does sound so meaningful. I’ve been wanting to coach with Girls on the Run, so this was such an encouraging read!
I hope you have the chance sometime it’s very rewarding
I know how much you love working with the girls as their coach. What a great end to the season, and hopefully next season is just as, if not more, successful.
Thanks so much! Really appreciate it
You girls rock! Keep up the great work, Deb!
Thanks so much!