Spring GOTR

Hey!

Yo!

You Go Girl!

You Go Girl, Go!

Another season has come and gone of Girls on the Run. It was a season chalk full of inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience based curriculum which incorporates a lesson, stretching, warm up (practical application of the lesson) and running. 

It was also a season of seeing the returning girls grow exponentially in their strengths. For some that is encouraging other girls, for others being an amazing team player and yet others interjecting humor into our time together. Each girl grew in their love of running ... or so I like to think they each did :)

{Gabrielle celebrating the completion of our practice 5K} 

Each GOTR teammate was encouraged to invite someone to participate in the practice 5K as their running buddy. Gabi chose no other than her beloved teacher, Mrs. Lindsey. Maci was such a source of encouragement to Gabrielle which I believe strongly factored into her shaving several minutes off her completion time from the Fall season's practice run. 

We had 13 girls participate in the Spring session of GOTR. We will lose two of our participants this coming Fall as they will be moving on to middle school however we are expecting a lot of growth and are already making plans for a 2nd team! 

I spent the better part of an afternoon the week before our season finale 5K race making pinwheel hair bows for the team to wear. The lead coach, Nicole, reverse tie dyed our race tee shirts which turned out great! 

The Friday prior to the season ending 5K run at Corporate Woods we completed a service project. The girls each decorated a dozen paper lunch sacks and stuffed them with canned meat, fruit, chips, granola bar and bottled water to feed the homeless in the KC area. I loved watching some of the girls tap into their artistic side. 

It was a bittersweet ending to our Spring GOTR season. We had an absolutely perfect morning for our race. I am blessed to be a small part of instilling great values and encouragement into these girls. I'm already anticipating the Fall season and new curriculum!

Girls on the Run

I was so fortunate to join an amazing non-profit organization, Girls on the Run of Kansas City this Fall. We had six coaches and ten teammates sign up for the 1st season of GOTR at our elementary school, Meadow Lane. The Fall season ran 09/11 - 11/16.

{Picture taken after our practice 5K race on October 23rd}

The 10 week season ended in a celebratory 5K run at Arrowhead Stadium. Words can not express how proud I was of our team of 10 girls. Each of them ran the race with heart and determination to finish strong. I ran alongside MY girl and her sweet fellow 3rd grade friend, Lanie, and I am happy to report we ran the entire race {not without some tears of fatigue by Gabrielle)!

{A few of our girls pre-race with K.C. Wolf}

What is Girls on the Run you ask?

Girls on the Run is an after school program for 3rd - 5th grade girls that creatively incorporates running into lessons focused on developing essential life skills. Through interactive activities such as running, playing games, and discussing important issues, participants experience the joy of simply being themselves! The girls learn the importance of teamwork and cultivating healthy relationships. By gaining a greater sense of self-awareness and personal achievement, they are empowered to believe in themselves. The lessons inspire the girls to be strong, connected and self-confident young women. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime of appreciation of health and fitness. The program inspires girls to be Joyful, Healthy & Confident!

Excerpt above taken directly from GOTR

One Girl.

One Mile.

One Victory.

You.

Gabi and I are already looking forward to the Spring season which starts in early March!!