The Coolest Day

Every once in a great while we are presented with the opportunity to be a part of something really great.  I feel like in my career I do good on a regular basis.  It's kind of the nature of being a social worker.  But it's still a job at the end of the day, and that has left me feeling like I need to do something for the goodness of doing it.  

I have known about the Girls on the Run program for many years, and my schedule hasn't allowed for me to really be involved until now.  I spent my first season coaching it, and from the bottom of my heart have loved every minute of it.  

If you aren't familiar with the program, you should take a few minutes and read about it.  It really isn't that much about running, but instead about fostering self-esteem and self-worth, and empowering and encouraging elementary school-aged girls.  The culmination of the program is that the girls all complete a 5K (running or walking), because it teaches them that they can set a seemingly impossible goal and that they can achieve it.  And if they can do that, then what in life can't they do?

This was a special season for this council, as it was the 10th Anniversary of GOTR here.  There were all sorts of celebratory events throughout the season, and it was capped off by a visit from Molly Barker, the founder of Girls on the Run.  She gave a talk for the coaches last week, had a running/walking evening with a girl from each team in the council, and then attended the 5K (and was on the course cheering alongside all the parents).  I had the opportunity to meet her for a few minutes after the 5K; she is truly an inspiration.

I guarantee that being a spectator at any race will fill your heart with all sorts of goodness.  There is something about watching people cross the finish line having laid it all out there.  The rawness of the emotions after having achieved whatever goal they set out to accomplish.  But those emotions are even more powerful when the runners are 8-10 year olds.  If you ever have the opportunity to attend a GOTR 5K, and watch those amazing girls cross the finish line so proud of themselves, you should.  You'll be forever inspired.