People get involved with Girls on the Run for all sorts of reasons—each one as valid and meaningful as the next. For me, it all started with my passion for physical activity, especially running. Fresh out of college, I missed the fast-paced, impactful environment of campus life, where volunteer opportunities were always within reach.
I recalled Girls on the Run from my elementary school days and decided to explore it. No coaching experience needed? Perfect. I couldn’t hit that apply button fast enough! Soon after, I was placed with a team and started gearing up for the season ahead.
Walking into my first practice, I knew no one—not the other coach, not the kids, not even the school. But I entered with a smile, eager to embrace something new and help kids discover the joy of being active, just like I had.
A few weeks into the season, I quickly realized Girls on the Run is about so much more than running. We were talking about friendship, decision-making, and other essential life skills that, truth be told, I still found challenging. As I taught these lessons, I found myself learning and growing right alongside my team. It was a chance to reflect on these topics at a deeper level and practice them together.
Watching these kids push their limits inspired my co-coach and me to push ours, so we signed up for a half marathon—and finished it together! During that race, there were moments when I wanted to quit. But then I remembered a recent practice lesson on Positive and Negative Self Talk. I could hear my team’s voices in my head, reminding me to turn those negative thoughts into positive ones. So I did. And as I crossed the finish line, their cheers echoed in my mind.
Twelve seasons later, I’m hooked. I’m still learning and growing alongside my teams, constantly improving and seeing things from new perspectives. It’s incredible to watch these kids inspire one another—and the adults around them. Each season, they leave with a toolbox full of skills they’ll carry with them through life, no matter their age.
At the start of the season, many new Girls on the Run participants say there’s no way they’ll run a 5K by the end. One of the most rewarding moments as a coach is watching them cross that finish line, beaming with pride, proving to themselves that they’re capable of more than they ever imagined.
Girls on the Run is setting them up for a future of success, reminding them—and me—that we’re all capable of achieving whatever we set our minds to.
