GOTR Spring 2012

Okay, so I'm about a month behind on blogging, so the photo-blogging with minimal words will continue. :)  A month ago marked the end of my sixth season coaching Girls on the Run. For my first three seasons I was Head Coach for the elementary school girls in the Girls on the Run program in Carmel Valley, and in the last three seasons I was Head Coach for the middle school girls in the Girls on Track Program in Carmel Valley. I love coaching and being with the girls, but as Head Coach I need to be there twice a week for 12 weeks in addition to spending time outside of coaching to prepare and follow up on things. Its a bit tiring and 12 weeks is a long time. Between the time I spend coaching and the time I spend working on Marketing related activities for my Board of Directors role, I think I spend 6-8 hours per week during the season on Girls on the Run. Its manageable when I don't have too much else going on in life, but kind of crazy when other parts of life get busy. As each season ends I'm sad to say goodbye to the girls, but relieved to get a lot of free time back.

Several of the girls this season had been in my group last season as well, and a few had even started out years ago with the Girls on the Run group. It is so much fun to see the girls grow up and become "adults". From drawing on each other and pulling up grass and throwing it at each other to texting and talking about facebook and crushes. Wow, they grow up so fast!

Some of the Girls

 The Girls Being Silly :)

Lesson on Gratitude

Yes, someone wrote "Lady Gaga"

Each season includes 12 weeks of lessons with 4 weeks devoted to "All About Me", 4 weeks to "All About My Team", and 4 weeks to "All About Community". In the teamwork section the girls run a practice 5K, and in the community section the girls come together to do an hour long community project. 

Community Project Day
Carved Soap and Cards for the Elderly

Practice 5K Day - They Did It!

At the end of our season all of the GOTR sites around San Diego (we had 21 teams this season) come together for a community 5K. I'm blown away by how much the program has grown since I've joined. Three years ago we had 6 teams and piggy backed on an existing 5K. For the past 3 seasons we've put on our own 5K, with our number of sites and community runners growing each time! We're a real race now with real race medals! 

Sparkle & Shine 5K Race Medal

A few days before the race our Executive Director Amy was on the news with her husband to promote the race and the program. On an extra exciting note, they were both wearing Glam Runner tutus!! They purchased these tutus from Tara and I for their Ragnar Relay team Team Tututastic. Amy's husband is an incredible sport and so supportive of the program. He not only wore the tutu (Cammo Cutie style!) during the Ragnar Relay, he also wore the tutu on the news, AND during the 5K!   Sparkle Fingers for Trevor!!

Girls on the Run & Glam Runner on the Morning News

(www.glam-runner.com)

Speaking of the Ragnar Relay, here are a few photos of Team Tututastic from that race in April. Together the team raised over $3000 for Girls on the Run San Diego!

Ragnar Relay Team Tututastic

Back to the Sparkle & Shine 5K -  this season our race was held on Mother's Day. We tried to make the race extra special for the mothers and girls, and from our turnout I think we put on an amazing race!

Glam Runner was a Mile Marker Sponsor and Vendor

Working on Tutu-ing Up More Runners

Showing off Pipe cleaner Flower Ring Bling

Carmel Valley Girls on Track Team

Carmel Valley Glam Runner Coaches

Gotta Love Any Excuse to Cheer With Signs

Playing with Bubble Machines is Fun Too!

Hurrah! We Did It! Another Successful Race!

After the race a large group of us headed to a place nearby for brunch to relax and celebrate  all of our hard work. Looking back, I still can't believe we did this! We went from 80 girls to almost 300. We grew from 6 teams in San Diego to 21, with 25 planned for next season. Girls on the Run is a really amazing program that has totally changed my life. I've seen life through a new set of eyes by getting to work with these girls, I've been able to come together with a team of amazing women to put on a great season and race, and I've made a lot of friends through coaching. I love you Girls on the Run!

And now, my obligatory plug - If you are interested in coaching or volunteering in another capacity here in San Diego you can sign up here. For those of you outside of San Diego you can look for a local chapter here.