This Sunday I had the pleasure of participating in the Girls on the Run 5K in Woodstock. The weather could not have been more perfect. The sun shone down on more than 3,000 people gathered at Woodstock North High School on Sunday morning. More than 1,200 of those people were 3rd-5th grade girls who had spent the last 10 weeks training with their own school's Girls on the Run club. While I think it's totally cool that these girls have spent the last 10 weeks training to physically run that morning's 5K, they've also spent that much time working on their inner girl. The program explores topics like making healthy choices, learning to stand up for themselves and the importance of giving back to the community.
When I walked onto the front lawn of the high school that morning, I was greeted by sparkles and colors and a lot of energy for 7:45 AM! The energy was palpable and you couldn't help but be excited for the girls! I found the girls from my two schools that I work at and was approached with squeals and hugs.
When I walked onto the front lawn of the high school that morning, I was greeted by sparkles and colors and a lot of energy for 7:45 AM! The energy was palpable and you couldn't help but be excited for the girls! I found the girls from my two schools that I work at and was approached with squeals and hugs.
Soon it was time to line up. It's take a while for 3000 people to line up. What happens next is my favorite. One of the GOTR directors gets hoisted above the entire crowd in a cherry picker and gives the crowd a pep-talk. I wish the following things had been said to 10 year old Amanda: Sometimes things happen and we can get busy and tired and frustrated. And we just have to take that dirty, negative cord and unplug it from our being. Next to that cord is a beautiful, shiny, sparkly positive cord that will pump you full of positive thoughts and feelings. This is the cord that says, "You can do this! You got this! You don't have to change for anyone!"
With that, the race started. I tried to start in the middle of the crowd so that I would hopefully see some of my students during the race. While I didn't see any during the race, I was constantly moved with all sorts of great feels seeing the girls around me running and trying and pushing themselves. I heard buddies encouraging their girls. I did not hear one buddy get frustrated or exasperated. I heard other girls encouraging each other. I saw some girls slow down and fall behind me only to rush right past me at record pace towards the finish line. This race is the best. I hope I can always be a part of it. Thank you The Running Depot for sponsoring me with this race!
So do you know who has two thumbs, a new 50K magnet for her car and has just signed up for a 50 MILE race?
Oh...my...gosh...what did I do? I'll tell you how the training for the Hennepin 50 is going next time. Espirit de She triathlon is first on June 12! **sigh** I have GOT to get back into the pool!
Have a wonderful week, friends! Thanks for reading!
Have a wonderful week, friends! Thanks for reading!