Girls on the Run
A majority of families with young school children have both parents working outside the home, and single parents often hold two part-time jobs to make ends meet. During the day, children are in school, but what happens to them after 3pm? Many youngsters meet for sports such as soccer or baseball with organized practices and games. Research shows, however, that in the past girls often felt left out; they hadn’t grown up with soccer or baseball as the others had, and felt they were at a disadvantage on the playing field. Many sports require special (costly) equipment, a skilled coach, and the use of a park or playground. The girls in this age group were vulnerable, defeated before even trying, and had a negative self-image.
Girls-on-the-Run (GOTR) began in 1996 in North Carolina by Molly Barker. There are now 225 councils across the U. S. and Canada. Each council is locally independent and is responsible for its own fundraising. The concept is both simple and effective. After school, girls from third to sixth grade gather with their volunteer coach and learn to run. Yes, just run. There is a technique to running safely and enjoying the experience. Each girl progresses at her own pace. Some begin as only walkers, and there is no competition factor. All they need is a pair of sneakers and comfortable shorts and the desire to join their friends for an hour and a half of fun.
Megan Wolfe is executive director of Snohomish County GOTR, which includes the Edmonds school district. She is very excited about bringing GOTR to all our elementary schools, public and private. When asked why this program is geared for girls between 8 and 13 years old, she explained that current research shows that this is the age when girls begin to worry about popularity and self-image, and harnessing and developing positive feelings is essential when they are still receptive to adult advice and mentoring. Preteen girls have issues that are quite different from the boys of this age. They are anxious to be popular and appear slim. Worry about self-image can lead to depression and can confirm their belief that girls don’t do well in sports. These negatives can all be refuted with a commitment to the simple activity of just running. Some gals are already familiar with running from their family or track at school. For others, it is their first exposure to organized sports of any kind.
The GOTR course is offered in the spring and fall and consists of 24 sessions, 90 minutes in length two times per week. When the girls arrive, they are greeted by their coach and offered some healthy snacks, age-appropriate discussions are always on tap, and then the girls do some stretching and warm-ups to help prevent injury. Although the long-term goal is to run a 5K, the girls build teamwork skills and valuable friendships along the way. Those that begin as walkers often become runners by the end of the session. Participating in a 5K run at the end of the 10-week session is a goal, where crossing the finish line is the personal accomplishment, not who places first or second.
The mission statement of GOTR is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident to meet life’s experiences. They will learn problem-solving skills, how to assert themselves positively and gain a healthy lifestyle. Using physical activity, like running, helps build fitness and forms healthy habits for a lifetime. They are encouraged to respond to others with care and compassion and positively interact with peers and adults. And, finally, they recognize an inner strength and are eager to make their own meaningful contributions to community and society.
By now, I hope you are excited to know how you can help this great organization. You don’t need to be a runner yourself or even have a daughter between 8 and 13 years old.
Coaches receive training to understand the concepts of this age group and learn communication and motivation techniques. There is one coach for each three girls. If you are a runner, you can be a running buddy to one of the girls at a practice meet. This is a lot of fun for you both. If you have the desire but not the time, enthusiastic adults are needed on race day to check-in runners, hand out water, and cheer for one and all as they cross the finish line. Of course a financial donation is always welcomed because it means GOTR can offer a scholarship to girls that find the membership fee of $165 a strain on family resources. That $165 covers snacks at each practice and an entry fee into the 5K at the end of the course. There is no equipment cost; staff can secure good running shoes for girls new to the sport.
Whichever way you can help, Wolfe assures me it is a win-win for you and these vulnerable girls.
“Girls on the Run” is currently being offered through Edmonds Parks and Recreation. You can register at www.girlsontherunsnoco.org. Meetings are Tues/Thurs, 4 to 5:30pm March 1 through May 12 for a cost of $165.
