Girls on the Run

One of the cool things about being a kid in a city like Portland is the sheer number and wide array of after school programs. My after school program typically consisted of doing the breakfast dishes and watching “Saved by the Bell.” One of the options for elementary school girls here in Ptown is called, “Girls On The Run,” where the girls train to run a 5-K race.

The program was looking for running buddies for the girls, ages 8-11, to help pace and encourage them. Being a runner myself, and believing that physical activity is incredibly important for kids, I signed up to be a running buddy. The time commitment is minimal, only one practice 5-K and then one race in June. Last night was our practice run, where we met our running buddies for the first time. It was raining and freezing cold but you couldn’t help but be affected by all the energy and excitement coming from those 240 girls.

I had the chance to talk to a number of other volunteer running buddies and the amazing thing is that most of them were just like me. There were a handful of teachers volunteering, but for the most part it was female runners volunteering their time and money to run with young girls. Few people had any ties with the schools or the girls, but everyone wanted to be a part of introducing a young girl to the amazingness that is running.

My buddy, Amya, was quite the runner. We ran the first ¾ of a mile without stopping once. We were previously warned to expect a lot of sprinting and walking, which turned out to be quite accurate. Amya like to sprint up the hills, which even this morning still baffles me. At first I was a little worried about what to talk to her about (I was prepared to bring up Justin Bieber if I got desperate), but I needn’t have worried. Amya was very interested in socializing with her friends and when she wasn’t doing that, could carry on a conversation by herself. The hardest part of the run was when she asked me what I did for work. How do you explain investment consulting to a 10-year old? She kept up a running chatter for the three miles and I learned that she is the oldest of five kids, her favorite part of fourth grade is PE, she’s going to sleep over camp this summer and her uncle doesn’t like people or dogs.

Parents, friends and siblings lined the running loop cheering every girl on. Encouragement came not only from the assigned running buddy, but from every other person in the park. Most of the other adult buddies I talked to were all volunteering for the first time, but I doubt it will be the last. Perhaps the most amazing part was the finish. It was enough to bring tears to the eyes of many adults. Watching the girls cross the finish, with cowbells and cheers ringing in the air, and a huge smile across their face was incredibly touching. They were so proud of themselves, and rightly so. Parents of the girls, tearing up themselves, had cameras flashing like crazy.

All that excitement and it was just a practice run! It’ll be exciting to run with the girls for their first real 5-K.