The Hardest Step - Allison Butler

Supposedly, in running, the hardest step to take is the first one out the door. This is advice that several people have encouraged me with over the years when it comes to running.

Personally, I have never found this to be true. I ran cross country my senior year of high school, and I enjoy running (slowly) for exercise. Usually, I find myself to be excited for going on a run. Sometimes, a run sounds like the most rejuvenating, wonderful thing I could do on a Saturday morning and I actually look forward to it! A few minutes into the run, however, is a different story. Running is hard. It's tiring, time consuming, and frustrating. So, why do I do it? I, below average in pace and usually completely unprepared for the amount of miles I am attempting, do not seem like someone who would enjoy running. But, I do. Running is rewarding. It produces results. It develops persistence and strength.
So, what does all this running talk to have to do with Girls on the Run? Well, Girls on the Run is my service organization for this fall. They are a wonderful organization dedicated to building confidence in young girls through running. Since 1996, they have been creatively empowering young women through the simple concept of lesson plans and running games after school. This organization radiates joy and I could not be more excited to work with them!

Just like when going for a jog, the first step in a process like this is actually the easiest for me. The hard parts are coming. It's the actual going and doing that's the hard part. The making time, the being energetic when you're not feeling energetic, and the dealing with situations unknown to you yet. This, however, this is where the growth happens. This is what will pay for the reward at the end. There is so much potential in this project! As always through service, there will be so many opportunities to love and be loved and to change and be changed. I cannot wait to say yes to as many of these opportunities as I can!

Girls on the Run: Kylie's Initial Reflection

"Who run the world? Girls!" -Beyonce

Once again, Beyonce could not be more right - and now, thanks to my CIS 112 class, I get the opportunity to help.  This year, I will be working with Girls on the Run (GOTR) at Seton Catholic School.  Aimed specifically for girls in third through eighth grades, GOTR focuses on encouraging confidence, self-discovery, and healthy lifestyles through the integration of running.  They "envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams."  I have been reflecting on this for many days now, and I have grown to love the mission of this organization.  Every girl deserves to know she is valuable.  If there is one thing I want to do over the course of this service learning project, it's make it clear to these young girls that they are capable of anything they set their minds to. 

The first few weeks are spent discussing beliefs, challenges, and values with the girls.  The program creatively incorporates running, strength, and conditioning activities to physically and emotionally help the participants.  Throughout the course of GOTR, girls of all ages find things they love about themselves and the confidence they need to persevere.  At the end, they showcase their success in a Girls on the Run 5k, which acts as the final step to the program to give the girls a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

Specifically, I will be a "running buddy" for the girls.  Each day begins with a short lesson, and my group gets the chance to teach some of these lessons to the girls.  We will be initiating discussions, conducting activities, and then leading stretches and an exercise warm-up. Then, we will run with the girls and encourage them to keep going. Although we have not been able to go to Seton yet because we must complete a Virtus training next week, I am ecstatic to go in October.  I can't wait to get started!

I was excited to work with GOTR because my neighbor participated when she was in sixth grade, and she always had wonderful things to say about what she was learning. She always came home thrilled to tell me what she had just discussed or the new stretches she had learned.  I am a cross country runner myself, so this will be a perfect opportunity to combine my passion for working with children with my passion for running.  I love advocating exercise and healthy living, and this will allow me to be a support system to girls who may need someone to look up to. 

Perhaps the most rewarding moment of all will be on the GOTR 5k race day, when I will be finishing the race alongside girls who I have watched grow each week; they'll be able to give me their biggest, proudest smile and say, "I did it!" 

 

Getting Started with Girls on the Run

From GOTR Facebook Page

Girls on the Run Central Kentucky (GOTR) is an organization that is dedicated to giving girls confidence, by teaching them that they can do whatever it is they set their minds to. GOTR’s mission is so simple, yet so elaborate and rewarding. They believe: "every girl can embrace who she is, can define who she wants to be, can rise to any challenge, can change the world."

Teaching self-confidence at a young age is so important. Being a girl is sometimes difficult. A lot of the time, we are told we can’t do things or that we don’t deserve to do them. I struggle with self-confidence now; I always have. I know how hard it is, and working with this amazing organization will no-doubt help me to grow...as I help other young girls grow. Knowing that I can help a young girl in some way will be such a rewarding experience for me.

From GOTR Facebook Page 

At GOTR, we will be working with 3rd to 8th graders at Seton Catholic School. One of the things I am most excited about is building relationships with the girls we are working with. At each meeting, we give prepared lessons and help them exercise in fun ways--eventually leading up to a full 5K. Throughout high school, I did a lot of service. I worked at the food bank and at a daycare for low-income families. Meeting people and getting to know them made service meaningful and powerful.

Last week, my group and I were supposed to start with GOTR. We went to a short orientation meeting beforehand and expected to start the following Wednesday. However, that morning we were all notified that we would have to get Virtus training before we began because we would be at a Catholic school. I was disappointed but I understand why they think this training is so crucial.

From GOTR Facebook Page

GOTR began in 1996 in North Carolina  and since then has spread throughout the nation. They have over 200 locations. I’m from Chicago, and I know that GOTR has a program there too. It’s amazing how far and wide their message is spread, and I am truly honored to be able to work them

Training for my Run - Initial Reflection

Training for my Run 

with GOTR

Sometimes you just have a good feeling about something.  I have a great feeling about Girls on the Run Central Kentucky (GOTR for short).  When we received the email Monday morning saying that we could not start our service until October, I was surprised by how disappointed I was.  We were initially scheduled to start our service last Monday, but we were notified the morning of that our specific school, Seton Catholic School, required additional training we had not yet completed.  The next training session that fits into my schedule is not until September 29th.  Although this is a disappointment, it gives me more time to reflect on what this organization is all about before I begin to work with the bright young girls participating in it.  My run with GOTR is already beginning.

Photo found on Twitter: @GOTRI 

Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization that works with girls ranging from 3rd to 8th grade. Their mission is one that I hope and strive to reflect with my work. Their mission is “to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.”  Through the program the girls are trained for a 5K and given lessons on being independent thinkers, problem solvers, and healthy individuals – but why running?  I questioned this myself.  Going through the GOTR website, the reason became clear to me.  Running is used to “inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment.”

Photo found on Twitter: @GOTRI 

 Girls on the Run is an international organization that reaches out to 200+ locations that each hold the same mission and dedication to making these young girls the best they can possibly be.  This organization excites me.  It’s far reach and positive impact on young girls are things that I want to be a part of.  Once I begin my work, I will be serving as a “running buddy”.  I will exercise with the girls and help lead a lesson at each meeting.  The lessons range from positive thinking to respect for others to goal setting and achieving.  These are important lessons for girls of all ages, both theirs and mine.  Growing up as a girl can be tough.  It’s not always easy to believe in yourself at that age or at any.  I’d like to make a positive impact on the girls lives, rather it be as a role model or just someone that brightened their day. I hope to learn more about each girl individually.  Just their participation in the program, I know they are girls who are driven and want the best life they can have even if it is not easy for them.  I am excited to see where this run, this journey, takes me.