All Done!

It's done and I'm done. Girls on the Run (GOTR) Fall 2011. The culmination of 12 weeks of training for 14 girls ended yesterday with the Reindeer Romp 5K. All but two of the girls completed the 5K with ecstatic smiles. Unfortunately, one girl ended up being out-of-town and another was plagued by asthma. But the latter was out there, in full force of support, and handing out medals to her fellow GOTR-mates.

It's been a great season and I love hanging out with these girls. They are funny, sweet, deep, beautiful, confident, and now, 5K runners. I met new people, including parents, who I normally like to avoid. And it ends up that I actually liked them. I enjoyed working with my fellow coaches too. And having MiMi part of the program *with me*.

"GOTR" spelled out

But I certainly didn't enjoy the stress of trying to make these meetings, twice a week for twelve weeks. It hasn't been easy to put a hard stop on at work and get out to our practice by 4:15. Once there, life was joyous but it takes a lot out of my day, personally and professionally, to "be there" emotionally and physically.

I would love to do this again. But I won't anytime soon. *Maybe* in the Fall of next year. Maybe. I want a bit more out of the coaching aspect than I had/gave this round. Maybe a different site. This one is too close home. Literally, it's near my home but also, philosophically, I think it would be easier for me to work at a site when I am detached from the place other than via this program.

But it's tough as this provides me with such insight to the young minds...it inspires me and I love inspiring others. Whether I am doing that or not, I'll probably never know, but in my own mind, it feels good for me to do this. I love running and bringing that to this generation is amazing.

And then there's the race. I was so happy to see all of our girls come through the finish. But my last girl? I nearly cried. Well, technically I did cry but I blinked back my tears. This girl worked so hard. And when she ran through the finish, she was giddy, laughing, raising her hands up in the air. It was the perfect ending.

I'll miss these girls and this snapshot of my time with them will just be a fleeting memory for them. I'm glad I could have been a part of it.