Project Link

Oluwatosin Efunkoya

April 26, 2013

Project Link

4840   

Girls on the Run 5k

Girls on the Run are learning program for 8 to 13 year-old girls. They teach the girls life skills through dynamic, conversation based lessons and running games. The program involves the girls with being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a 5k running event. The goal for this program is to help them with confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness, and for them to also know that they can do whatever they want to do in life. On the Girls on the Run 5k website it states that “Meeting twice a week in small teams of 8-15 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, conversation-based lessons and running games. The 24-lesson curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.” (http://www.girlsontherun.org/Who-We-Are). I find that very interesting because it is something that you dedicate your time to come in twice a week to learn about many different things that would help the girls to continue to build their confidence. On the website it states what running means to the program “Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. At each season's conclusion, the girls and their running buddies, complete a 5k running event.”

Coming in the YMCA building I was amazed that they had this in a small town I thought it was only located in Chicago. I never thought that I would reminisce on how I use to be in YMCA at that age 8-13; it brought back lots of memories. I went into the building at 7:25am we were directed to go into the main gym room. They had breakfast provided for us, we signed in and was giving supplies that I would use during the race, they gave us about 30 minutes to eat and prepare, we were also giving t-shirts that we all had to were during the whole day. It was a lot of money put into this event and families and friend were there to support the girls. Families and friends were also allowed to race as well and it was a fee to race. Mother’s and father’s  raced with their girls right by their side and motivated them even more to see that their mother and father can also achieve this goal as well. I can see lot of happiness in the girls face as they come to the finish line. I saw many girls that finished before the other go back in the race to motivate those that wanted to give up. Before the race the girls made things that they would be able to wear during the race that can be of support for them, which I thought was very good because you had all types of different ages that were in the race and anything to give them the power was good.

I waited at the end of the finish line and cheered all the girls on as they finish their accomplishment. I was very grateful to be apart off this program. At the end when everyone was done they gave the girls gold metals and congratulated them with the accomplishment, after they received there gold metals they were given fruits and water, and the family can stay because they had dancing, music and many other activities for the girls and their family. This program was well organized and put together, there were no injuries or accidents and everything went well as planned. Beth Gillespie was the Council Director for Girls on the Run East Central Illinois the Mattoon YMCA, she was a very busy lady but she made sure that everybody was satisfied and the girls accomplished everything. I would do this again and encourage every young girl to participate in this event.  Learn. Dream. Live. Run.