Girl on the Run...for Girls on the Run!

When we first moved to Michigan nearly three years ago, I reached out to our local Girls on the Run council about volunteering in their office as something to do with my free time (since people who are unemployed have a bit of free time). Some of the ladies I ran Hope Express with had been involved with GOTR in their area, and it sounded like a worthwhile organization to get involved with. They have councils throughout the country - I encourage you to check them out in your area. 

I love the mission of GOTR - to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident through the use of a curriculum that integrates running - and I feel personally connected to it, because of the impact running has had on me. At the end of each program season, the girls participate in a 5k, a culmination and celebration of their hard work throughout the last 10 weeks. The girls participate in the 5k, along with their families and other community members. Volunteering at the event is awesome, and if I can attempt to find words to really capture the most recent 5k, I will (eventually!) post about it.  I seriously get excited just thinking about young girls having this opportunity at an early age, at an age where what they learn from their experience with GOTR can have an impact on the rest of their lives.

Over the past few years, I've gotten to know the incredible staff at our council (Southeastern Michigan, serving five counties in the area), and have been inspired by their commitment and embodiment of this program. This past spring, I worked on the 5k Planning Committee, and it really helped to fill a niche in my life, getting to plan, collaborate, and organize logistics, all for a cause I feel connected to. Still, it seemed to just increase my desire to get move involved. While I do hope to be a coach down the line, becoming a SoleMate became increasingly important to me. Being a SoleMate means committing to raising money for the GOTR scholarship fund, while training for a race...which means I'm running a race!


I am officially signed up for my fifth half-marathon, the Detroit Women's Half on Belle Isle in Detroit, taking place on September 21. It seems perfect to be running this race, a celebration of women, in support of GOTR. It's been almost two years since I've trained for a half, so I have some high expectations and hopes, both in terms of running and fundraising, but more than anything, I'm excited to have a purpose to run and a way to support this wonderful organization. 

To learn more and/or to donate, please visit my donation page and help me to reach my goal of donating $1,130.18 to the GOTR scholarship page. This fund helps ensure every girl has the opportunity to participate in GOTR. Be sure to check back for training updates, race info, and to learn more about GOTR!