Women are moved too

For so long, I've been focusing on the girls, grow the program, get the girls, change lives. What has FINALLY occured to me is that this program does so much more than effect girls. It also effects the women it touches, the volunteers, the coaches, the moms in a way I didn't realize before. I think women get involved with the program to help encourage girls to live better lives. But what I've seen time and time again is how these women's lives are changed. Yes, we're teaching girls to have a voice, to live life to the fullest, but often, we haven't been doing that ourselves. This progam is about empowerment through running, and what I see wome realizing as they begin their GOTR journey is that they are empowered. They feel like they are changing the world, and you know what, they are, starting with their own.

Run with Katie

Yesterday was probably one of those days that will stay with me the rest of my life. Ever meet someone who embodies the kind of person you want to be? Full of energy and positivity, following her dreams and passion and not letting anyone or anything get in the way?

The only person I'd ever met that inspired me in such a way was Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run, until two nights ago. Katie walked into the studio for the meet and greet with confidence and a huge smile on her face. Once she started talking, her message touched all of us who were there. Then my 8 year old daughter, Gracen, myself, and several board members took her and her mom to dinner. We talked about her run and in all she said, her passion for life and belief in people's goodness were evident.

In all the e-mails we sent and all the other interaction, I never heard one cross, negative word about what she was doing. People asked her about injuries and aches and pains, and she just smiled, "My knees hurt," she said but in a of course they do, I'm running 20 miles a day kind of way. At one point, she said, "I have to make it to San Diego." Simply stated, yet so powerful and so real, said with such conviction. I am going to start applying that kind of positive thinking to my own life.

But the most amazing part of her visit for me was yesterday morning. Gracen and I got up at 5:30 am and set out to meet up with Katie and run with her for a bit. We caught up with her on Highway 31 between St. Joe and Cameron. After the pics, we set off running down the 2-lane country road. Gracen had to go to the bathroom, so Katie's mom took her to a gas station (she's driving the van this week), and Katie and I ran. We talked about silly things, waves (see her blog www.paveyourlane.com), Missouri and Independence history, and music. It wasn't really the conversation though, it was just being around her. Running with someone who was so passionate about her dream that NOTHING has gotten in the way of making it happen. And so we ran.

I have spent lots of time running on treadmills as I am training for the KC half,but after running with her outside yesterday, I think I'm ready, willing, and able to take to the streets. It won't be as fun without someone to run with me (hint hint - ANYONE), but I will have lots to think about, how to make my passion a reality. How to saturate the county with Girls on the Run. How to provide experiences like my run with Katie, to other girls.

Gracen ran about a mile with us yesterday, and when we got home, she told her brother and sister that Katie is her new best friend. Then listening to her reflect on the night before and the run in the morning, I could tell that Gracen was changed too. She is now aware of what a passion is and how anything is possible if you decide you want to do it. That's powerful stuff!