Potential

Wow, what an amazing couple of months we've had at Girls on the Run of Jackson County. Things are really moving forward, and that can seem really scarey.

I remember after I first began inquiring about GOTR, asking national LOTS of questions. Bombarding them with e-mails. I wanted to be sure that this was something worth doing, something that was going to change lives. One morning, I was still on the fence, I still hadn't commited to filling out the application, but was seriously considering it, and then I freaked, for just a split second. "UH OH, what am I getting myself into?"

When I was in 5th grade, I tried out for the 6th grade singing group. This was a very big deal, and considering that I'm tone deaf, the chances were pretty slim that I'd actually make it. And there I was one morning thinking about what the day would bring - would I make the singing group or not. And in that moment I was thinking about what I might have gotten myself into. Live performances throughout the city - YIKES!!

It's funny to me how I can pin point many moments like that in my life. Those times when I took the risk, and then for a brief second thought, "Was that a mistake?" The thing I've learned about those moments are that they're just my fear. They're not really the truth. The truth is in doing those risks, I'm getting ready to experience great things.

As a kid, my mom used to tell me, you have a lot of potential, and even into my 20's my mom was still telling me that. "When you realize all of your potential, look out world." I read a book once that talked about that. When you're a kid, it's a compliment when someone tells you they see potential in you, but once you're an adult, you should be realizing that potential.

It's in those moments of self-doubt where I experience my potential becoming a reality. I have a choice at that time, STOP, or keep going. I'm sure there are lots of times I've stopped, but I have to say, the only ones I remember are the ones where I keep going. The 6th grade singing group, going to college, teaching second grade, getting fit, and bringing Girls on the Run to Jackson County. All of those things seemed overwhelming to me, all of those things seemed so far out of my reach and beyond what I was capable of, and yet all of those things I accomplished.

Did I have my doubts along the way? You bet. Was it hard? Definitely. But was it worth it? Without a doubt. I wouldn't change any of it. We're on the brink of big things with GOTR. We're looking at 4-5 sites in the inner-city alone next spring. We're making new connections and networking everyday. Does it scare me? Only for a moment. That one moment where I think, "Do I really want to do this? Can I handle the growth?" My answer, "YOU BET!!! Bring it on!"

Spring 09

This is the season that will forever mark the tipping point (the culmination of a build-up of small changes that effects a big change)  for Girls on the Run of Jackson County. 

10 Small changes as I see them: 

1. Began a relationship with Paradise Park in Lee's Summit.

2. Had our first site in KC, MO 

3. Had our first site in LS, MO

4. Key People stepped up to help lead GOTR

5. I made a commitment to make GOTR my career - volunteer or not, it's what I do.

6. Began building relationships with other non-profit pro women organizations in KC - WIN KC and KC Express

7. Team Tiara changed to Sole Mates 

8. FACEBOOK 

9. TWITTER

10. Lee's Summit School District partnered with Paradise Park for the 5K.

In and of themselves, these 10 things may not have amounted to much, but put them together this spring, and suddenly, our little grass root program has started to bloom.  Each small change has led to more changes and more exposure for GOTR.  

My vision (this is the big change part of the tipping point)  for Girls on the Run of Jackson County is that we saturate this community.  That thousands of girls are doing the program every season.  That parents, teachers, and community leaders continue to embrace the program and realize the effect it will  have on society for years to come.  

So, how do we get there?  Well, we start with this tipping point, with this momentum, and we continue to build it and watch it explode!!!! 

May 14 Practice 5K

As stated in a previous entry, the practice 5K is my favorite part of the season.  For many of these girls, it's the first time they've completed the 3.1 mile distance, and selfishly, I get to enjoy that with them.  The community 5K is great, but I'm usually running around making sure it's going smoothly, and while I enjoy the feel of it, the practice 5K is much more personal.

Thursday night was no exception.  Because the Lee's Summit and  Raytown site have 16 girls between them, we decided to combine the sites for the 5K.  We also decided that since we've run the 3.1 in Raytown before we'd bring all the girls together there and head down Blue Ridge - it's a flat stretch of road that travels through Raytown.

As the girls showed up, Julia, the Raytown coach, took charge.  She introduced all the girls to  each other and began warming them up.  As I watched, I was so  impressed with how she made the girls feel comfortable and encouraged them.  "You can do this, no problem."

At 6:15 off we went.  I got the privilege of running with different girls throughout the entire 5K.  First I got to run with Asya. We talked about how she was liking GOTR and what she was learning.  As we were running a couple of other girls joined us, so we ran and chatted.  Some would fall back and others would catch up.  As we passed the second light, I said, "We're almost half way there."  The girls couldn't believe it.  "Really? That didn't take very long."

Once we saw the water station, we knew it was the half way mark.  Several girls were already there pouring water over their heads. AWESOME!!!! Brooke and Emily, two GOTR board members were manning the station, encouraging the girls and taking pictures.

After a quick break, we were off again.  This time I was running with Rachel.  She could walk as fast as I was running.  She said, "I like going with you." As I was thinking what a nice compliment that was she added, "I don't like being pushed." So I picked up the pace.

About that time another board member was heading toward us, and Lulu, who was running with us at this time, said, "SARAH!!!"  Sarah then began running with Lulu.  Throughout the rest of the run I could hear Sarah saying, "Pump your arms, it will help."  And, "Come on, Lulu, you're doing great!"

Throughout the 5K Julia had been running up and down the road encouraging all of the girls.  The Lee's Summit coach, Michelle had stayed at the back to encourage the tail of our runners, and April, the assistant coach had run with girls helping them to pace.

As we got closer to the finish line, Brooke and Emily had loaded up the water station and returned to the finish/start line.  They were there cheering and taking more pictures.  By this time, Rachel, who I was running with was pretty spent.  "She's taking pictures, this is your moment!"  I told her.  And so she ran.  As she came across the finish line, Aimee, another board member, and the rest of the girls were cheering her on!  Again, this is my favorite part of the season, getting to share that accomplishment with the girls and watching the rest of the girls supporting each other.

We waited for the rest of the girls to finish, and  Julia headed back down the road to find them. She was yelling and cheering for them as she ran.  And as the girls crossed the finish line, the excitement in their eyes was AMAZING!!!

Two things I will take away from this experience:

1.  What a remarkable group of volunteers GOTR of Jackson County has.  I am so blessed to have their energy and commitment to this program!

2. I never get tired of experiencing the girls' first 5K with them.  It is such an honor for me!

Happy Mother's Day

I am so blessed by what God has given me.  Sometimes, (who am I kidding?) most of the time, I don't see it or appreciate it.  So, since I am up at 5:26 this morning, I thought I might make a list of some of  my blessings, which is really turning into the greatest things about my kids.  Well, it's nearly Mother's Day, time for me to love on my babies.  

I have three healthy beautiful children who care about each other.  The little ones won't sleep unless they're in the same bed.  They play Yahtzee together, watch tv together and root for each other.

Gracen, my oldest, is a responsible, mature 8 year old who excells in spelling (something her  mama struggled with and still does.)  She's learning to take chances and that it's OK if things don't turn out the way she thinks they should.  (Another lesson I need to learn.) She has lots of friends and really gets along with pretty much everyone.  She's the peace maker, and she's also the helper.  She loves fashion and all things Hannah Montana.  Of all my kids, she is most like me.  

Jadon, my son. . .there's just something so special, so unwritten, and so unexplainable about the relationship between a mother and her son.  When I first found out I was pregnant with Jadon, he was not developing as expected.  I prayed and prayed over that boy, and God saved him.  I know God has great plans for him.  He's athletic, funny, witty, and oh so sensitive.  He loves dancing around the house and playing with his little sister.  He is growing into a strong, self-assured boy.  

And then there's Abby, my baby.  She loves animals, loves to laugh, loves to play.  She's imaginative and loves stories.  She's a trooper, will ride a bike that's attached to mine throughout town.  She's clever, loves to play jokes on me. One morning I went to get the coffee out of the pantry only to find that she'd exchanged my coffee container for the play coffee container on the toy shelf. Being the third child, she gets the most mommy time, and together we get to have lots of adventures just the two of us.

I am really looking forward to school being out this year so we can hang out all day.  We'll spend time at the pool, and maybe take a trip or two - St. Louis maybe Toledo.  My kids are great travelers.  Last October I drove them to Florida.  It was three days coming and going.  They handled it better than I did, and we didn't even have a DVD player for them to watch. We spent countless hours playing "I'm going on a Trip."  We drove through Memphis and wondered if we'd see Miley Cyrus.  We counted lanes of traffic coming into Atlanta.  And then we hung out in Florida with my parents.  It was a grand adventure, and I can't think of anyone I would have rather done it with.

Yes, I am definitly blessed.  I have the three best kids on the planet, and I get the privilege of being their mother for their whole lives.  Happy Mother's day!!

Boys run too

For the  last 2 1/2 years my life has pretty much been about GIRLS on the Run.  My 8 year old who will finally be in 3rd grade next year has watched day after day while her mother has dedicated so much time to this organization.  She is ready to start in the fall for sure!!!

But today was not about GIRLS on the Run.  It was about my son.  He's six and has never known a time before GOTR crashed into our lives.  He's watched his big sister complete two 5K's while he's had to stand at the finish line.  

A week ago I told the little ones that we were going to be doing a 5K with Char Char (grandma).  He was very apprehensive, but I assured him that he would sit in the stroller while I pushed, Abby, my 4 year old would be pushed by Char Char. Then, last night at dinner, he announces, "Daddy, I'm going to run a 5K tomorrow."  I said, "Well, you're going to sit in the stroller."  "No, Mommy, I want to run.  I can do it."  

At 6:30 am he comes running into my room and grabs his clothes.  He gets dressed and is ready to go.  We picked up Char Char and her stroller for Abby and headed to race day.  When we got there his mood quickly changed from excited to scared to death.  "How far is it again?"  "3.1 miles, but you're a strong boy, you can do it."  "Well, if I get tired can you push me?"  "Son, I'm not taking the stroller. We didn't bring it."  "Oh."  And so we stood, quietly. 

At 8:00 am the race started with the horn blow, and off we went.  About 100 feet in, he said, "are we almost done?"  Oh boy, this is going to be interesting.  "No son, we just started.  We'll stay slow, we'll walk when we need to, it's going to be great."  As we ran next to the railroad track an actual train passed us coming the other way.  "Wasn't that cool?"  "No, Mom, that was LOUD."  But he ran.

We got to the first water station, and with his water he said, "Ahhh, that's better" and he took off running so fast. "Don't look back son, keep going forward."  At about the half way point he was done.  He'd given his all, and was tired.  We took off his gloves and sweatshirt which helped him feel better and off we went again.  We'd run to one mailbox then walk to the next.  Walk, run, walk, run we went for awhile.  Then we saw a second water station - GLORIOUS!!!  The volunteers were cheering, and he got a second wind.  He ran as fast as he could to get that water.  

Then up a small hill was someone taking pics and he ran faster.  Once we passed the photographer though we needed to walk. "OK son, we'll walk to the turn."  At the turn we were told we could see the finish line.  He got another energy burst, but it was short lived as the finish line wasn't actually right there.  By that time, we were holding hands and putting one foot in front of the other.  "Come on son, you're strong, I'm so proud of you" became my montra.  

Suddenly the girl ahead of us squealed, "I can see the finish line!"  So we started running a little faster, I said, "I can too, there it is!"  At the same time, we could hear the crowd cheering for people as they crossed the line.  We were definitly going to make it.  The closer we got the faster Jadon ran until the last 10 feet when he dropped my hand and took off at a full sprint.  The crowd was roaring and he felt so amazing. As a mom, I watched with such pride as my son had his moment.  His empowerment, his time of accomplishment.  It was truly remarkable, and I am so proud of my boy!

Blue Springs Practice 5K

Last night I had the privilege to run with the Blue Springs girls during their practice five 5K.  For me, this is probably my favorite part of the season.   The practice 5K, unlike the community 5, is small and intimate allowing me to really see each of these girls.  I really get to the know them, talk to them while we run, encourage them, and just hang out.  This particular 5K was held at a park, and the girls ran around the trail 8 times to complete 3.1 miles.  Here's the thing though, April and May in Missouri are guarenteed to be rainy, wet, chilly, HOT, unpredictable and messy!!!  Since Monday we've had rain, huge crazy thunderstorms with daunting clouds have filled the sky, and last night was no different.  But the girls were jazzed and ready to run.  

I managed to get lost and arrived just as the girls were heading out.  As I came over to the start, I could tell that some of these girls had "fallen" in the mud.  I could also see that the paved trail was COVERED in standing water and mud in some parts.  We were going to get dirty, but these girls have been working hard, and they were ready to go.

So we ran.  

Here are some of my thoughts and observations about the run - pretty random, but bare with me.  There was a dad who came out to run with his daughter.  I watched them run and talk and dad encouraging her.  I love that, watching a dad take an active role in his daughter's life.  Running with her, even if he's not a runner or hasn't run.  Although, this dad had one of those forerunners, so I'm pretty sure he was a runner, but still, to come out and run with your eight year old - way to go dad!

As each girl came across the finish line, Devon, the coach, and another parent put a streamer out so the girl could run through it.  Watching the girls cross that finish line and breaking the streamer was awesome.  This was their moment.  For most of these girls this was the furthest they'd ever gone 3.1 miles, and when they crossed that finish line it was all about them, about their accomplishment, their overcoming something some of them did not believe they could do.  And yet, every one of those girls crossed that line.  WOW!!!

I think the 5K is a lot  like life.  It seems so overwhelming at first, but as one of the girls kept saying as we were running, "baby steps."  Just put one foot in front of the other and move forward.  That's what these girls did last night, even with the daunting, crazy clouds, the rain drops, and the mud, they put one foot in front of the other and moved forward until they finished STRONG!