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!

Make a change. . .

"I'm starting with the man in the mirror

I'm asking him to make a change

and no message could have been any clearer

if you want to make the world a better place

take a look at yourself and make that change."

- Michael Jackson

As I'm running, I'm listening to this song, and I'm thinking, "make that change." What do I want to do to make a change, what will my legacy look like? Then I realize, I've been so blessed with a way to change the world I live in and beyond, I continue to be a part of an organization here in Jackson County that will impact thousands of girls in years to come. Thank you to everyone who's a part of GOTR, who puts their time and and talent into making a change! We want to make the world a better place, and we are doing something about it.

Customer Service

Friday it was pouring down rain when I took the kids to the store for our weekly trip. Lately, I've been shopping at the new Hy-Vee. It's close to my house and it's new, what's not to like?

When I finished shopping, I went to get in line and realized I forgot the KoolAid Jammers. Becuase the kids are home, KoolAid Jammers have become a huge time saver for me, grab a bag and you're good to go - take them to to the pool, use them at meals, gotta have them! Anyway, I'm standing there, trying to decide what I should do, skip the Jammers or go try to find them. At that exact moment, an employee says, "What are you looking for?" I tell her, she says, "What flavors would you like?" "Uh. . . red and purple." Off she goes, returning with a box of each, and telling me they are in aisle two with the juice. YEAH!!!!!

While the KoolAid experience impressed me, nothing prepared me for what was about to happen. The kids and I finish checking out and head to the car. As we leave the store, several more employees including the store general manager are standing outside, "Can we walk you to your car?" They ask with umbrellas in their hands. WOW!!! Talk about customer service and anticipating your shoppers needs.

I didn't take them up on the walk to the car, we were pretty close, and it's only water, but the scene has stuck with me. So much so, that I'm taking part of the morning to write about it, and I will probably continue to tell this story to anyone who asks me what I think of the new Hy-Vee.

Training for my half

So, last year I completed my first half marathon. We were in a bit of an odd place trying to get the studio open, and not having a gym membership, the only training I did was a long run once a week and maybe another short run throughout the week. NOT GOOD!!!

This year I am comminting to again complete the Waddell and Reed Kansas City Half Marathon. However, my goals and ambitions are much higher. Here are my commitments between now and October 17th.

1. Cut 20 pounds - taking off the weight will help me feel better, save me from injuries and make me lighter which will make it easier to run.

2. Run 3 days a week every week.

3. Work out 6 days a week every week.

4 Eat breakfast EVERY day.

5. Train with friends.

These five things will help prepare my body for the 13.1 mile run. My goal for race day is to go from a 12:43 mile to a 10:00 mile.

Who wants to join me?

"I am strong. . .I am an athlete."

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!!!!