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| "But I Don't Like to Run!" By: Deepti Dhir “Girls on the Run”- Your eye immediately goes to the three-letter word tailing the title of a club that you are now hesitant to join. Running? You imagine a faster heart rate, a quicker pulse, sweat, heavy breathing, and plain exhaustion. Why not stay home and play scrabble? Think again. You do not need to be a four-time cross-country winner or even be remotely enthused about speeding down a track to take part in this group. “Running is just the vehicle that leads to a host of other great things,” says Alannah DiBona, a lead coach and counsel director for Girls on the Run in the Greater Boston Area. Groups of girls ages eight to twelve gather together all over the country twice a week in the fall and spring for Girls on the Run, learning, as DiBona explains, about physical, emotional and social health, as well as community. “It gives girls tools to grow and remain strong through adolescence, and preserves their individuality and authenticity,” she adds. A second program under the umbrella of Girls on the Run International is Girls on Track that involves girls between thirteen and fifteen. Practices for Girls on the Run center on subjects from nutrition and self- esteem to gossip, each presented through the help of games. Ten-year old Grace West, having taken part several times in Girls on the Run, says, “The games were my favorite part. They taught me about trustworthiness, to be honest and respectful, about bullying, when to take action, when to help out the person being bullied.” Called the “whole person program,” Girls on the Run leaves young girls with a sense of personal strength. “I learned that I had a little bit more potential in me than I thought. It helped me in soccer and jump roping and piano. It makes you feel a lot more self- confident,” says ten-year-old Grace. DiBona seconds this feeling saying “girls finish the program believing in themselves, which is so new to a lot of them.” It is not only the youngsters who have much to take away from the program. Emily Long, who began working with the organization her sophomore year of college, since having taken on the roles of Assistant and Lead Coach, says, “I have always been afraid of public speaking. And eight and nine year olds can be more intimidating than adults.” But Long saw changes after spending more time with Girls on the Run. “My leadership and confidence is a lot greater. I want to lead the lessons and influence the girls.” A community of women coming together is another feature of the Girls on the Run that Long emphasizes. And this is never more evident than in the 5K (3.1 miles) run that is built up to in the twelve weeks of Girls on the Run. As Long explains, a mother, sister, teacher or friend turns into “a running buddy,” accompanying girls through a 5K run that is competition free. Grace describes what happened to her during a practice 5K run, “At first I was really scared and got nervous. Another girl told me the 5K was nothing but another race. That same girl ran the race with me.” Grace then used her experience to later give a boost to others who felt anxious in her situation, happy to see the chain of support continue to make its way through Girls on the Run. We try and engage ourselves in activities like sports that break our school routine and double as physical education. But here is an organization that gives you some of that and much more. Community, confidence, health…who knew running came in such a complete package? Rethinking that scrabble game yet? To learn more about Girls on the Run, go to www. girlsontherun.org where you can also contact a local chapter near you. |
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