When I got the call that I had been selected as the new Program Manager for Girls on the Run Memphis, the first emotion I felt was excitement. I’ve always had a passion for creativity and childhood development, as well as a deeply ingrained love of sports and recreation. Simply put, this role felt like a dream. You mean to tell me that I get to help impact Memphis-area youth through a program that gives them the foundations for lasting confidence, positive self-image, and healthy relationships through fun activities? Somebody pinch me!
Then, I got nervous.
Like so many of the girls we’re reaching, I too need help boosting my confidence sometimes, and that’s okay. The fact is that at that moment, I felt anxious. Would I be able to measure up? Would I be able to make an impact on these girls? Would we be able to reach a wider audience? Will I be able to achieve my goals? These were all thoughts that ran through my mind prior to accepting the offer. Still, the excitement outweighed my nervousness, and I made the active choice to focus on my abilities and strengths as I accepted my offer.
I grew up thinking that I wasn’t very good at running, so imagine my surprise when I discovered I kind of like it as an adult! I started running consistently on my own a couple years ago, and I even completed a 5K back in Charlotte, North Carolina–the birthplace of the Girls on the Run movement. I had never attended or experienced a GOTR 5K though until April 28th, when Girls on the Run Memphis hosted their Spring Season Celebration at the University of Memphis, and over 500 participants came out to run, walk, or support.
At the Girls on the Run 5K, the energy was electric. The first few GOTR Girls that arrived were so excited to jump into some of the pre-race activities: making friendship bracelets, drawing posters to cheer each other on, writing letters thanking their coaches. They also got to interact with different community partners. Rumble Boxing showed the girls proper boxing form, and AutoZone even showed them how to change their own oil! Honestly, I’m 25 and still don’t know that. As more folks showed up, the green of the U of M Alumni Mall was flooded with a sea of teal. 150 girls across 11 sites showed up to run 3.2 miles with their site teams, and almost that double the number of adults–coaches, parents, and supporters in the community–ran with them.
There were several impactful moments I experienced at the Celebration. I stood at the finish line to give the first few folks who completed the 5K their medals, and I got to see our first girl cross the finish line. The joy that she felt having completed something that monumental beamed out of her. What’s even more–her running buddy who completed the race with her looked so proud. He held her hand as he took her over to grab a treat from the Mempops cart. Another instance that stood out to me was when our last girl crossed the finish line. At other 5K events, the race is competitive. People are so focused on beating each other that they don’t focus on themselves. That’s not what Girls on the Run is about. When our last girl crossed the line, the entire crowd erupted into cheers for her. She was proud of herself, and we were just as proud of her as we were of our first finishers. It doesn’t matter how fast they ran. What matters is that they did. They made a promise to themselves, and they kept it for themselves. Whether it took them twenty minutes or two hours, they did something they set their minds to almost ten weeks ago. That kind of commitment and follow-through is remarkable in all folks, but especially the next generation of strong women who will shape all aspects of the world around them.
After the 5K and the clean-up, I went back to my apartment and took a long nap. Then, I woke up, ate some dinner, and went straight back to sleep. It was a long day, but the kind of long day that makes you feel fulfilled at the end of it. I felt vindicated in my choice to power through my nervousness, to lean into my confident side and take on something that scared me. 5Ks can be scary. New jobs can be scary. It’s how we act when we’re scared that makes us warriors, that shows how strong we are. These girls are beyond strong, and I’m so excited to be overseeing the programs at our different sites.
If the 5K was any indication, it’ll be a challenging, exciting, and fulfilling journey.
