Collecting Moments 4

Yesterday, coaches and running buddies...all teachers at my school...united to support our students as some of them took on the challenge of running their first 5K! As I continue to collect the special moments in my life, I cannot help but feel joy and gratitude to be part of such a committed bunch of educators. There were lots of laughs, hugs, and much support going around for our girls. Our students had fun, and each and every one of them met their challenge of completing the 3.1 miles.

Here are a few more photos if you'd like to see...

The Thing about Running

I can't remember exactly what circumstances led me to running. I think it had to do with my vivacious friend Bridget talking me into running Atlanta's Half Marathon on Thanksgiving Day several years ago.  I remember thinking what have I gotten myself into this time?  Back then I was no runner. I couldn't even run a mile without stopping. How in the world would I run 13.1 miles?

But that's the thing about running. If you do. You can.

There's just something magical and empowering about the way I feel after I run. It's a certain accomplishment...the feeling that I can do anything if I put my mind to it, and somehow I am more peaceful in my mind and thoughts...even though there is still much to do and accomplish. I vividly remember the day I completed my first nine miles. It was the week before the half marathon and Bridget and I had gone to a beautiful trail along the Chattahoochee River.  I was the girl who couldn't run a mile, and here I was running the longest distance I had ever ran in my life.  It was the best feeling in the world. I could do anything I wanted. Running did that for me.

If only I had running when I was a teenager...

You see, I discovered running and it's benefits as an adult. But I know running would have been equally beneficial to me as a teenager as I'm sure I would have dealt with life, my roller coaster emotions, and the whole idea of "fitting in" a whole lot better. I remember moving to the United States from Jamaica at the tender age of 14. I was in a new country, a new school, and I didn't feel like I belonged at all. I felt awkward and self-conscious, like an outsider. If only I had had something like running to build my confidence and self-esteem. If only I had had a running club to build me up, on the many days I felt so down.

I've been thinking about running a lot this weekend.  At the end of last school year, I was asked to be one of the coaches for our girls' running club, and I enthusiastically said yes! It's an awesome organization called Girls on the Run, and even though I've been a running buddy for students before, this time I will hold the title coach. I'm really excited and honored to be coaching young girls in this capacity. The middle school program is called Heart & Sole, and it's designed specifically to address all the issues young girls go through while incorporating the benefits of running.

I'm looking forward to the start of our program, and I can't wait to get a few girls hooked on that feeling you get from running.