In Motion: No Ordinary 5K: Girls on the Run Imparts Life Lessons
By Sue Wasserman
When Amy Renigar begins talking about Girls on the Run of Western North Carolina (GOTR), she says she has trouble stopping. This energetic executive director of GOTR exudes passion for both her position and the nonprofit program, which she refers to as “physical education with a purpose.”
From an onlooker’s perspective, it seems like GOTR coaches are simply training girls in third through eighth grade to participate in end-of-season 5K runs in May and December. For these volunteer coaches, inspiring these participants—many of whom have never run in a 5K—to cross the finish line is its own reward.
As Amy will tell you, though, running is just one component of the ten-week program’s successful curriculum, which helps young girls from all walks of life discover and tap into their limitless potential.
Photo by Inspired Life Photography
“Teams meet twice a week for ten weeks,” says Amy. “GOTR teams are divided according to age, third through fifth grade and sixth through eighth grade. Each 90-minute lesson has a theme. During the younger girls’ first practice, they’re asked if they’re a bystander or a stand-byer. While the coaches have the girls do age-appropriate warm up exercises, they discuss what that means. If someone is being a bully or gossiping, and you don’t speak up, you’re a bystander.” A “stand-byer,” she explains, is someone who speaks up for others, and also provides them support and encouragement. A special game of freeze tag between “bullies,” “stand-byers,” and “bystanders” combines learning a lesson with participating in a fun activity.
When the time comes to start doing laps, girls either run, walk, or skip with a partner. After the first lap, girls are given a bullying scenario. “During the second lap, they talk about it, decide together how they would react, and then share their response with the coach,” says Amy. “Essentially, we’re giving them tools to navigate the situations they’re going to face in life.”
Celebrating individual differences is an important part of the program. Amy says, “We ask each girl what’s unique about them and ask them to supply a positive adjective that describes them using the first letter of their name.” The former GOTR coach adds, “I’m Awesome Amy.”
During the star power lesson, girls lie quietly on the ground while being led through an exercise during which they visualize a night sky and choose a star that represents them. “The coach lets them know no other star shines just like theirs. They are each be-you-tiful.” Another lesson, Amy adds, helps girls react mindfully to everyday situations that may be frustrating, like a bad grade or argument with a sibling.
Sharing feelings and supporting each other is encouraged. Eleven-year-old participant Caitlin Tidwell, of Burnsville, still remembers the day she was picked on by a classmate. She says, “My Girls on the Run teammates made me feel better.” Recalling the excitement she felt after running her first 5K without leg braces, Caitlin says she wants to be a GOTR coach when she grows up.
That sort of response is music to the ears of 16-season veteran coach Jane Andersen who hopes the girls remember what they’ve learned. “I love that the girls meet others they wouldn’t normally meet in their circle of friends. My goal is to inspire them to do their personal best,” she says. “We must be doing something right because the girls keep coming back.”
To learn more or find the team nearest you, visit gotrwnc.org. Sue Wasserman is an Asheville-based freelance writer and nature photographer.
