 |
Some people say "Where's Waldo?" We are always like
"Where's Arie?", our five year old son who hates having his picture taken! |
During Memorial Weekend on Saturday May 25th, my 7 year old daughter Eva (pronounced Ava) did her first 5K at the Appalachian Power Festival Run (AEP 5K) through the Girls on the Run Program. Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program for girls in grades 3 through 8. They met twice a week over a 12 week period with an encouraging emotional, social, mental, and physical curriculum with the goal of leaving the girls with a sense of self confidence, a lifelong appreciation of health and fitness, and how they can positively connect with and shape the world. The 5K at the end of the program was the culmination of all of their hard work showing them they can do anything!
 |
Girls on the Run with their running buddies before the race
Front Row GOTR girls: Madeline, Lucy, Mia, Vanessa, Eva, and Ayanna |
While there are thousands of Girls on the Run programs across the country, this was the pilot program for my town. I was really happy to be able to get my daughter into the program because we homeschool and they met at a local elementary school. While she met many new friends she also completed the program with her friend Lucy who we met a year ago on Memorial Day Weekend at a block party when they saw they had the same American Girl Doll. They have been buds every since! I would take Lucy home after every class and that gave them some more time together.
 |
| Lucy and Eva |
The night before the race they had a big pasta dinner with meatballs, bread, salad, and a delicious cake!
We got to meet the board members and sponsors like Carilion. It truly takes many people in order to make this program happen! They are all so dedicated and put so much work into it to make something so amazing happen!
 |
| Eva and Lucy with their amazing instructors Sonya and Jennifer |
 |
| Jennifer and Eva |
 |
| Allison, the amazing site liaison, GOTR instructor, and Lucy's running buddy |
 |
| Julie with Lucy, another great Girls on the Run Instructor |
Each of the girls received an award, a gift, and a special Girls on the Run Cheer.
 |
Madeline, Lucy, Eva, Ayanna
(Not all of the girls could be at the dinner but these are the ones who attended) |
 |
| Just Being Goofy for the camera! |
Eva received the "Sunshine Award" because she was always smiling and encouraging to others.
 |
| Jennifer introducing Eva and gave her the Sunshine Award |
Then they did the "Super Star" Cheer for her!
 |
| Super Star Cheer! Click below to see. |
Here are some other girls getting their cheer at the awards ceremony:
 |
| Ayanna |
 |
| Lucy |
After awards the girls made race signs for their morning race the next day!
 |
| Eva working on her sign for us to hold! |
 |
| Girls on the Run Girls Madeline and Ayanna working on signs |
 |
| Girls on the Run Girl Ayanna! |
 |
| Lucy's sister |
 |
| Lucy's sister |
Girls on the Run had their own tent at the race site Saturday morning and they made the experience so magical! With the giving from sponsors like Goody and Athleta, they had their hair done and painted pre-race.
 |
| Lucy |
 |
| Eva, Lucy, and Ayanna |
 |
| Buds Eva and Lucy after their hair styling! |
They then had a motivational cheer before we walked down to the race start.
They were paired with run buddies, who was the person who would run by their side during the race! Eva's buddy was Christine and she did a great job running and motivating Eva!
My daughter Eva was really nervous but with Christine by her side she was fine thanks to Christine's encouragement!
Here are some of the other girls with their running buddies and everyone waiting to start the race!
 |
| Lucy with Alison |
 |
| Lucy and Alison |
 |
| Mia with Christine's mom |
 |
| Alison, Kari, Christine's mom, Mia, and Sonya |
Before the race they said another cheer, and got ready to go!
After listening to the National Anthem they take off!
 |
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvOGaXh-kTQ |
My family went to the turnaround to cheer her on!
 |
| Me, Arie, Thijs, and the turnaround official Mr. Holtman |
 |
| Grandma Lucy and Papa Rob holding Eva's sign |
Here they come at the turnaround!
 |
| Ayanna with her running buddy and GOTR board member |
 |
| Here comes Eva! Looking strong! |
 |
| Lots of Happiness! |
 |
| Taking it home at the halfway point! |
And in she came!
 |
| Christine with Eva |
 |
| Eva with Arie |
 |
| Eva, Arie, and Thijs |
It was truly inspirational to see all of the girls come in!
 |
| Vanessa |
 |
| Mia |
 |
| Alison and Lucy |
 |
| Ayanna |
 |
| Julie, Ayanna, and Jennifer |
After the race the girls hung out at the tent and even got a magic show thanks to the festivities with the Appalachian Power Festival!
It was a truly beautiful experience with a lifelong impact of self confidence and the ability to change the world for the better! Girls on the Run will be available at Garden City Elementary School in Roanoke City and at Herman L. Horn in Vinton in the spring. To enroll contact Sonya Echols at sonya.echols@girlsontherun.org. For more information go to www.girlsontherun.org. Eva is doing it again in the spring and they will finish off with the Jingle Bell 5K!
