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Race Report: GOTR 5k

I was thrilled when my 8-year old niece asked me to be her Girls On the Run 5k ‘run buddy’ as I can’t imagine anything more empowering than helping a kid achieve something she didn’t necessarily think possible.

After 10 weeks of twice weekly training, the girls were ready for their first 5k. 850 girls plus their run buddies plus more for good measure made this a good size race of 3000 participants. The day dawned hot. It was into the 70’s when we got there.

No stranger to hot races, I was concerned for the girls. I instructed my run buddy to drink up the day before and in the hours prior. Um, she refused.

This race had all the diva trimmings: colored hair spray and body paint. Nail polish and ribbons. Our sparkle skirts were a huge hit. After primping for an hour, we finally lined up. My run buddy still refused to drink. I carried water for her cuz I knew she’d want it long before the water station at the halfway point.

We were off and I tried to keep her pace under control. Within the first mile we came upon a swarm of girls clustered around something. I assumed someone had gone down. My buddy quickly vanished into the cluster. Turns out it was a woman with a pitcher of ice water sprinting to and from her house, the kids drank like they’d never seen water before. Hilarious.

We were off again, we came upon family and friends and enjoyed plenty of cowbell. Soon after we took a walk break and my run buddy insisted we do this on the sidewalk. Alrighty then.

I noticed how many girls had male run buddies. Very cool.

My run buddy, usually extremely shy and of few to no words, warmed up and soon the conversation flowed. Running will do that, even to kids I guess. We walked and ran and talked about confidence and training and finding shade. She rattled off the races and places she’d wear her sparkly skirt and how much she’d love a donut about now. We lolled in garden hoses and misters.  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a little verklempt when she told me she signed up for this because she  ‘wanted a running necklace like you have’.

I was taken a little aback when the  “I could never get first place like you” sentiment slipped from her mouth. Negative talk monkey starts young. I quickly countered with how do you know for sure? You never know until you try.

Crowd support through the subdivision was A-Mazing.

We ran the final stretch to the finish, high-fiving as we went. It may as well have been the final stretch down Boylston for these girls. The crowds were delerious. People called ‘Go team Sparkle!’ and she beamed. We crossed the finish line hand in hand, she got her first “running necklace’ and was over the moon. I was out of my mind.  This was more touching and special and meaningful than I could ever have imagined. If you have the chance to participate in a GOTR event, TAKE IT!

Never underestimate the power of a ‘running necklace’.

She can’t wait to do this again next year. Neither can I.

Comments

  1. I love your partner’s spunk! She sounds like a character. I was a course marshal here last weekend for GOTR. It was such a blast to watch and like yours, lots of male buddies which I thought was great. Good for you for making her day special!

  3. I watched the kid’s fun run at the 8k I ran on Sunday. Seeing those kids trying their best and running their hearts out literally got me teary-eyed! I think it’s awesome that you got to do your race with your buddy this week. I will certainly look to see if there is a similar activity in my area to do the same!

  4. I love the power of the sparkle team, you guys rock, and what a cutie your buddy is!! Such a rewarding experience! Love the GOTR necklace, we didn’t have those here.

  6. This made me wanna tear up with joy!! Look at how cute she is!! Love the running necklace!! I love the minds of kids!!

    I’ve run a GOTR 5K before it was really great! I loved seeing them all decked out in pink and purple!

  9. What a cool race report! And a huge GOTR. We had our first one this year in BIrmingham. Definitely not as big, but I’m betting it will grow every year. My daughter already asked to do it next year!

  10. How awesome! It’s funny the things that inspire other people … a “running necklace.” I’ve heard criticisms for giving a medal just for finishing, but if a finisher’s medal can get someone off the couch, or give them confidence, then it’s a good thing in my book!

  11. omg. cutest story ever. got a little teary eyed. what a great experience for you and your niece. i need to look into getting involved in atlanta.

  14. This post put the biggest smile on my face. What an awesome 5K and one you will never forget. Congrats to you and your little buddy! I think she needs a sparkly race skirt 🙂

  15. I’m a big sap – I got a bit teary eyed reading this. Congrats on being a run buddy! Congrats to your little buddy on her awesome running necklace!

  21. This was so touching to read! It’s because of people like YOU and all the other volunteers at this race that will inspire our next generation of runners. Thank you for sharing!

  23. You rock! I definitely want to do this someday (this is the only way I’d wear a skirt, I think–hee hee)! I love the male run buddy thing, too–my husband would be great at it.

  29. I love this!!!!
    I need a boys on the run race here!!!!

    the running necklace! I love that also!!!
    love the purple (of course!) skirts!!!

  35. Oh how sweet! I love that she asked you to do this with her. What a fun experience. I hope I have the chance some day! GOTR rocks!

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