2019 Spring 5k in Howard County

One of the most amazing events I have gotten to be a part of in my life are the spring and fall Girls on the Run 5k. I have been there in all sorts of weather conditions but recently instead of running in the event I have started volunteering as a course marshal and other duties as needed. 

I never thought it would be nearly as fulfilling as when I ran an entire team, got to be at the finish line congratulating my girls and their families, and encouraging them. But there is something so different cheering on 800+ girls and their coaches and buddy runners dressed up as a unicorn. In the winter months it was advantageous to dress up in costume because it was freezing cold out. But when it was going to be a humid 90 degree day, nothing says hot and sweaty quite like wearing a giant mascot unicorn head and jumping around and cheering for kids for an hour and a half. 

Was I tired? You bet your bottom I was. 

Was I hot and sweaty? I think I could have squeezed a gallon of sweat from my hair alone. 

Was I happy? There aren't enough words to what it meant to cheer kids on. 

It takes so little to bring joy to their lives. And for a moment or two I even made some kids believe I was full of magic by saying their names as they ran by me. They have their names on their race bibs and like most kids they forgot. There may have been a couple of kids without the named bibs that I happened to know in person so that was an extra special surprise for them. 

I wish I was so genuinely good in my heart and could say that I did this 100% for the kids out on that course and their families, but that wouldn't be quite true. There is something magical about bringing a smile to so many faces. More rewarding than almost anything else I can think of doing for someone I don't know. All the high fives, hugs, and even a few kisses on the unicorn's nose reminded me of how much I dreamed of magic and unicorns as a little girl. 

But you know those moments that live with you forever? The kind that melt your heart and remind you that there is so much good and kindness and love in the world? 

I will share mine

At the end of the event, I walked around the finish area because I remembered last time I did this that many kids wanted a picture with the unicorn before they left and I wanted to give them that opportunity. I try really hard to keep the head on when walking around so very few kids see who it really is. This allows them to think it might even be someone they know personally. 

As I was finishing up and it was mostly cleared out I finally was visiting the merchandise table to buy some much needed swag. I had removed my unicorn head because I was melting like a puddle inside and figured it was only a handful of kids left. While looking at a unicorn headband (surprise!), I felt this soft tug on my shirt and turned to see one of the last runners that had finished the event. Small tiny little girl beaming at the unicorn head in my hand. She said something softly to me and I could barely make it too but I realized she wanted me to put the unicorn head back on. I got down on my knee with the head on and she gave me a giant hug and beamed with such a happiness it was infectious. Two days later and I am still wrapped in that happy little smile of hers. 

A small thank you and agreeing to take a photo with me and she was on her way. And for that, I am ever so thankful that I get these chances to be involved in such a wonderful organization. 

Volunteer Fatigue

My friend, Katie Courtney, is an inspirational woman recently posted her thoughts about an organization that she leads and volunteer fatigue. You can find her original post here:

GRAWA President Message: 

Different strategies can help address ‘volunteer fatigue’

It got me thinking because she wrote a line about "I am just tired." and how many times I hear that from volunteers from any organization. People often join and volunteer because they feel passionate about what they are volunteering for.

A parent who is constantly filling in that roll for the PTA events

The young person who is constantly trying to make a difference in their local community

Or maybe a volunteer coach for Girls on the Run

I have personally felt the guilt myself of being tired of the volunteer gig. Waiting on yet another parent who is late picking up their kid, not understanding that I am not being paid for my time and I have my own kids I want to get to now for dinner. That kid who constantly makes my lessons difficult because they just feel some need to take over all the attention. The parent who gets mad at you for not doing something the way they would have done. The staff members at the school who seem to be more bothered by your presence than thankful for you being there.  

I have been lucky myself that since 2011 I have always had a fairly supportive group of people around me so that the one parent, student or teacher that rubs me the wrong way I can just smile and keep moving forward. 

But as we near the end of the season one of the things that I wonder is how do we lose coaches for such a wonderful program and why is it hard for some schools to get replacements? 

There are a million and one great reasons for stepping down as a coach, first of which is just that you feel its best for you for whatever your personal reasons are. I have been thankful that any time I needed to take a season off coaching that the organization has always supported me and told me they can't wait till I come back. But some people don't feel so lucky for whatever reason? 

I have known that fatigue still too, so don't think my world is all bright and shiny all the time. There are days I would sit in my car getting ready to go coach and be holding back tears because of the day I just had in my own life and trying to figure out how to pull it together for 20 little girls. There were days that I would leave feeling like I failed because the girls just didn't want to grasp anything we were working on that day. Nothing is perfect. 

Much like running though, as my friends and I cheer each other on, you will have rough days. Its how you wake up the next day and put those shoes back on and get over that crud and find a new determination to be motivated to do better. 

But how do you achieve this as a volunteer? How do we recognize this in our volunteers when the organization has grown so much. I think that I have ideas and been starting to communicate them with other coaches and especially the leads of our chapter of Girls on the Run, but would really like to hear from the coaches themselves. 

The one thing I can reiterate to a volunteer though, is that if you need to step down to recharge or pursue other interests, don't ever feel pressured that you are letting anyone down. You shouldn't continue out of obligation because then you will no longer love what you do. You should continue because you love it and it gives you joy in the end to change the lives of so many individuals. 

I would urge people to read my friend's thoughts as she really touched on some topics that I think we all sometimes overlook in our own lives. And learning to recognize volunteer fatigue is a way for use to learn how to better make this an experience that not only the kids love but we love too.

For now though, when you are feeling down, and exhausted or maybe even under appreciated, know that there are so many little faces looking up to you and they will never forget you being a part of their lives. Know that there are so many of us that appreciate the sacrifices you make to inspire young women to be there best selves. And find the little things that bring you joy from your volunteering and remind yourself why you keep showing up. Because you do make a difference.