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Motivate the next generation: join SoleMates for Girls on the Run

May 4, 2011 - posted in Into Sports, Testimonials,

As a national sponsor of the Girls on the Run SoleMates charity runner program, Garmin is partnering with this great organization to further their mission and share the stories of the women and men who are “running for a reason”. Runners can sign up for any event — runs, walks, bike rides or triathlons — and raise funds that will support their chosen council of Girls on the Run. Want your next race to help change lives? Find out more here. This month’s story comes from Megan, who had some fun on the run during her her training for Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon. Megan shares how getting plugged in as a volunteer for an organization like Girls on the Run helped her find her niche in the big city. And she’s definitely made her mark … while making a difference in the lives of these young girls.

Running was something that I never saw myself being involved in or enjoying. Boy was I wrong! I started running while in graduate school and haven't turned back since. It has changed my life and become something I can't live without. Running has introduced me to some of the most wonderful people that I have in my life today. I became involved with Girls on the Run soon after moving to Cincinnati. I quickly learned what a wonderful organization it was and felt so lucky to be involved with it. I joined the race committee and was welcomed with open arms. As I participated in my first Girls on the Run 5k, it brought tears to my eyes to see the excitement on the faces of the girls as they crossed the finish line. Their sense of accomplishment was indescribable. I truly believe the feeling they have when crossing the finish line is the same that I have when I cross the finish line at a marathon — the greatest sense of accomplishment and pride! Seeing this in young and strong girls is inspiring.

After my first Girls on the Run 5k, I was hooked and knew that I would stay involved for a long time. After being on the race committee for about two years, I decided I wanted to participate on a new level. I was getting ready to train for my sixth marathon and was ready for a new running goal. I decided why not merge the two, and I became a SoleMates fundraiser. This was the best running decision I have ever made. I had a blast training for this marathon all because of Girls on the Run. Every run, I thought of the girls that I was fundraising for, and there is nothing more motivating than that. Not to mention running in various costumes sponsored by others was part of my fundraising, so there is no way I could ever forget why I was running! I cannot imagine my life without Girls on the Run. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be involved and I feel like this organization has given me more than I can every repay.

We learned that Megan completed the Flying Pig Marathon in flying colors — and had a 12-minute PR! Way to go Megan! For sharing her story and impacting the lives of girls through the Girls on the Run SoleMates program, Megan received a Forerunner through Garmin's trade-in program.

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Flying Pig Marathon

Pre-race at 4:30AM....ready to go!

Mile 12.5 and happy to see Matt and my parents!

Finishing 26.2!

Finished in 3:44! Enjoying the post race celebration with family and friends!

My wonderful cheering crew that was out on the course!

The Flying Pig Marathon was a great day to say the least! It was so nice to finally reach the finale of training from the past 4 months. I feel so lucky to have such a great marathon where we live. The Pig is well run, has great volunteers and wonderful crowd support....what more could you ask for? It was so great to have my parents in town for the weekend and have them and my hubby out on the course! Saturday night my mom and I headed to Buca Di Beppo for a pre-race pasta dinner with the Girls on the Run Crew. It was a great time with some awesome GOTR friends. Then it was home for a trial run of the costume, pack everything for race day and head to bed. A 4:00am wake up call is early but I was ready to go. The rest of the place got woken up too as I needed my picture taken! Off to the race I went with a storm brewing in the distance. Fortunately we only got rained on a little bit and it wasn't hard. I met up with the running group at Paul Brown and it was nice see familiar faces and hear words of encouragement. As I made my way through corral B someone in an Up and Running shirt spotted me and said hi. To my surprise there was a UAR crew there and I was able to start with Marilouise! It was great to see them and chat for a little bit. We started off with the 3:50 pace group which was faster than I planned but I just relaxed and went through it. The beginning miles went quick and before I knew it we were headed down 7th street through a great crowd and ready to begin the climb. The 3:50 pace group was great and very helpful getting through the hills. Reaching to top of Eden Park felt great and before I knew it we were splitting off from the 1/2 marathon crowd. Heading through Hyde Park is always fun with a great crowd. I knew Matt and my parents were around mile 12.5 so I was excited to see them! Luckily I was easy to spot and they picked me out quickly. It was so great to have their support and see them, and I was still smiling and feeling good! As we hit the 13.1 mark I started to pick up the pace a little which made me nervous but I just kept moving. Heading through Mariemont there were so many people out and I must say by this point I had received lots of comments on my outfit and lots of cheers for my tiara which was very motivating. All the shout outs for GOTR were great! After Mariemont I knew the tough part with less crowds lie ahead. I found some familiar faces and we chatted a bit and around mile 21 started to see many of the coaches from the running group. A big thanks to John, Cliff and Robert for joining in at various parts of Eastern and a huge thank-you to Brian for running me in from about mile 22. It was great to have him there and pushing me.....he definitely didn't let me slow down and helped me finish stronger than I could ever imagine. Coming down the final stretch to the finish I was excited once again to see Matt and my parents and hear their words of encouragement. I finished strong in 3:44:46 which was a PR of 12 minutes! I attribute this all to the tiara, GOTR support and encouragement from my family and friends. I have all of you to thank for you donations and support along the way. I wouldn't have gotten there without all of you. I am so appreciative for this experience, it has been amazing. I can't even describe how much fun I had being a SoleMate! Now I am ready to watch all our girls cross the finish line at their 5k this weekend!