It’s hard to believe with all the snow and slush that’s still here, but this weekend’s weather should be a hint — spring is on its way, and with it the spring seasons of Girls on the Run and STRIDE. Both program combine training for a 5K, which teaches fitness and goal setting, with important life lessons for kids in 3rd through 5th grade.
Girls on the Run coaches were training this weekend, learning about bullying and how to positively motivate the young girls on their teams. GOTR will be expanding this spring season to more school and Y sites than ever. Girls learn about body image and the media, resisting peer pressure, making healthy decisions and contributing to the community.
STRIDE, which stands for Success, Teamwork, Respect, Inspiration, Determination, and Excellence of Character, started at the YMCA in Brandywine, PA and has since spread throughout the country. It’s similar to Girls on the Run in that each session starts with a discussion of character-building topics before a training run. Some of the issues addressed include bullying, what makes a good friend, healthy eating, and goal-setting. It’s so far a pilot program at the South Oakland Y, but it should eventually expand to other branches.
Registration for Girls on the Run ends Friday, while STRIDE is still taking registrations. Both seasons start the week of March 10 and end with a a huge, all-teams 5K on May 21.
To register for Girls on the Run, you can download a registration form to be returned to your local Y. To register for STRIDE at the South Oakland Family YMCA, contact Jason Johnson at the South Oakland Y at 313-54-0030.