Call for GOTR Running Buddies

on April 21, 2011
in All Posts

Morning, lovelies!  I slept like a rock last night.  It felt amazing.

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And now I’m geared up for a busy work day. 🙂

 

Breakfast:

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A very fun yogurt mix:

 

  • Chobani pineapple
  • 1/2 cup raw oatmeals
  • Almonds
  • Chia seeds
  • Banana

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Get Involved with GOTR

 

As you may know, the Husband and I are coaches for Girls on the Run.  GOTR is a character-development program for 8 – 10 year old girls (there’s a program for slightly older girls, too, called Girls on Track).  The girls learn important life skills while training for a 5K. 

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Although you have to have a pretty flexible schedule to be a coach, you can get involved with Girls on the Run in other important ways, too!  GOTR always needs Running Buddies and Volunteers for their end-of-season 5K.  If you’re a Buddy, you will run alongside a girl for the entire race and motivate her to have fun and do her best. Volunteers might run the water stand or hand out the medals.

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GOTR chapters are located all over the country, and if you’re interested in being involved with your local 5K event, find your chapter’s contact information and reach out.

 

If you’re in the Charlotte area, our race is on May 7, and we would love more Running Buddies and Volunteers! 

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GOTR is a really wonderful organization that, I know, combines many of YOUR interests:  female empowerment, running, and epicness.  :)  Please consider participating in your chapter’s 5K!

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Are you involved in Girls on the Run or a similar program?

{ 91 comments }

 

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat April 21, 2011, 10:02 am

    I love that you’re so involved with Girls on the Run and I’ve been looking for similar associations to get involved with in my area. I’m sure those girls absolutely love the time and energy that you and the Husband have put in. Good luck with your race on the 7th! 🙂

  • Katie @ cooklaughmove April 21, 2011, 10:03 am

    I’m a Girls on Track coach! It has REALLY opened my eyes to all the things young ladies go through and are exposed to on a daily basis….wow!

    And I learned a VERY important lesson from on of the girls. She finished very last in a 5k last summer and she said this about it: “It was fun being last because when I finished everyone was there cheering for me!”

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:17 pm

      That is the most awesome thing ever. And it’s true!

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) April 21, 2011, 10:03 am

    Well, I’m out for being a running buddy right now, but what other volunteers do you need? I might be able to help out!

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 10:07 am

      There are many ways you can volunteer and help out at the event. Below is a list of some of the volunteer opportunities to sign-up today which ensures to be fun, fun, fun!

      * Pre-Race Volunteers: Thursday, May 5, and Friday, May 6

      * Race Day Volunteers: Packet Pick-up & On-site Registration Volunteers, Site Identifiers-Course/Police Assistants, Balloons (Flags) set-up, Posters & sidewalk chalk, Water stop, Happy Hair Station, Lap Counters, Lap Directors, Course Sweep, Sponsor Support, Information Booth, Finish Line Volunteers, and Water Bottle Station.

      * Post Race Volunteers: Balloon (Flag) Breakdown, Water stop/Finish line clean-up and Park Sweep Crew.

      A volunteer orientation will be held on Monday, April 25, 2011. Not only will we be able to thank you for your support in person, this will be a great chance to meet other volunteers, get any questions answered and have dinner on us.

      Please reach out to Lisa Keller Phone: 704.376.9817

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) April 21, 2011, 10:03 am

    I coach GOTR on Saturday mornings! I absolutely love it and it is the highlight of my week!

    We are having problems getting running buddies in our area unfortunately! (Any Jacksonville, FL readers see this? 😉 )

    So, I urge your readers to really consider signing up in their area! Don’t worry about having to be fast- they match you up with a girl who is the same speed as you! It is a lot of fun and the girls love it! 🙂

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 10:08 am

      *** highlighting this comment so jacksonsville readers can see it ***

  • The Teenage Taste April 21, 2011, 10:03 am

    Girls on the Run sounds like such an amazing organization! If only I was a part of something like that when I was younger!

  • Stacey April 21, 2011, 10:04 am

    I ran my first 5K last weekend with the GOTR chapter for Alachua County in Gainesville, Fl. It was my 1st 5K and it was AMAZING! Anytime I felt like I needed to walk, I looked around and saw all these girls running and it gave me so much motivation! Plus the girls were so cute! I am actually signing up to be a volunteer in the fall! You are the reason I even know about GOTR. 🙂

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 10:08 am

      <3 So Happy.

    • Katy (The Singing Runner) April 21, 2011, 1:33 pm

      Hey! Gainesville is my hometown!!! Good for you getting out there! 🙂

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday April 21, 2011, 10:06 am

    I wish I could be involved. There is no GOTR chapter in Windsor Ontario. I checked :/

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats April 21, 2011, 10:08 am

    I’d love to be involved – they don’t have a chapter in Rhode Island. Maybe some day…;) I’d love to be involved in a fitness/health program for young girls. So important!

  • Rachel @ Fit Fun and Fabulous April 21, 2011, 10:09 am

    I slept like a rock last night too! I usually fall asleep to the tv every night but this time I read a intellectually stimulating book for a change of pace. It made a HUGE difference in my sleep. Guess everyone is right, falling asleep with the tv on every night and letting it blare bright light in your face while you sleep doesn’t provide much adequate sleep.

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:18 pm

      Tvs are terrible for sleep, I guess! You should download the Ambiance app and listen to rainfall or something instead. 🙂

      • Rachel @ Fit Fun and Fabulous April 21, 2011, 4:33 pm

        My phone is still unfortunately from the “old days” and lacks any kind of Application interface.

        Maybe I should get a noise machine!

  • Mo April 21, 2011, 10:12 am

    I’m signed up to be a GOTR Running Buddy here in Scottsdale for the race on May 7th. I’m so excited and would not have known about this organization without your blog! I’m hoping in the future I can do more.

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:20 pm

      Yay I am so happy. I hope you have fun! 🙂

  • Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food April 21, 2011, 10:12 am

    What a great organization!

    I’ve never done GOTR but I worked with Common Threads and org that teaches at risk youth how to cook healthy and inexpensive meals at home! 🙂

  • Khushboo April 21, 2011, 10:13 am

    I’m still new with the chia seeds so question: if eaten right away, will the chia seeds still be able to gelatanize? Or do they have to be soaked overnight to get that consistency?

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 10:14 am

      They do get gelly really fast 🙂

      • Khushboo April 21, 2011, 10:15 am

        Sweet thanks! They’re really making me neglect my flaxseeds 🙂

  • Kristen @ SEO Runner April 21, 2011, 10:14 am

    What a wonderful organization!
    I’m a huge fan of sports for girls. I could have used the encouragement as a young girl and, let’s be honest, through most of my early 20s as well…

    Though, as the mother of a young boy, I’d like to see something like this – coed – in his school (once he becomes a schooler next year – eeeep!).

    Who do I know with a girl in this age range? I’ll send it on for sure and I may have to be a buddy!

  • alison April 21, 2011, 10:19 am

    I love GOTR! I’ve been my neighbor’s buddy runner twice and in May, I’ll run with my daughter. It’s such a fabulous program.

  • Errign April 21, 2011, 10:19 am

    Caitlin, I just wanted to let you know that you’ve totally inspired me to contact GOTR to volunteer when I move to Asheville this summer (my local chapter in NH is like, 1.5 hours away from me). 🙂

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:23 pm

      I hope you have fun working with GOTR when you move 🙂

  • Alex April 21, 2011, 10:20 am

    I am volunteering at the Girls on the Run 5K in Atlanta next weekend! Seeing all your posts made me want to get involved, but I didn’t have time to be a coach. I am really looking forward to the race and getting to see all the girls! Thanks for all the inspiration =) Have a great day!!

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:23 pm

      Thank you for volunteering. 🙂 It means a lot to the girls!

  • Leigh April 21, 2011, 10:24 am

    I would love to volunteer or get involved, but they don’t have a chapter in my province 🙁 That would be awesome if they expanded to more provinces in Canada though!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me April 21, 2011, 10:30 am

    There aren’t any very close to me but I do love the idea behind GOTR. Such a great thing for young girls!

  • Kara April 21, 2011, 10:31 am

    I’ve thought about doing GOTR, but I’d have to bring the baby. Are coaches/running buddies allowed to run with a stroller? 🙂

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 10:34 am

      yup! lots of coaches bring their children.

  • Katie April 21, 2011, 10:41 am

    I am moving to Alabama soon and I hope to start a chapter there. I think this is a great organization and I want to get involved if I can. If I was staying in Atlanta, I would coach one here!

  • Amber K April 21, 2011, 10:50 am

    There is one in my county, but I don’t know if it’s actually near me or not. My niece will be 8 at the very end of this year and I bet she’d love to do this next year!

  • Marisa E April 21, 2011, 10:54 am

    I soooo wish that I could help but I’m in Jersey 🙁 It seems like such a great organization to work with.

  • Leslie April 21, 2011, 10:57 am

    There isn’t a chapter in Miami, but I plan to start one sometime in the near future. First I have change my work schedule, but that is my current short term goal :).

    If any Miami people are interested in joining me! E-mail me!!

    Leslie S.

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:24 pm

      Yay, Miami! Thanks for starting a chapter there!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) April 21, 2011, 11:03 am

    Sadly no, but I love what you do with these girls! That is my favorite flower…the one you posted! I love Gerber Daisies! I hope you have a great day Caitlin!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg April 21, 2011, 11:05 am

    I think it is so great that you and your hubby are coaches for GOTR! I’m sure the 5K will be a blast!

  • Liz April 21, 2011, 11:13 am

    I just signed up to volunteer for the race we have May 22! I’m so excited 🙂

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:24 pm

      Thank you!

  • Kristin April 21, 2011, 11:22 am

    I just signed up to volunteer as a Running Buddy for the 5K here in Charlotte! 🙂

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:24 pm

      Thank you so much for volunteering!

  • Cate April 21, 2011, 11:25 am

    I am an assistant coach for GOTR in Orlando. After seeing your posts about the program I wanted to get involved. This is my first year with the program and I love it! We have a small group of girls, but we have so much fun together and have all learned lots. 🙂
    Our 5K is also May 7 and we have about ten schools participating. If any one in the Orlando area is interested signing up to be a running buddy just check out http://gotrorlando.org/locations-2/locations/

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:25 pm

      Yay! I am so glad you got GOTR going in Orlando! Thank you 🙂

      • Cate April 21, 2011, 6:01 pm

        I didn’t actually get the program going here in Orlando, but the ladies who did are wonderful! The program here is still relatively small but everyone involved really enjoys it.
        Thank you for bringing GOTR to my attention I am so happy that I have a chance to be apart of it! 🙂

  • Morgan April 21, 2011, 11:26 am

    I actually volunteered to be a run buddy for GOTR Tempe after learning about the program from HTP! I am really looking forward to it!

    I am pretty sure they are looking for more volunteers as well.

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:27 pm

      Thanks for being a running buddy Morgan. I know it will really mean a lot to the girl!

  • chelsea April 21, 2011, 11:26 am

    You know, thanks for a reminder. I really need to check out if they have one in my area and get involved. I’ll check it out now, I work from home so I could easily take part.

  • Danielle C. April 21, 2011, 11:31 am

    Thanks to your blog I found my local GOTR chapter here in the Puget Sound! I was a running buddy last fall and am going to my Spring orientation next week.

    I LOVE GOTR and their mission!!

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:26 pm

      Yay! Thank you Danielle.

  • Bambi April 21, 2011, 11:44 am

    I love love love that you are coaching GOTR. It provides such important lessons for young girls. I’m so not ready to be a running buddy but I’m going to volunteer for the race in my area on May 7. Maybe next year I can be a running buddy!

  • Kristyn April 21, 2011, 11:55 am

    Yay for your GOTR 5K almost coming up!!! Can you believe your season is already coming to an end? Our 5K is June 5 and we’ve been recruiting running buddies too! We have lots of mommies and daddies who want to run with their girls. =) So cute. I’m so thrilled to be involved in this program….can’t wait to head coach again next fall! Your blog introduced me to it which got me adamant on bringing it to our tiny community!!! Girls on the Run is SO MUCH FUN! Go bananas, girl!

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:27 pm

      Go bananas, go go bananas!

      • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:28 pm

        We also do a Pop the pimple, pop pop the pimple rendition.

  • Liz April 21, 2011, 12:18 pm

    I signed up to be a running buddy for our 5k and I put you down as “how did you hear about GOTR?”!!

  • Lisa April 21, 2011, 12:34 pm

    I’ve never seen anything like GOTR here but I volunteer with an organization for blind and visually impaired runners. Here’s a link to our most recent race in Tel Aviv – several different distances: 4.2km, 10km, 21km and full marathon. I ran the full marathon so I’m not in any of the shots (was probably between 20 and 30km when these people were coming in to the finish line!), but I helped coach 2 of the runners who did their first 21km. Even though the video is in Hebrew, I think you can get the gist – it was a really emotional day and everyone had an amazing time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6_vz5ANDfI

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:28 pm

      What an awesome program!

  • Katherine: Unemployed April 21, 2011, 12:47 pm

    ah I wish I could come! love gotr

  • Maren April 21, 2011, 12:54 pm

    YES! And our 5k is on the 7th, too! We’ll be thinking of you girls! And I will tell my girls that my friend is coaching a group of GOTR who are running their 5k in NC at the same time we are! They will be so excited!

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:29 pm

      🙂 that is really sweet, thank you!

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com April 21, 2011, 12:58 pm

    I’ve volunteered in local community and Disney sports/running events. You’ll never know who you are motivating out there, till you do it. I wanted to join GOTR but would be moving soon, sadly 🙁

  • R @ Learning As I Chop April 21, 2011, 12:59 pm

    That yogurt bowl looks so good. I need to start making those for myself!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife April 21, 2011, 12:59 pm

    That does look really fun-I will have to check it out, thanks 🙂 LOVE that first flower pic, ps.

  • Rebecca April 21, 2011, 1:16 pm

    I am a volunteer youth track coach. I have learned that kids are stronger and more resilient than most adults. Without a doubt.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey April 21, 2011, 1:25 pm

    I would love to get involved with GOTR – I keep saying that, but I really feel like I need to get involved!

  • Andrea @ Run, Eat, Date, Sleep April 21, 2011, 1:36 pm

    My boss at the Y and I are starting a GOTR program, but it will be a while because we need funding first. We’re thinking about asking the local marathon to have GOTR as the beneficiary of the race. He’s asked me to be the director for GOTR for the area, and we already have some women who are going to be coaches. I can’t wait! Thank you for inspiring me to do this!

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:31 pm

      What a great idea to get a marathon to sponsor GOTR! If I can help promote the event in any way, let me know.

  • Ashley @ Feeding Ashley April 21, 2011, 2:12 pm

    Its so awesome that you are so involved with that program. There isn’t a program in my area at the moment, but maybe one day when I move I’ll be able to get involved.

  • Vanessa @ Swift as Shadows April 21, 2011, 2:17 pm

    I would LOVE to be involved with GOTR, but there are no programs in my area. =(

  • Natalia - a side of simple April 21, 2011, 2:30 pm

    I just had a pineapple chobani for the first time last week and it was deeelicious 🙂

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:55 pm

      It is my second favorite flavor!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss April 21, 2011, 2:34 pm

    I wish I was in that area to be a part of GOTR! It looks like so much fun!

  • TheHungeredOne@MovingandMunching April 21, 2011, 2:42 pm

    I would absolutely LOVE to work with this organization. Unfortunately, there isn’t one for my area. I’m going to contact them and see what I can do! 🙂
    -TheHungeredOne

  • Joanna@ Drizzle of Sunshine April 21, 2011, 2:57 pm

    This is such an awesome organization. I really love that you’re so involved. I would definitely like to do this and I’m going to look into it. I just started running 5Ks myself and this would motivate me as well!

  • bonnie April 21, 2011, 2:57 pm

    this looks like an amazing organization! thanks for the link to check out the chapters around us

  • Dee April 21, 2011, 3:50 pm

    I’ve gotten to know this program through your blog and while I can’t right now, I do look forward to participating in GOTR in my area in the near future. You’re a good recruiter!

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 4:57 pm

      🙂 I love GOTR!

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas April 21, 2011, 4:10 pm

    If I lived in the area, I would be a volunteer in a second. I’ve been looking into GOTR in my area.. because I think it is sooo great what you are doing.. and want to be involved in something like this!

  • Amy (Miss Teacher) April 21, 2011, 5:06 pm

    I’m a GOTR coach for the first time this spring and I LOVE it! I’m a teaching so interacting with kids isn’t new for me, but it’s so much fun running with the girls and helping them get excited about running and healthy living! Glad you are having a great season too! 🙂

  • Molly @ RDexposed April 21, 2011, 5:43 pm

    Gerbera daisies are my absolute favorite!

  • Jenn April 21, 2011, 6:28 pm

    I am a GOTR coach and love it. I also am a Sole-mate for them and am earning money for GOTR as I train for the Rock N’ Roll Marathon this June : )

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 6:36 pm

      Thank you so much for being a coach and Solemate!

  • Kamaile April 21, 2011, 9:10 pm

    Thanks to reading this post today (I check your blog everyday & really like it)I’m interested and will go check out the link to find the GOTR in Dallas, TX. Thanks for all you do, you are an inspiration to me!

  • Stephanie April 21, 2011, 9:22 pm

    I just stumbled on your site this evening after a GOTR practice (I’ve been a coach in Iowa for 4 years now). Tonight we chose our community service project and the girls decided to do an “Operation Beautiful” invasion! I went to your website to learn more about it (because I had only heard about it in passing) and I’m so pleased to see your connection to GOTR! The girls will love it when I tell them!

    They also were worried that the person who started operation is beautiful would get in trouble for leaving notes. 🙂 I assured them they wouldn’t!

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 9:43 pm

      Thank you so much for your work with GOTR!

  • lisa April 21, 2011, 10:26 pm

    i went to a GOTR meet and greet tonight in Boston! I had signed up to be a coach or an assistant for the spring but because the organization is so small in Massachusetts (and there were only a few assistant positions available) I wasn’t chosen. It was great getting to know the three coaches who started it all in the area last fall and look forward to being a running buddy at their race May 14th! Of course I also hope to be chosen as an assistant coach for the fall too 😉

    • Caitlin April 21, 2011, 10:28 pm

      Awesome! Hopefully you can help them grow!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 22, 2011, 1:02 pm

    Gorgeous flower photo Caitlin!!! You should frame it!

  • Anna Crouch April 22, 2011, 9:16 pm

    I actually contacted them a few weeks ago! I’m all signed up and everything to be a running buddy at the end of May! I’m SO excited! Thank you for introducing me to the program! I hope to start one in my hometown next year (instead of in the city, which is an hour away 🙂 )

  • Heidi April 26, 2011, 10:46 am

    I was a coach for GOTR up in CT – and helped start the council up there. Now that I’m back in the 9-5 (or 11-8 as it is now) world, I ran the National Half as a sole mate, and will be a running buddy for GOTR-DC in June! Super excited! I LOVE this organization and love reading about your coaching adventures 🙂

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