My name is Ruby, and I’m a junior in high school coaching at Shelby Farms. Join me on a day in my life as a Junior Coach at the GOTR 5K!
Being a Junior Coach for a Girls on the Run team is probably one of the most impactful roles you can take on, and you definitely feel that at the 5K. You know immediately where the race is happening, not because of the distinctive features of the Overton Park Shell, but because of the fun music and crowds of girls all in one place.
First, you go over to your team, say hi to all of the girls, and get your bib. Obviously, you have to take your team over to the bib decorating station, where everyone crowds around the table, grabbing washi tape and rhinestones to bedazzle all of your gear. If you’re lucky, one of your girls will offer to decorate yours for you, and of course you say yes (and hang it up on your wall afterwards).
After decorating the bibs, some girls want to get their nails done, and some want to go warm up for the race. There’s so many cool activities, which means it’s perfect chaos. DJ Gee Honey is playing the best songs to emphasize the distinguishing factor of this event: Girl Power!
After helping your team pick out what matching nail color to get, you head over to the Shell and listen to the DJ and singers perform. Everyone’s singing along and having an amazing time. Then, you start to warm up and stretch with your team. Everything’s going great.
Soon enough, it’s time to start. Everyone heads over in a parade to the start line. The vibes are high, and everyone’s getting pumped up…
1, 2, 3, GO!
And you’re off! You start racing with your team, and it’s amazing to watch their months of hard work pay off. When you get to the first water station, you say hi to the volunteers and thank them. They’re cheering for you!
Along the course, there are countless supporters with signs and chants to keep you going. Your girls are killing it.
After 3.1 miles, you see the finish line, and you race your team across it. Everyone gets a high five and a smile at the end of the race. It’s just amazing.
You grab a MemPop, take a sip of water, and look around. An entire community of girls and their biggest supporters have come together to celebrate what GOTR is at its core: girlhood and girl power. And YOU got to be a part!