One of the most surprising factors in my daughter’s participation in Girls on the Run turned out to be me. My nine-year-old had originally signed up with a friend. However, that girl ended up not participating, so Eliana wanted to drop out too. While she did have other friends in the club, it was only when I agreed to be her Running Buddy that my daughter fully committed to the ten-week program of practice and completing a 5K.

I really wanted Eliana to finish the project because she had declined dance this season. Like many parents, I am eager for her to do anything not involving a screen. She had shown some natural affinity for running at previous times. The most impressive was her winning first in a 800 meters race with zero training when she was six or seven. At that age, successful competition hinged on not dropping out due to falling down or crying. (You and me both, kid.)

This club is the only physical extracurricular offered by our local elementary school for girls. It was presented in an extremely non-competitive form. Firstly, the final even was called a “fun run” and not a “race.” Then they leaned in on the group participation and encouragement. Finally, all the numbered bibs at the event where #1. It’s very subversive when compared with to the ultra-competitive environment that children’s activities often dwell in. I don’t hate that because having an August birthday means my daughter is the youngest in her class and subsequently, one of the smallest. She was extremely sensitive to that when first introduced to local club soccer and the other children dominated the field. Her best motivation in running is beating her own times and not being compared with others. She finished the final course six minutes ahead of me and shaved a minute off of each of her mile splits from her practice race two weeks ago.

As a family, we don’t watch televised sports and the only professional event we’ve attended was a Hillsboro Hops farm league baseball game from the picnic section. While both Tim and I had done track in school, sports has just not made it to our adult lifestyle. Both participation and observation take time and money which we have dedicated elsewhere. My showing up to practice and the starting line was what my kid needed for this project. Let’s be honest, we could all use less screen time. Running is still probably the least expensive and easiest entry activity because all you need are a pair of shoes and some determination.