Motivate the next generation with Girls on the Run

As
a national sponsor of the Girls on the Run SoleMates charity running 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. Today’s inspiring SoleMates
fundraiser is Stephanie, who got hooked on running after pushing herself to run
her first marathon in memory of her father. Here's Stephanie after rocking a race right here in our backyard at the Rock the Parkway half marathon in Kansas City.

I
started running just a few years ago as a way to raise money in memory of my
father, who died of a heart attack at age 28. I’d planned to run a marathon in
his honor, and then quietly pack away the running shoes in the dark recesses of
my closet and return to my life of relative physical ease (read: laziness).

Along
the way, of course, I became hooked. Running has had a profound impact on who I
am, and what I believe about myself. It is certainly an outlet for exercise,
but also a stress reliever, an opportunity to think, and one of my favorite
ways to explore a new setting. Crossing the finish line of a grueling race
reminds me of the importance of setting goals and working to achieve them – and
that even this very slow runner can accomplish something great if I put my mind
to it.

When
I heard about Girls on the Run, I was immediately smitten. As someone who grew
up in a working class neighborhood, running was never something I was exposed
to (same goes for girls sports in general), and I love that Girls on the Run is
working to combat that – all while teaching valuable lessons on self-esteem,
team building, discipline and endurance. Being
a SoleMates fundraiser allows me to use a hobby that has become an integral
part of my days to help change lives across our community in a real and
meaningful way. Though my job prevents me from coaching a team, raising funds
to help support the program lets me play a role in helping inspire girls to be
their most confident, healthy selves – and there’s nothing better than watching
an excited group of young women cross their very first finish line!

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