Girls on the Run/Mistletoe 5K

So, yesterday Lucy completed her Girls on the Run course.  For those of you who aren't familiar with the program, here is a snippet from their website:

Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

Meeting twice a week in small teams of 8-20 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The 24-lesson curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.

Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. Important social, psychological, and physical skills and abilities are developed and reinforced throughout the program. At each season's conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a 5k running event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result—making the seemingly impossible, possible, and teaching girls that they can.

Lucy has been eagerly awaiting her chance to participate in this program.  She had 4 wonderful volunteer coaches who met with the girls 2 afternoons a week.  Lucy thrived with the running aspect and enjoyed her lessons.  She definitely got the running gene from her Dad and Grandpa Neelon.  She runs 3 miles like it's nothing.  So, to finish off the 'semester' she and her running buddies (aka Josh and his Dad) ran the Y's Mistletoe 5K yesterday morning. The weather turned out great and everyone had a ball.  There was a large turn out for the fun mile, 5K and 1/2 marathon!  Lucy finished in 29 min 44 sec (9th in her age group)….despite a few 'dad dramatic' complaints about cramps, thirst, etc they finished in a FAST sprint towards the finish line! She now wants to do this program again or participate in the Crazy Running program also offered at school.  She definitely was a little sore this morning but I think the running bug has bitten!