Girls on the Run 2014

Michelle had the opportunity to participate in Girls on the Run again at school this year. She really enjoyed it. She enjoyed learning about health and self esteem, and she enjoyed running. She was very excited when she found out her running buddy would be Ms. Edward, their principal. Gabby and I were there to cheer her on!
 Here are all the girls as the race was about to start.  Thousands of girls!
Mr. Fearick and one of the girls from Jackson...the race even had a police officer who lead the runners for the first lap.
  Michelle on her first lap.  Nearing the finish line!

Michelle was a real trooper.  The girls are given new running shoes as part of Girls on the Run.  The coaches keep them and have them use the shoes during practice and then they get them for the race.  Due to a miscommunication on my part, and because Michelle got sick at the last practice, the day before the race, her coaches thought she wasn't coming.  So they left her shoes at the school.  Since we met them at Sugarhouse Park, she just had to wear the shoes she had on...which were keds.  Not sandals, thankfully, but still not very good running shoes.  She has been growing so fast lately that the keds were a tiny bit tight, and not super comfortable for just day to day walking...so they were definitely not the best choice for a 5K.  But she didn't give up.  She walked a little bit, but jogged most of the time, and she finished in just over 43 minutes.  Then after the race was over, we had to walk back to our car, several blocks away.  Gabby was tired and whining and I told her I wouldn't carry her all the way to the car.  So for part of the walk, Michelle gave her a piggy back ride...despite just having finished a 5K.  She is such a good sport!