I was born and raised in Roseland, where my mother still resides. Upon visiting her last week, I was reminded that the annual “Run For The Roses 5K” is scheduled for this coming weekend, an event that I hold dear to my heart.
As a young girl, this was the very first race
I attempted to run, and although I had to walk a good portion of it, I
recall the encouragement I received from another runner that day.
At
the time, I had no idea how to pace myself, but one of the other
joggers passing me on the course turned and shouted, “You have a great
stride! If you keep practicing, you could become a great runner one
day.”
Whether I had a good stride or not, there is one thing I am certain of – I never forgot those words of encouragement.
Since that inauspicious debut, I have run over 40 marathons worldwide.
In
my late twenties, I started coaching for the New Jersey chapter of
Girls on the Run that sponsor social and sports programs for girls aged
8-14.
Their motto: educating and preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.
From
these girls I learned that, with a little encouragement, we can all
accomplish things that may at first seem beyond our reach.
The
benefits of the sessions extend well beyond the physical realm.
Research has shown that girls with positive role models and good
self-esteem are far better equipped to combat the peer pressures that
bedevil young girls as they enter adulthood.
Many times in my
life, I have received mentorship from others who cared for me: my mom
leading me into kindergarten with her hand on my shoulder; my sister
Maureen, proudly walking behind me on a tour of her office as she
introduced me to colleagues on visitors’ day; my brother John, showing
me how to swim under water in the backyard pool; Walter, my second
eldest sibling, encouraging me as I considered the option to attend a
college out of state.
There was always support, and that was just from my immediate family.
But, there were also teachers and friends along the way – all of them ready with a helping hand when I needed it.
This is also what I try to do in my coaching practice.
Though
the setting may be more formalized, the goal is always the same – a
gentle and loving push – to help others in discovering and affirming
their own inner abilities.
I feel grateful to have been given a
leg up so often over the years that it is a privilege to pass it on
whenever the opportunity arises.
So come out and watch the
annual “Run for the Roses.” You don’t have to run
to participate and enjoy the fun. You can offer water, a smile or a
simple word of encouragement.
That’s more than enough.
Because you never know how far those words can travel.