Remember a while back when I posted about the ideas I had for mixing volunteering and running? Well a couple of them are starting to pan out and start soon!
First, I am volunteering to help with a half marathon this weekend near my parents house and excited for that! I have often thought about running this half but this year I am not in the shape for it plus it’s at night (like 7pm start) so I wonder if I would be able to run at that time of night. Normally I really struggle running anytime after like 10am. But by volunteering I will hopefully get more of an idea of what it is like! (and if I would be the last one across the finish line!). It’s called the Full Moon Half Marathon but my mom pointed out that it’s not actually a full moon this weekend. Strange?
Second, I am going to be an actual coach for Girls on the Run! I was thinking of just starting as an assistance coach but since my after work time is pretty flexible I might actually be able to be the “head” coach! I’ll know for sure in a week or so after they have time to fix everyone up with a group. I’m really excited about this because I know when I was 8-13 years old, doing something active was not really my cup of tea but I really should have been at that time. Hopefully I can help these girls realize that exercise is FUN! I’m just hoping all the girls don’t run faster than me 
I’m very happy that I am finally finding some ways to volunteer doing activities I have a passion for. I really struggled the years after I graduated college with feeling kind of lost in this respect. I never was the one who had to select where I spent my free time because school work and being with friends was all I did when in college. Now that I am a little more “grown up” I’m having to figure out what to do with my life so each time even a little piece falls into place, it seems like a good thing!
What was one thing that surprised you about being a “grown up”? I know for me it has been the total loss of opportunities to meet new people my age (not really going to be helped with these opportunities but it’s the right direction, right?). In school I was always in different classes with people my age but after graduation, all of a sudden I am surrounded by people much older than me in totally different situations. It’s not quite how I pictured it when I was a kid, that’s for sure!
How awesome that you’re going to be a GOTR coach! You’re going to be an awesome role model for those girls.
I have never even heard of the Full Moon Half, but after looking at the website, I may have to convince myself that I can run that far this soon. It would be so much fun to run a race at night!
I agree that it’s hard to meet people our age. JP and I work with people who are all older than us, and since we’ve moved we haven’t really met too many people our age. Even in our group of friends from our running group, we’re the youngest couple by a couple years.
I hope so! Hope they are a good role models for me too
And I really want to try it sometime but man, that’s late to run that far! I’d probably be spinning until midnight on the post race adrenaline too! Maybe next year
And I keep wanting to find a running group but I am striking out totally… it seems like they are predominately people my parents age… erg, I seriously need to spend more time with people my age though, I am starting to live/feel like a retired person!! (minus the still working part…)
I don’t know how close this is to you, but I know the Lululemon Third Ward has a running club that meets on Mondays. (Ha… I talk like I know… I just browse Lululemon and make huge wish lists and hope that some day I’ll set foot in a store)
That’s a good reminder! I work really, really close to lululemon so I could easily go after work some Monday! I’ve only been in the store once though and have yet to purchase anything there. I’m thinking I should pick something out in the near future to put it to the test to see if it’s worth the $$$ price tag
Okay, you are making me want to volunteer, too! Sounds like some very cool opportunities coming your way!*
I sure hope so