Girls on The Run Changes Lives and Relationships!

Girls on the Run in Southlake, TX

My 11-yr-old daughter, Alex, and I have been participating in “Girls on the Run” at her school, Durham Intermediate, in Southlake. The program has given us the opportunity to run together and share a moment in time that has been very special. She is learning more about her body and having open discussion about it with me! I encourage all women who run to share their love of exercise with their daughters. Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grade level is ideal.

Studies show that girls between the ages of eight and twelve are still receptive to adult influence, while beginning to feel peer pressure. It's an age psychologists call the latency period of development when girls begin to confront important life and relationship issues. As a prevention program, Girls on the Run initiates healthy decision making about difficult issues and really talking to their parents/caretakers before it's too late.

In addition, learning healthy exercise habits early in life increases the chances that participants will value their own physical fitness as adults. Recent studies show that only those who develop exercise habits in their teen years or earlier are likely to maintain those habits for life. It's well documented that regular, moderate exercise improves cardiovascular functioning, and reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, osteoporosis (brittle bones), and obesity. In addition, girls of this age are more open to the positive peer influences, positive adult role models and the confidence enhancing which are all parts of the GOTR experience.

Many moms have posed the question, “Is it safe for my young daughter to run that far?”

"Children's bodies are well suited for endurance exercise, and numerous studies have shown that children show many positive physiological adaptation to endurance exercise training. The keys are gradual progression and common-sense adult supervision. If those conditions are met, running 3 miles is a reasonable goal for most young people."

from Russell R. Pate, Ph.D. with the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina

If you are interested in the program, contact Girls on the Run. If you want to join us for the local race this year you can register on-line:

GOTR of DFW Metroplex
4/25/09 @ 8:00a.m. – New Balance Girls on the Run 5K
Address of Event:Andrew Brown Park W 360 N Denton Tapp Road Coppell, TX

Share your love of running with your child….it may make the difference of their lifetime!