Dubuque Girls Running Program - DGRP

18/04/2016

Flashback to what was honestly one of my favorite days in my entire life! DGRP changed my life because of each little heart I was able to be a part of. In the 8 weeks I was fortunate to spend with the girls, they became a part of my family. I remember every single session very well and often think back to how proud I am in how far they came as well as how blown away I was by the level of support from the parents and running community. This past Spring, due to a lot of work travel and wedding planning, I was not able to do a DGRP session (I just couldn't hand it off either because SO much goes into the self esteem part of the program as well--although not directly apparent). This summer, I will happily be hosting runs and meet-ups for DGRP so make sure your girls are being active so they can show me how they have continued to improve! Also, it is in writing so share this mid-June, if you need! With today being THE Boston Marathon, I hope every girl on the course knows what it means to 'Run like a girl!'

02/05/2015

Parents and 5k adult running partners: Please check out this amazing video put together by Rob Harbin of the MVRA & DRC! It is amazing and he captured shots of all the pairings coming in! Please share as you wish! Also, just a reminder that the MVRA 5k is on the trail next weekend (May 9th) and it is only $10 for kids 12 and under! I know almost 10-15 of the girls are registered already which I love! So many parents have been sending me pictures of their daughters at races, track meets, and just running in general, keep them coming! I love it!

The Dubuque Girls Running Program celebration 5K

19/04/2015

I am still on cloud nine with happiness and pride of the girls' successes at the 5k yesterday! I put so much thought into strategically pairing the adult runners with their DGRP girls based on pace and personality. I think there were some new best friends made on the trail yesterday! I am elated that now everyone knows that for the last 8 weeks when I told them how awesome these girls are, they have no doubt that it is the truth! I tried to have a picture of every pairing in this album so tag yourself if I missed it! Also, please feel free to download and share any of the 600 amazing photos Amber Bettcher took yesterday. The Dropbox link is here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rh516jgfrppo72w/AABOUcKPMSzP8GLdx-f-BwcAa?dl=0 :null-IMG_6011.JPG

18/04/2015

Parents, please check out the great video captured of today's events by TH Media! More to come later! Thank you all for such a wonderful morning! I promised the TH and all the partners of the runners that they would have a good time and be inspired and your girls made sure that happened!

Britney Hermsen founder of the Dubuque Girl's Running Club discusses her Run Like a Girl 5k and how it benefits local girls in Dubuque through promoting fitness and building self-confidence.

18/04/2015

Tonight, I am making signs for tomorrow's finish line and also ones to encourage the girls to keep going during the race! The girls have all come so incredibly far from 8 weeks ago and I hope they have learned healthy habits and a love for running, but most importantly a love for themselves. Tomorrow's finish line means so much more than just the finish of the race. It is the completion of a lifetime experience for all of us that has shaped our lives more than we can explain. I have faith that these girls can inspire the world as they already have inspired me more than they know. I share our weekly experiences with the world because I am proud of them and believe they can better the world by just being themselves. I have witnessed girls break out of their shyness and insecurities and push themselves out of their own comfort zones. If anybody wants to restore their faith in humanity or be inspired to start (or keep) running, come to Heritage Pond tomorrow at 8:30 AM and cheer these little bundles of energy on as they take part in the first annual DGRP 5K!

08/04/2015

Smiles, eggs, and friends galore! In the last week, the girls have learned about pace when we ran for 2 miles on the AY McDonald Park Trail, competed against other teams with their friends at an out-of-the-ordinary Easter egg hunt, and learned about cadence and breathing! What a full week we have had! The girls' bonds are becoming stronger as their legs and lungs do the same. I hope everyone had fun at the Easter egg hunt along with all 30 of the girls' 'friends' they brought! It was definitely a tough workout! Special thanks to Connie Hodge for helping with last night's workout and making it fun with music and creating neverending smiles! We are a week and a half out from the 5k! Please provide any feedback about the workouts from the past week and share any pictures!

04/04/2015

Hoppy Friday all! Tonight I spent my evening preparing for an exciting day tomorrow at DGRP! 90 eggs prepared with a fun surprise for SIXTY runners! I still can't believe I was crazy enough to tell the girls to each bring a friend but we will all have a ton of fun! Can't wait to see everyone in the morning! I'll be in the lot off Pennsylvania! Remember a water bottle!

30/03/2015

I got exactly what I wanted for my birthday from the DGRP girls: their presenCE! Last week, we had a lot of fun dancing and goofing around with a game on Tuesday that incorporated self-esteem building (parents might have heard the chant about the circus all night, sorry!). Then on Saturday, Tammy Hoffer Kallback helped us among SEVERAL other amzaing helpers including my mom who surprised me, Emily Cory, GInny Fens, Jody Schultz, Jenni Walters, and Abbie Nilles! We used a parachute, did speed ladders, and a relay rac with Easter eggs! This week's locations will be e-mailed later today and there is a SURPRISE for Saturday so read the e-mail carefully!

27/03/2015

Exciting news! Your girls are famous! I am thrilled to share with you an amazing article about DGRP written by Susan Cain at Clarke University: http://www.clarke.edu/page.aspx?id=32291 Please feel free to share and know that the success of this program is not because of me, it is because of the GIRLS and my volunteer coaches! It would be nothing without them and my pride and enthusiasm for their future is nothing but sincere! I am extremely honored and humbled that the term DGRP is becoming a "thing"! People know what we are talking about when we say those letters together now! I will see the girls tomorrow! I am so excited to be flooded with their presenCE for my birthday! (Remember we are outside and the location was sent in my last e-mail; dress the girls warm!)

21/03/2015

Wow! Today was so much fun! Asbury Park gave us an endless amount of possibilities for working out! (More fun locations to come!)Traci Cooley put the girls through a great bootcamp-style workout after we did a warm-up run! The girls did mountain climbers, tricep dips, hill sprints, line sprints, high knees, butt kicks, lunges, and more! Of course, at the end, I let them play on the playgroup equipment and the functional area. The girls had no idea they were still working out as they were running from swing to slide to the pull-up bars even! I have no doubt they will be asking their parents to bring them back here to go through a workout together! The sun was shining and the smiles were never-ending! Thanks to my Sole Sisters Ann Schroeder, Ginny Fens, and Jenni Walters for their help again today! Parents: feel free to share any photos!

18/03/2015

To say I enjoy these sessions would be a complete understatement! We are having SO much fun and running at the same time! Tonight, we learned the importance of cheering others on, how food is fuel, and how we have become friends where most of us did not know each other in the beginning. The girls showed off their muscles and were proud to be Special thanks to Jordan Fullan for leading the workout, Martha Beard for the great nutrition education, and Abbie Nilles for her help! How can you do anything but smile when you see these pictures!?