Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Cubs on the Run ...

You may or may not realize this, but I have a hard time saying no. I am confident in my abilities and I often take on more things than I should. Usually, everything gets done and we all walk away in one piece, but sometimes that just isn't the case.

At this current moment of time, I have the following OFFICIAL titles:


It's a lot. And J works long hours and travels, so I don't always have a support team in place. I'm not complaining. I like our chaos. But with that said, I was PLANNING on saying NO to anything else that came my way.

Well, that was the plan. Until a notice was sent home from Dizzle's school. It was a request for parent volunteers. Parent volunteers who like to run. (You can see where this is going, right?)

HOW COULD I SAY NO?

Here's the deal. Dizzle's school is launching a running program called "Cubs on the Run." It's objective is to get kids moving. To show them that running for fitness can be fun. That running is not another sport's punishment. (Did I mention how I COULDN'T say no?)

I tried not to get involved. I really did. I even called G to have her remind me that I already had TOO MUCH going on. (She failed to do that and told me to volunteer.)

So, I ended up volunteering and Dizzle joined the group (as if she really had a choice in the matter.) This morning was the first session. And can I just say that it was SO MUCH FUN?

The group is small. There are only 12 children in the program. But every last one of them was so excited to be there. We started by walking a few warm-up laps and then let the kids see how many laps they could run in six minutes. Dizzle, the youngest in the group, finished 4.5 (just shy of half a mile) while some of the older children ran 6 or 7. We hope that we can repeat this exercise at the end of the four weeks to show the kids how their hard work has paid off.

You know, I'm kind of happy I didn't say no ...

40 comments:

Rene' said...

that was definitely not something to say no to. Good for you and good for Dizzle. That's fast for a little thing:)

bobbi said...

I love everything about this - of COURSE you couldn't say no!

Quinton J said...

I've got a problem with saying no too...but with something like this...you'll be glad you said yes. Just the smiles alone should put your mind at ease.

Amanda@runninghood said...

Of course you couldn't say NO to this...almost as if it was meant to bait just you! :) Good luck!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I do think saying no is sometimes a good thing but in this case it seems like the perfect use of your already stretched time. What a wonderful program. I'm so happy you guys get to take part in it.

Kim (Book Worm Runs) said...

Aw, that is great!! No wonder you couldn't say no...who could?! :)

Marlene said...

This is one time that I agree you could and should not have said no. Awesome!

Shawn said...

The only way anything works is with volunteers...you'll never regret it, good for you.

Runners Fuel said...

what a great idea! Difficult to say no to that!

Anonymous said...

That is so awesome! Of course you couldn't pass it up :)

Emz said...

There is an art to saying "no" --- let me know if you learn it --- pass it along. But soooooooooo happy you didn't say "no" to that one. Awesome. Enjoy your new "hat". ;) cub fab?! ;)

Unknown said...

So glad you said yes! I think they had you in mind for this job.

Lisa said...

One of my hats I wear is that of a wellness coach. I spend a lot of time with clients helping them to find and engage in more activities that give them energy and to reduce and minimize those activities which drain them. Even though there is a lot on your plate, this sounds like an activity that will give you energy and bring you happiness - great choice to get involved! Have fun - enjoy! Can't wait to hear a progress report (both for the kids and for you).

Meredith said...

That is awesome!! I think you'll be really glad that "no" did not come out of your mouth. Not only awesome for those kids, but awesome for you and your daughter too! So cool!

Laurie said...

Oh, that sounds like so much fun!! I guess you'll just have to say no to something else. :)

Katye said...

what an awesome idea! I think you may have secretly started the program and just not telling us...

Rae said...

How fun! You're such a good Mommy!

Unknown said...

Definitely glad you made time for this one... you won't regret it I'm sure!!! :)

And I totally didn't know you did the headbands... I need to snag me a few of them! Too cute!

Christa said...

That is so awesome. My kids school used to have a Mileage Club, but due to lack of parent involvement ( I would love to help but cant be there everyday for 4 hours), they canceled it. That is why I started my own Virtual Mileage Club on my blog. Isnt it fun when you see kids so excited to run. I too have many hats, that one would be very hard to say NO to. Have fun with it!!!

Aimee said...

What a great program! Even though you have a lot on your plate, I think it's awesome that you're volunteering!

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...

yes yes yes for not saying no no no! =)

Katie A. said...

I had a super involved mamma growing up, I promise you, all the crazy will pay off when they are older and they WILL appreciate it! Plus, who could say no to that? It was as if they wrote the program for you!
Have a blast!

Bethany + Ryan said...

FUN!!! That is the kind of thing you just can't say no to! :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness... how could you say no???? I want my kids' school to have this program...

MCM Mama said...

That? Would be a perfect example of something that would meet my criteria for a yes. I'm already trying to figure out how I can volunteer with Girls on the Run once Shoo is in elementary school (seeing as how my boys can't participate LOL).

Enjoy!

Erika said...

that sounds like an awesome club to be a part of:)

One Crazy Penguin said...

I think it really depends on the situation. This was definitely a good yes :)

Unknown said...

That is one of those volunteer opportunities that was meant for you. You can say no to the next 2 boring things to make up for it. ;)

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

i have problems saying no too lol... ugh! BUT ... seriously, how could you say no to that?! Totally awesome! :)

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

No way could you turn this down! I LOVE that y'all are doing this!

ajh said...

Of course you couldn't say no to this one. Glad it was fun!

Tricia said...

What a fun/wonderful opportunity

Liz said...

that's so awesome! you're the coolest mom ever!

Laura said...

I think this should be an exception to the "saying no" rule...such a great program and I bet you'll love it!

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

Dang woman you are crazy busy! How do you do it all?? What a great mom!

Anonymous said...

That is such a neat idea!

Jen said...

What a cool program... and doubt I could say no either.

And I hear you with the overwhelmed plate.. AHHHHHH. I am not even sure how I had time to train for a marathon, when I barely have time for do laundry.

Hunnybee said...

That is a great thing to Not say no to. Being a good role model has many many perks.

ihaverun said...

So so awesome! You will have so much fun! We're gonna want to see pictures =)

Julie D. said...

yes, yes, of course, you should have said yes!! sounds like a blast! have a great time.