This spring, we caught up with Kirsten, an eight-season Girls on the Run coach and former participant. Alongside her fellow coaches, she’s helped create something truly special with the Waubesa team over the past few seasons. Read on to hear her reflections and what Girls on the Run means to her.
What does Girls on the Run mean to you?
To me, GOTR is more than a running program. It’s a community that teaches girls that effort matters more than perfection and that they’re capable of more than they often realize. It’s about showing up each week, building trust, and watching girls slowly realize their own potential. Being part of that process is incredibly meaningful and something I’m truly grateful for.
Is there a coaching moment that has impacted you?
One coaching moment that has stayed with me is realizing that my biggest impact isn’t always in what I say or do, but in simply showing up consistently and creating a space where girls feel safe, seen, and supported. I still have a card from a former participant that says, “Thank you for being a good coach. You make me feel good when I am sad. You just make me happy.” That reminder means so much because it reflects the kind of environment I hope to create. I also coached a very quiet girl who struggled to connect with others and often stayed close to me. I worried I wasn’t reaching her, but by the end of the season I realized she trusted me and felt safe with me. These experiences taught me that impact isn’t always visible in the moment. Sometimes it shows up in trust and consistency.
What do you hope participants take with them after the season ends?
I hope participants leave the season with confidence in themselves and a belief that they are capable of hard things. I want them to know that their effort matters, that mistakes are part of learning, and that they don’t have to be perfect to be proud of themselves. My biggest hope is that every girl leaves feeling seen, valued, and ready to take on new challenges with courage and kindness.
What makes your GOTR team special?
What makes our Waubesa team special is our coaches. We’re all in different chapters of life, but we show up for each other in a really genuine way. We learn from one another, balance each other’s strengths, and truly enjoy being together. I think the girls can feel that energy—when adults respect each other, lift each other up, and have fun together it helps create a supportive space where they can grow and be themselves.
As an alum, what stuck with you from GOTR that made you want to come back and coach?
What stayed with me most from GOTR was how empowering it was. It taught me that I was capable of more than I thought—physically, mentally, and emotionally. When I got older, I realized how rare that kind of environment is, and I wanted to help create it for the next generation. Coming back as a coach felt like a full-circle moment. I wanted to be that steady, encouraging presence for girls the same way my coaches were for me.
Describe GOTR in one word.
Empowering.
