EMMIE BECOMES A RUNNER
How exciting to be part of a team! It's a vehicle for fun, learning, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and running all in one. Emmie talks about the truisms we all know so well in her story of the discovery of what it's like to become a runner.
The discovery of what it's like to become a runner shines through Emmie's story.
- Carol Goodrow
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IN A CHILD'S WORDS
Zoomerangs Rock!!!!
 By Emmie
It was such a hot day. I felt like I couldn't run a whole mile.  I thought a mile was really long. I felt really nervous. I didn't know very much about running. But now I know so much more.
Running is fun. My coach, Miss Stephanie, from Fleet Feet in West Hartford taught me a lot. You have to stretch so your muscles get strong and your legs cannot get wibbly-wobbly. After you stretch and practice your crazy eights, it's time to start.
My coach taught me that when you start a run, you shouldn't sprint. It's important to set a nice, easy pace. If you get tired or get a cramp, you have to blow it out really hard. If you feel like stopping, you just jog lightly and catch your breath.  And when you finish, you feel like blowing up because you are tired, but you also feel really proud of yourself.
When I first started the Zoomerangs, I got tired really quick and I stopped a lot and walked. But Miss Stephanie cheered me on and I set a goal that I would run a mile without stopping for mile six. And now, I have done it to mile 11. I am really proud of myself that I am in the Zoomerangs.
My whole family comes to Zoomerangs now. I like how they cheer me on.  I like that I have made a new friend, Haley. It's nice to have a friend to run with. We talk about lots of things. I forget sometimes that I'm running. It makes it easy for me to finish.
Now that my friends in the Zoomerangs are really supportive, I love running. All four of my coaches really help me when I'm running because they encourage me to do my best. I am happy about being a part of a team in running. I get inspired by my mom and dad who run a lot too. I can't wait to do my thirteenth mile just like my mom, dad, grampa and uncle. The Zoomerangs have really inspired me.
Emma is in a local running program out of Fleet Feet in West Hartford, CT where a group of 15 children, ages 5-14, gather together Monday and Wednesday evenings to run 1 mile each week for a total 12 miles in 6 weeks. Through word of mouth, the group has grown and children and even their parents are running, some have never run before!
The group will be participating in the ING Run for Something Better program on Friday, October 10, 2008 the day before the big marathon.
ING Run for Something Better
Encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle in the fight against childhood obesity for elementary and middle school student, the program encourages students to train together to compete a half marathon, covering 13.1 miles in 6 weeks. On October 10, during the ING Run for Something Better Day, the students who compete 12 miles through the school program will run their last 1.1 Final Mile, cross over the official ING Hartford Marathon Finish Line and receive a Finisher's Medal. Following the race, students will enjoy a World of Fitness expo with a variety of different physical activities like rock climbing, yoga, dance and skateboarding.
Contact: bbarash@kotchengroup.com Brie Barash for more information.
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