Success in Every Step

Dedication: My Family

Running has been part of my life since I was a teenager. I really could not imagine my life without it. It has brought me peace of mind, kept me in shape, and helped me build positive relationships with amazing people. I run because I love it! I feel amazing when I run, especially when I meet a new goal.

My best running buddy, Jen, has been with me through thick and thin, literally! She has helped me reach new goals and pushes me when I am stuck. We have a motto, ‘we start together, we finish together!’

I have been part of running groups and forums. Some of the people I have met will be lifetime friends, even the ones I may never meet in person. Kristi, Kasie, Yvi, Miles, Scott, and so many more that have contributed to me conquering my goals.

One program has melted my heart and I can’t wait to share it with as many people as I can. Girls on the Run has lit a fire in my heart and I love spreading the inspiration of this program to others! I love running! I want girls and women to feel empowered by their abilities to accomplish their running goals too. 2016-2017 marked the first year of coaching GOTR and Heart & Sole for me and it certainly won’t be the last! I made great friends, met amazing coaches, and have incredible mentors. I have enjoyed sharing my knowledge and love of running with them and with the girls on our teams and their families. Coaches Jen, Shana, Heather, Mary, and Sandra can attest to the awesomeness of the program. They share in my love for running and helping others. They rock!

My first season as a coach, I was so fortunate to have my 11-year-old daughter on our GOTR team. It was great to see her build her confidence in her abilities, make connections with new people, and show compassion and caring for her teammates and coaches. She has developed her character and is using skills learned in training to build positive and lasting relationships and develop her competence to reach new goals. The program is nothing short of amazing! These girls have taught me so much about myself and my capabilities that even I was shocked. I know I have it in me to keep going and pushing myself so I can pursue all my goals; and when I crush those goals, I am going to make new ones.

I just successfully finished my second 10K and am now training for my second half-marathon. The skills I have learned and the relationships I have made are the driving factors that will help me keep one foot in front of the other so I can cross every finish line I set in front of me!

Girls on the Run International and Say It Forward are committed to the empowerment of girls everywhere. We believe that every girl has an important story to share – a story of determination and perseverance, a story that can inspire others to overcome the self-limiting beliefs that keep them from reaching their fullest potential. We are also committed to empowering the women who invest their time and energy in these girls.

We invite you to share your story at Say It Forward and to keep in touch with us via Twitter and FacebookGirls on the Run International Facebook and Twitter. All stories written by girls are shared with the permission of a parent or guardian. Girls’ first names only are posted with their stories.

Story shared by...

Kimberly Rydzewski

My name is Kym, short for Kimberly. The nickname was from 5th grade and stuck ever since. In a nutshell……I just turned 37 years young, am married to an amazing husband and father, and we have an 11-year-old daughter, two Great Danes (just lost our heart dog, Tank, to cancer), 5 snakes, and a bearded dragon. Yes, we love animals! We also love nature and enjoy being outside. I contribute my awesomeness to my family, friends, and most of all to my savior!