Feature Story: Catherine, age 14 Catherine's completed a youth triathlon the past two years, but she wasn’t sure she was going to do it this year. The running was hard. And all those practices seemed daunting.  “I used to have a really hard time running and I didn’t like it at all,” says Catherine. “But when I told my teammate Rachel I wanted to skip it this year, she got really upset and was disappointed because I am the one who convinced her to stick with it last year.” Catherine struggled with the decision for awhile. She tried to convince herself to do it, but she wasn’t sure she still had it in her to complete the race. As Catherine talked with Rachel more, Rachel’s excitement for this year’s race was clear. “Rachel was so excited about the race this year, since it would be her third time – just like it would be for me,” recalls Catherine. And Rachel, also 14, wasn't going to let Catherine quit. “Rachel told me she couldn’t be as excited without me,” remembers Catherine. Catherine also remembered how much fun she had the two years before and how she felt afterward. “I had accomplished something I never dreamed I could do,” she says. That was all the encouragement she needed to get back into training. And at the end of the race this year, Catherine had surprised herself! “It was easy,” she laughs. “The running was a piece of cake this year.” Rachel and Catherine come from different neighborhoods in Chicago, but they have become good friends from participating in Girls in the Game programs together for years. Both young women are Counselors-in-Training at the Sports and Leadership Summer Camp, leading younger girls in what they know best (sports and healthy lifestyle activities) and both participate in the Girls’ Advisory Board. From participating in making the girls' documentary on self-esteem, to interviewing professional women about their careers, to joining the camp staff as a Counselor-in-Training, they’ll continue to motivate each other to stay active. And at next year’s triathlon, they both promise to cross the finish line together again! To view pictures from this year's triathlon, click here.

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