Martha Cuevas is the head coach at Coventry Elementary School in Yorktown, where she currently coaches a team of 15 girls on Mondays and Wednesdays. This is her third year volunteering with Girls on the Run. How and why did you start coaching for GoTR?
I had been a volunteer at the Victory YMCA for many years. I wanted a new volunteer opportunity and Errold Cobbins introduced me to the program. Once I started coaching, I was hooked!!!
What's your favorite part of being a coach?
I love being able to spend time with just the girls. They always have sometime to say and are anxious to tell you all their thoughts. The lessons and the running components are just the right mix. I can really see the girls becoming stronger runners and more outspoken!!! They might start out being shy but by the end of the season, they have made many new friends and are comfortable telling you what's on their minds.
What is your funniest GoTR moment?
This one is hard. We have lots of funny moments. I would probably say that some of the warm up games have been hilarious. Skin the snake had to be the funniest? The girls were giggling and falling all over the place. They were complaining that someone's butt was in their face or falling on each other. Of course, once we finished, they wanted to do it again. Hotchamama was also very funny. It's really funning to watch!!!
Do you have a favorite place to run in Hampton Roads?
I run in my neighborhood a lot but I would say my favorite place would be Noland's Trail. It's a tough course but very beautiful and challenging!
Do you have a tip for staying healthy/fit when it's cold outside?
I'm not much of a cold weather person!!! I keep with my routine and make sure I go to the gym early in the AM before work. I play tennis 3 or 4 times a week indoors!!! If I skip the gym, I have lots of exercise equipment at home and I make sure I use it!!! Since I teach PE, I'm always trying to change the kids exercise routine so they don't get bored. By doing this, I constantly have to exercise along with them!
What the girls have to say about their coach...
"When you need someone to talk to, she's always there for you." - Florence
"She's really nice. Like today she gave me a t-shirt so that I didn't have to run in a dress."
- Amy
"She helps me stay healthy." - Carly
I had been a volunteer at the Victory YMCA for many years. I wanted a new volunteer opportunity and Errold Cobbins introduced me to the program. Once I started coaching, I was hooked!!!
What's your favorite part of being a coach?
I love being able to spend time with just the girls. They always have sometime to say and are anxious to tell you all their thoughts. The lessons and the running components are just the right mix. I can really see the girls becoming stronger runners and more outspoken!!! They might start out being shy but by the end of the season, they have made many new friends and are comfortable telling you what's on their minds.
What is your funniest GoTR moment?
This one is hard. We have lots of funny moments. I would probably say that some of the warm up games have been hilarious. Skin the snake had to be the funniest? The girls were giggling and falling all over the place. They were complaining that someone's butt was in their face or falling on each other. Of course, once we finished, they wanted to do it again. Hotchamama was also very funny. It's really funning to watch!!!
Do you have a favorite place to run in Hampton Roads?
I run in my neighborhood a lot but I would say my favorite place would be Noland's Trail. It's a tough course but very beautiful and challenging!
Do you have a tip for staying healthy/fit when it's cold outside?
I'm not much of a cold weather person!!! I keep with my routine and make sure I go to the gym early in the AM before work. I play tennis 3 or 4 times a week indoors!!! If I skip the gym, I have lots of exercise equipment at home and I make sure I use it!!! Since I teach PE, I'm always trying to change the kids exercise routine so they don't get bored. By doing this, I constantly have to exercise along with them!
What the girls have to say about their coach...
"When you need someone to talk to, she's always there for you." - Florence
"She's really nice. Like today she gave me a t-shirt so that I didn't have to run in a dress."
- Amy
"She helps me stay healthy." - Carly
