GIrls Talk

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As we know, high school girls are going through one of the biggest changes of their life. As they are pumped full of estrogen their body physically changes and strong emotions occur. This time can be challenging and difficult as a female and as an athlete. With their need to talk I have found it imperative to give females a safe space to talk about these significant and life altering changes they are going through.

"Girls Talk" was developed to do just that. To educate, guide, empower and most importantly let girls talk about critical topics females face at this age. As a lifelong runner (35+ years) and long time teacher (21 years) I have created seamless lesson plans to educate females to be strong in mind and body. Each topic includes critical teaching moments, literature, essential questioning, reflection and a call to action.

As educators and coaches, it is our job to help develop strong confident humans. Helping them navigate what could be a challenging time in their life is crucial. Guiding them through critical conversations around body image, healthy eating, puberty, hormones and self confidence is essential. It is our job to nurture not only their athletic ability but who they are as individuals.  We should be developing strong girls in mind and body. The time is now!

I am Marie Davis Markham and running has been a lifelong passion. Living just 2 blocks from Wildwood Trail, running was a natural love that occurred immediately. I wasn’t always the best but I quickly found my way. As an age grouper I won 6 National Junior Olympic Titles. In high school, I was a 6 time Oregon State Champion at Lincoln High School. I Competed in 3 Kinney/Footlocker National Championships and represented the USA on two Junior World Cross Championship teams. At the University of Oregon, I was a 6 time all-american and a Pac - 10 champion. Following college I ran for Nike and the Nike Farm Team based out of Palo Alto, California.

Through all of those years of competing, I am proud to say I made it. I was confident. I believed in myself. I handled pressures pretty well for a teenager and more successfully as an adult. I never missed a period. I was undertrained and I was fortunate enough to not have to deal with disordered eating. I had only two significant injuries. I was lucky. For someone who runs at a competitive level for that many years, it’s rare. And I owe all that to those who built me up, to those who supported me through running, eating and mental health. I didn’t realize it at the time but I had people in my corner watching out for me. And most importantly reminding me that I was more important to them as a human than a runner. 

And now, that is my mission. As a high school assistant coach at Lincoln High School, I want to empower every female athlete to successfully navigate puberty, be a great runner and a confident female all at the same time.