Week 2 Recap: Listening to Our Bodies & Building Strength

We’ve wrapped up Week 2 of our summer session, and the energy is only growing stronger. From deep conversations to stair workouts at sunrise, the past week reminded us how powerful it can be to tune into our bodies and build confidence step by step.

Tuesday – Training Philosophy in Ataturk Park

We met under the shade of the trees at Ataturk Park, where co-founder Lily led the session with a talk on the philosophy behind our training plan. She explained how we structure our runs to balance effort and recovery—highlighting concepts like taper weeks, rest days, and the long-term benefits of building slowly. With this knowledge, our runners are learning not just how to run, but how to train intentionally and sustainably.

Thursday – Hormonal Health & Mental Wellbeing

We hosted our first online educational session with Mahabat Djumabaeva, a psychology student who also led a powerful session during our pilot cohort. This time, Mahabat returned to talk about how hormonal fluctuations affect our mood, energy, and approach to exercise. She spoke with honesty and warmth, encouraging participants to better understand their menstrual cycles and how to work with their bodies rather than against them. The conversation sparked reflection, learning, and plenty of questions.

Saturday – Sunrise Long Run & Stair Drills

At 6:00 AM, we gathered at Adinai Park for our weekly long run.

• Beginners completed 14 sets of 2 minutes running, 2 minutes walking

• Intermediate runners completed a steady 45-minute easy run

Afterwards, we stayed to do СБУ (strength and mobility drills) and added in step-ups and sprint repeats on the stairs to build power and coordination. Despite the early hour, the girls brought their full energy—and left feeling accomplished.

Participant Reflections

“We’re only on the second week, but I already notice how it feels easier and stronger for my body to run. Thanks to the training plan, I learned how to run at my own pace and feel more confident – even when I run alone, which I was embarrassed to do before. I especially appreciate the support from our mentors and the inspirational atmosphere that they and the other participants create. I’m grateful for this community of strong and interesting girls!” - Zulaika Rasyl kyzy

“Being part of the Juniper Kyz program has been a truly inspiring and meaningful experience for me. This program goes beyond just running — it supports women’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We learn how to run correctly, do yoga, practice strength training, and receive constant support from amazing mentors who are always kind and encouraging. They even bring us snacks after our runs to help us recover. What makes this program so special is the strong sense of community. It feels great to be surrounded by girls who support and motivate one another. Every activity helps us grow, feel stronger, and more confident. For me, Juniper Kyz is more than just a sports program — it’s a journey toward health, self-love, and empowerment.” - Burulsun Isagulova

As we move into the next week, we’re not just building endurance—we’re building trust, resilience, and a community where every girl learns to believe in her strength.