Week 5 Recap – Our First Trail Run, New Heights in Health Education & Women in Leadership
- joy stalteri
- Apr 22, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 23, 2025
Week 5 of Juniper Kyz was one of our busiest and most powerful weeks yet — filled with new physical challenges
Into the Hills: Our First Trail Run
We kicked off Saturday morning with our very first trail run! Meeting at 7:15 a.m., we headed to the hills on the outskirts of Bishkek, running through pistachio groves and soaking in the sunshine, fresh air, and stunning views. For nearly every girl, this was her first-ever trail run — although many were already familiar with hiking in the mountains. We ran for about 40 minutes uphill and 20 minutes down, stopping at scenic spots for photos and reflection.
We were amazed by the girls’ determination — some ran the entire ascent despite the steep grade and limited hill training so far. Afterward, several girls felt so energized they kept going all the way to the bus stop — some totaling over 9 km!
Before the run, Joy shared some beginner trail running tips, including:
Focusing on effort rather than pace,
Using short, quick steps,
Placing hands on thighs for support on steep climbs,
Stretching and strength training to build balance and prevent injury.
The morning reminded us of the joy that comes from moving through nature together — and how trail running builds not just strength, but confidence too.
This Week’s Educational Sessions
This week we hosted three in-person workshops covering holistic health, leadership, and women's hormones.
On Tuesday, we gathered at Kölökö, where the team from Crosslink Development International (One Health Program) led an interactive session on the mind-body connection. Facilitated by Aiturgan Abydyraimova (@aiturgan_abdyraimova), who is a certified nutritionist doula and doula instructor, and Salamat Djumaeva (@salamat_doula), who is an artist, trained doula, and health specialist. The session emphasized how physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being are deeply interconnected — and that we must nourish each to feel whole. You can learn more about their work at cdintl.org or on Instagram @toluk_den_sooluk. Many of our participants said it was refreshing to see these topics discussed by a local team in Kyrgyz language, and felt proud to be part of a community that shares their values.
On Friday evening, we met at TechnoPark coworking space, where Farzona Akhmedova, a senior Communications & Media student at the University of Central Asia, led a session on women in leadership. Farzona guided the group in identifying leadership qualities, reflecting on their personal strengths, and exploring what it means to step into leadership roles — especially in male-dominated spaces. Her passion and relatability made a lasting impact.
Finally, Saturday’s post-run session was all about women’s health and hormones. Psychology student Mahabat Djumabaeva (@makus1a) led the workshop with compassion and depth. She not only explained how hormonal changes affect our energy, emotions, and physical performance, but also created a space to discuss topics often considered taboo. Mahabat helped normalize how women feel during their menstrual cycles, and bravely opened conversations around intimacy, body awareness, and emotional care — subjects rarely discussed openly in Kyrgyzstan. Her warm, honest approach made many girls feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Participant Quotes from Week 5
“All these days with the girls on the team have been meaningful to me. I realized that the miracle isn't that I finished — the miracle is that I had the courage to start. I'm 100% sure that running is part of what makes me happy.”— Shakira Orunbekova
“At first, it was hard for me, and I even thought about giving up. But the more we ran, the closer we grew, and the more I started looking forward to our morning meetups and runs. Running isn’t just about discipline and building endurance—it’s also about confidence and leadership. Thanks to Juniper Kyz, I found such an amazing and welcoming community where we support each other and grow together. It genuinely gives me that ‘forever young’ vibe.”— Nuraiym Asanova
“On February 11, I spontaneously decided I would start running regularly. At first I only ran occasionally, and practiced yoga, stretching, and facial massage most mornings. But now I alternate them and run every other day. I started tracking my speed, time, and distance, joined a 5K race, and got accepted into Juniper Kyz. Thanks to the mentorship, training, and community, I feel my body becoming stronger and I’ve discovered joy in the process. It’s a free sport — just try it!”— Aliya Abdymitalipova
Looking Ahead:
Twelve of our sixteen participants are now registered for the Run the Silk Road 10K on May 3 in Issyk-Kul — their first international race! We’re also in full preparation mode for our own women’s race — Run, Girl, Run — happening May 10.
Stay tuned for updates from Week 6, which will bring more expert-led workshops, leadership development, and race excitement.
Thanks for following our journey — your support keeps us running!Follow us @juniper_kyz 💙
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