Volunteering- A Whole different Race perspective

Wow!  Just wow!  What an experience.

I have raced a great number of races.  I have always thanked the volunteers, I have always appreciated their every second on the race course.  However, today I paid it forward.  I gave back to the athletic community and it was almost as enjoyable as racing. :)

The Hartford Full and Half Marathon went off today in an incredibly rainy setting.  St. Jude and our volunteer crew set up our station- a double- mile 16 and 18.  Never before did I think of where the water comes from.... thank you to the residents who allowed us hose hook-ups.  We had buckets and buckets of water, containers of gatorade concentrate, and more cups than anyone would know what to do with.

The first runners came flying through, most very self sufficient and not taking much from us.  Eventually the stations exploded.  We ran, we smiled, and we ran some more, trying to get everyone what they needed and trying desperately to keep the cups full!  The time flew by, I could not believe when it was over.

Highlights:

Seeing those first athletes come through- PC, Male, Female.... holy cow.  Incredible to see that caliber of athlete.

Cheering on runners, and the big smiles and thank yous.  Very few looked unhappy or in pain.  Impressive for such wet conditions.

Seeing and calling out to all my fellow Ironman athletes. Saw a mount Tremblant finisher A Rev 3 Cedar Point finisher and a fellow Maryland finisher

Unzipping pockets and tearing open GU's.

Helping one very uncomfortable looking gentleman with Vaseline and Bandaids.
 
Seeing Greg at Mile 16.  I just happened to look up at the right time from filling my bucket.  What an inspiration that man is!  Soldier, ER Nurse, Internal Medicine APRN, Mountain Bike Mountain Goat, and now 4-time marathon finisher extraordinaire!

Seeing Greg at Mile 18 and being able to chat with him as we jogged along!  So incredibly mentally strong, and kind-hearted!  What a guy!

Being able to jog alongside someone who was very obviously going to get pulled by the sweeper and being part of her internal battle with herself, eventually helping to convince her to take her number off and run against the now opening traffic and finish the last 8 miles.  She wouldn't make the cutoff, but she would finish.  I am so happy for her and have been thinking about her all afternoon.

Giving back and being part of a community.  Nothing better.  Enjoyed every second.  I can't wait to do it again.

Congrats to everyone who ran today!  Lara, you are insane, 9:07 average?!  You are going to have to teach me how to run.

Reagan- 18 mile training run in the rain- incredible!  So blessed to have you as a training partner.

Greg- You are an inspiration and a wonderful man!  Thank you for our run today!

Outrunners- You are an amazing bunch- tally those miles today!

Beth- You are next!  Half Marathon only 4 weeks away!

St. Jude and its Heroes- Jenn, Durant, it was so nice to meet you both in person!  Thank you for coordinating this wonderful opportunity!