SarahDisney
So ... Yeah
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2014
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Gridiron 4M: A Volunteer Experience
I think I might have mentioned on here once or twice that I’m doing a guaranteed entry program for the NYC Marathon, where I run 9 qualifying races and participate in one volunteer opportunity (called “9 + 1”) and then I get guaranteed entry for the 2019 NYC Marathon … none of that lottery business.
I decided that I wanted to do my +1 volunteering early in the year, partially just to get it out of the way and partially because the spots later in the year tend to fill up early. I signed up to volunteer at a fluid station at the Gridiron 4M on Sunday, February 4th.
Signup itself was super easy … I just did it through my myNYRR account (that thing again). I got an email a few days before the race telling me when and where to show up (7:00am (ugh) behind Ballfield 8 at 102nd & East Drive). And that was all the “prep.”
As per usual, I took the subway to the race, and as per usual, something annoying happened (this time it was me forgetting how far of a walk it is from 96th & 2nd to 102nd & 5th and being worried that I’d be late). I got there at 7:01, checked in, got my assignment (fluid station 3), my vest, my “credentials” (aka volunteer lanyard) and my hat. They told me to grab breakfast then find my group and wait with them, but since I had already eaten breakfast on the train, I just grabbed a bottle of water and went to wait with my group. And then proceeded to put my volunteer hat on top of my winter hat:
(I have no idea what my face looks like here)
At around 7:30ish, the volunteer coordinator came over and introduced our team leader, then told us where to go. We walked to our station, and NYRR staff had already set up the tables and cups of water. And so, the waiting began... (we weren't expecting the first runners until at least 9:15)
We talked a lot. It was a good group of people - ranging from someone who was just starting to get into distance running to a trail/mountain ultramarathoner (and everything in between). Our team leader was a regular volunteer and a regular runner, so she shared tips and stories about both. Our station was right by the start of the reservoir, so we went there for a bit to hang out and to cheer on (and confuse) runners.
Once the race started, I started behind the table, helping to ensure that there were always enough cups up front for the people in front of the table (who were holding the water out for the runners). One of the guys in front of the table wanted to swap, so I went out in front of the table and held out water (which I ended up doing for the rest of the race, even after he came back out front … we did okay with just 1-2 people handling the cups from behind the table).
That first person who takes water from you is your favorite person in the race. So is the second person. And every person after that. So is every person who thanks you for volunteering. Basically, runners are the best. I really gained a new appreciation for runners from this volunteering experience.
After the last runners came through, we spilled out all the water, threw out all the cups (so much waste, btw), gathered our garbage, collapsed the tables, and went back to check out. That was a fairly easy process – I just gave them my name, and then handed in my vest and credentials.
Once that was all done, I went to the conservatory garden to find a bathroom, did my business, and then started my run. But that’s a topic for a different post.
(Bathroom is on the top left in this photo ... you can't really see it, it's kinda off camera)
For those of you who don’t like reading and skipped to the end, here are some positives and negatives of the experience:
Negatives:
- The long wait before we did anything. There was really no reason for us to be at our station before 8:30, since we were towards the end and everything was already set up.
- So cold! Not their fault, but ... I don't know that I’d volunteer in the cold again. The hand warmers they gave us helped, but not enough.
- I hated seeing so much water and cups get wasted. We tried to give some to random runners in the park, but we still wasted a lot.
Positives:
- My fellow volunteers! What a great group of people!
- NYRR staff were great too - pleasant and painless experience from start to finish
- The runners! They all seemed genuinely appreciative of the fact that we were out there.
- The sense of fulfillment I felt every time someone took a cup of water from me. It really was a great feeling knowing that I was helping other runners (even in such a small way).
Would I do it again? Yes, but... maybe during the spring or summer when I won't freeze. Or if I did it in the winter, I wouldn't plan to run after, so I could wear boots and warmer clothing. I would not do this “volunteer and then run” combo in the winter again. (I’m considering maybe volunteering again for a spring or summer race, but we’ll see if that happens. Life may get in the way.)
This encouraged me to try and volunteer for a race this year!
I'm not sure I really have a favorite this season now that Chicago Joe is gone. I like Bruce a lot, but I think his days are numbered after Padma's remark about his pasta. Of course, I think that's some of that can't win thing with Top Chef. I think he resorted to his standby, apparently amazing, stuff since Tom called him out on trying new stuff and struggling and why didn't he just cook his normally great food, and now he gets picked on for doing his normal stuff (although admittedly that's all he's been doing lately). Carrie has grown on me a lot. After initially seeming to be one of the weaker chefs, it's nice to see her coming on now, but I was surprised that a toast offering won the quickfire. She still seems to lack some creativity to me. Poor Fatima. I liked her and liked the different cuisine she brought to the show as well. I'll also say I was happy to see Claudette go both times although she must be a fireball in Last Chance Kitchen (which I don't watch but read about later) although I just read that Brother Luck (LOVE HIM) beat her out. So, now do I want Brother or Chicago Joe to win there. UGH. I'm sure I have multiple other thoughts, but that's all I can think of right now. 
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