As soon as I learned that I would not be able to run the Lawyers Have Heart 10K this year, I contacted the organizers to see if I could be a race volunteer. It’s been a few years since I’ve volunteered at a race, and volunteering was on my list of things I really wanted to do this year.
I wanted to give back to the running community, and this race means so much to me personally. being a race volunteer was a way for me to be involved even if I couldn’t run.
I told the volunteer coordinator that I would prefer an early shift, not realizing what that meant for a race with a 7:30 am start time!
I set my alarm for 4:00 am, checked in at 5:00 am, and counted the minutes until Starbucks opened at 6:30. I was helping with race day registration, which wasn’t too busy. I handed out t-shirts and swag bags, answered questions when I could, and directed runners to the porta-pottys that were waaaay down the street.
One of my favorite things about Lawyers Have Heart is seeing the t-shirts that different law firms make. I was shameless about asking people if I could take pictures of their shirts!
This was my favorite heart-related slogan (from the law firm Fish & Richardson)
This was my favorite law-related slogan
But I can’t remember the law firm, so I guess it’s a branding fail. 😉
This was my firm’s shirt.
I really like the volunteer shirt too.
I ended up with four shirts from this race–the regular race shirt, my firm’s shirt, my volunteer shirt, and a technical shirt that was a thank you for my fundraising. (Thanks to all of you by the way–did you see that I reached exceeded my fundraising goal?!)
At the American Heart Association’s information booth, I learned a new mnemonic for the warning signs of stroke.
Do you know about the stroke symptoms for women?
[Tweet “A F.A.S.T. lesson at @LHH10K From @AHAGWR”]
Aside from the 4:00 am alarm, this volunteer experience was easy and painless. I only wish that I had a more active post–maybe at the “information” table where I could help sooth pre-race jitters, at a water stop where I could encourage everyone, or at the finish line where I could congratulate great efforts. I guess the same way I try to figure out how to make my next race better, I am planning for my next shift as a race volunteer. 😉
Is there an organization that’s close to your heart?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Alzheimer’s, as my FIL suffered with dementia & cancer – waaaay too much cancer in my family.
Good for you for volunteering! I still need to do that. I make it a point to thank as many volunteers as I can – you guys rock! But sorry you couldn’t run the race.
Those are both scary diseases. At least researchers are making progress but cures are a ways off.
I had to DNS a race last year due to injury. While I didn’t volunteer (I was in the boot), I did spectate and that was fun! I loved seeing all the runners cross the finish line–from the elites to the back of the packers. It was a great experience!
Cheering is important too! Good crowd support can make all the difference in a race.
Good for you for volunteering! I was SO grateful for the volunteers at yesterdays’s tri. The weather was horrendous and it had to be miserable for them. Cute race shirts! So fun!
I really enjoy working races and try to do it at least once/year. It’s really great to see all the behind the scenes work that goes into a race and appreciate it for next time we toe the line as a participant.
I did this race this weekend! I’m sorry I missed you. That’s awesome that you got the opportunity to volunteer since you couldn’t race. That Race Judicata was my favorite shirt out of the ones I saw as well but you’re right, I don’t remember which firm it was either.
Hah! Cheers to you for running – it was so humid! I hope you post a recap. 😉
Sounds like a fun day! I like volunteering and I help my Junior League group whenever I can. The project I had the most fun with was our mobile food bus, I like knowing I am helping hungry families 🙂
That sounds like a great way to help others.
I volunteered quite a bit last year when I was injured and I found it to be very rewarding to be able to give back. It was way to hot to run anyway!
Yes, you set a good example! 😉
So nice you were able to to volunteer this past weekend. The law firm shirts were pretty funny. I saw a picture online that they displayed all the shirts from every race they held – would like to see them in person (hopefully they will display it again next year).
Oh, neat – I’ll have to look for that.
Thank you for the shout-out! We participate in the walk in Boston as well, such a great organization. Every year, we have a slogan contest and have had some really clever entries and winners. It’s a lot of fun.
Liz Cerasuolo
Director of Communications
Fish & Richardson
That’s awesome. We need to be more creative with ours.
Sounds like fun! Glad you got to participate in some way!! Any skin cancer related foundation for me!
That’s awesome you volunteered 🙂 Love the Foley shirt. I am sorry you are injured, I just went and read the post. That’s awesome you are staying active, I had the same thoughts while I recovered from a stress fracture, but in the end it was good for my body to have a break, I was able to run some great runs this Spring before it got too hot and I was surprised at how strong I felt after the break (six weeks). The heat is now killing me, but that’s another story…
I try to always support breast caner and any type of skin caner since I’ve had Basil Cells removed .
What a fun way to give back. Lawyers Have Heart sounds like such a wonderful community.
I really enjoy race volunteering too! I’ve helped out with checking in and handing out water to runners. Those T-shirts are fun, love the one you’re wearing.
Way to make lemonade outta lemons. Sorry you couldn’t run, but glad you got to volunteer!
It’s always fun to volunteer for a race. You feel like your doing your part. I ran a 5k last mth for my cousin that has chronic Lyme disease so that was a very special race for me to be a part of.
I really enjoy race volunteering too! I think every runner should do it at least once – great volunteers along the course can make such a difference in the race experience.
It’s nice to hear from the volunteering side of event.
Volunteering is definitely on my to do list for next year.