From DNS To Race Volunteer

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. 

LHH Logo

 

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! 

LHH Set Up

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)

LHH Fish Shirt

This was my favorite law-related slogan

LHH

But I can’t remember the law firm, so I guess it’s a branding fail. 😉 

This was my firm’s shirt.

Foley LHH 2015

I really like the volunteer shirt too.

LHH Race Volunteer 2015

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.

STROKE FAST LHH

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?

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25 Responses to From DNS To Race Volunteer

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. Marcia says:

    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!

  4. misszippy says:

    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.

  5. Chaitali says:

    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.

  6. 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 🙂

  7. 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!

  8. Jennifer says:

    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).

  9. 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

  10. Sounds like fun! Glad you got to participate in some way!! Any skin cancer related foundation for me!

  11. karen says:

    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 .

  12. jill conyers says:

    What a fun way to give back. Lawyers Have Heart sounds like such a wonderful community.

  13. 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.

  14. Patty says:

    Way to make lemonade outta lemons. Sorry you couldn’t run, but glad you got to volunteer!

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. It’s nice to hear from the volunteering side of event.

  18. Volunteering is definitely on my to do list for next year.

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