H2O zone

This past weekend I volunteered at the George Washington Parkway ten miler. All of the water peeps met up at 6:30 a.m. to get our water stop ready for a bunch of runners 

We were expecting just a few runners to stop and drink the best water on the course. Now don't ask the folks at mile 8 if they have the best water because they will lie to you and say their water is the best. It is obviously not the best since mile 6 has the best H2O around!

I had some people that I was watching out for. Some run club friends were running along with Megan.  I was on the look out for the damn juggler too. The last time I worked this exact water stop I saw him juggle by. I was telling some of the people about the juggler. Jen has never seen the damn juggler and asked if I would point him out when he juggles by. Of course I would. 

We quickly filled all of the cups and waited for our first thirsty runner. We didn't have to wait too long. Soon we were passing out water like champs. I cheered on the runners as I kept an eye open for the damn juggler. 

Soon Megan run up and said hi as she enjoyed some refreshing water. Still no damn juggler. After a large portion of the runners left we got word from a runner that an ambulance was needed for a runner 50 yards away. The runner said it looked like a heart attack. Luckily we had a police officer right across from our water stop blocking a road. He quickly put the call in for help and then sprinted over to help the runner. In short time I heard that the man was talking and looked much better. Did he have a heart attack?  Who knows. But one thing is certain that there were two ambulances at the scene pretty quickly.  Not a great ending to the day. I haven't heard anything but I'm guessing that the man was all right. At least I'm hoping he is alright. 

We cleaned up the area and before we knew it the crew was pulling up ready to collect all of our stuff. 

I headed to the finish to meet up with Megan. The finish area was crazy so we decided to head over to crystal city for some pizza. Yum!  You can beat ending the running day with two slices of pizza. 

GW Parkway Classic Volunteers at your service!

This morning I woke up before dawn not to run a race, but to volunteer at a race.  Today was my first water stop volunteering job.  Sure I've marked bibs on endurance athletes,, handed out candy to marathon runners, but never have I handed a runner water. Runclub was volunteering at the GW Parkway Classic 10 miler.  So I decided to sign up for a job.  We showed up well before the first runner toed the start line.

Bill and Megan unloading the truck.

Becky on Garbage duty.

We set up tables and loaded up lots of cups with water and Gatorade.  Ah the sticky messy Gatorade..I was hoping not to deal with this product.  I can't stand the sticky mess.  I also hate to run through where Gatorade has been..my shoes always stick to the ground.  ugh!  Turns out this morning I dealt with the Gatorade with little problem.  

Lots of runners were out today.  It was fun handing out the Gatorade to them (yep that is what I handed out the drink I was trying to avoid).  We were so popular that our side of the road ran out of Gatorade.  

People were so jealous of my rake and my jacket.  When I stop teaching I think I may work on a road crew..the bright yellow really brings out the blonde in my hair.  

 It was wonderful seeing so many runners supporting Boston.  Lots of signs for Boston.  Runners are great! I also loved the fact that so many runners thanked us for volunteering! The water stop went by pretty quickly and before you know it I was raking up cups.

As I was raking look who I saw coming down the road....

 Yep the juggler is back!  Ugh...  I guess I don't have to worry about him now.

We loaded up the trucks and we were finished.  Poor Becky had a run in with a dolly and unfortunately the dolly won.  Came up and smacked her on her forehead.  So Megan and Becky were stopping off at Patient First to make sure she would survive.  Don't worry she has a hard noggin' :)  

So glad I spent this Sunday morning hanging with some of my running friends!  

On another note, I have my first runners tan going on.  I have a lovely red  V on my neck along with some red arms.  Next time I need to remember to wear some sunscreen.