Sunday, November 25, 2012

TOAST: NCRTM-RD

Yes, I know I'm not the Examiner anymore and yes I KNOW there are a million things I SHOULD be doing instead of writing.  But today I was the appointed race director of the NCR Trail Marathon-a race that is 23 years running for the BRRC, a race created by the legend himself, Dave Cooley.  I want to capture all the memories while they are still fresh, and since my brain is still buzzing though my body has booked a one-way ticket to La-La Land, I thought I should write it all down.

I woke up at 4:40 am beating my alarm which was set for 4:56.  Got my coffee, got dressed, made my cereal, poured the milk in Marc's coffee (oops!) and then in my cereal.  Marc and I were out of the house by 5:30.

We arrived at Sparks Elementary a little before 6:00 am and unloaded some things into the school.  I was shocked to see we weren't the first ones there. Dan Macedo, like the machine he is, was already pushing tables out to set up.  Feeling a tad guilty for not being there first and he being the one doing all the work, Marc and I jumped in to help.  I could already feel the panic and tension building in my body.  I made a mental note that if I kept this up, I would crash too soon.  As soon as I made that note, I wadded it up and threw it in the trash.  Hey, I'm young!

All too quickly runners began unloading off of buses.  Most things were set up at this point, but I suddenly began to get pulled in all different directions.  Runners need special treatment and have questions only I knew the answers to.  Volunteers weren't where I needed them to be, some didn't have things they required, people were asking me for ideas and opinions and my mind was empty.  It was only 7:00 am and I was TOAST.

Things were beginning to smooth out and all tasks were being carried out.  Volunteers solved problems and found ways to make their jobs work; most of them have been doing this for years, I was the new one here.

At 8:15 we headed up to the start and the runners followed.  Everyone was in place and the race started with no problems.  A few odds and ends later and Marc and I headed up York Road to hit the turnaround to check on the race.  Runners were on track and on pace.  Everything was running smoothly.  Marc and I headed down to Glencoe to wait for the lead runner.  We waited there for almost half an hour, finally here he came, but no Mitch.  Mitch was lead bike and yet, he was no where to be found.  I decided there was a good reason for this and figured he would let me know what happened later, I couldn't stress on it then, so we drove back to the school to watch the finish line and make sure everything was ready for the runners.
After watching for a while, one man came across in serious pain.  Brenda helped take him down to the school.  I waited, but she never came back up.  Not thinking much of it, Marc and I headed back to the school once again.  I was going to take a minute and eat some soup.  I lost Marc in the crowd, but managed to get my soup only seconds before Gene found me holding up the same guy Brenda brought down.

"He needs an EMT,"  says Gene

"I'm cramping up", says the runner who was shaking and refusing to sit down.  I scan the room, see no EMTs and walk a brisk pace towards the main entrance.

"OH GOD, I'M CRAMPING UP!!! AHHHHH!," the runner screams bloody murder.  It takes me the two seconds to walk out of the door to absorb this before it hits me that this guy is in real trouble!  So I drop my soup and haul ass up the excruciating hill of the Sparks Elementary drive. I see Nut walking up ahead of me.

"Nut!  there's a guy who needs an EMT NOW!"

"I know!".  Nut was already on his way up to get the EMT, but I blow past him in a full sprint.  I run up to the ambulance and bang on the window.

"There's a guy in the gym and he's screaming in pain!"  EMTs are on it, and rush back to the school.  I stop to catch my breath.  The cold wind and the dead sprint were too much for my lungs and my asthma was very displeased with me at this point.

Once back in the school, I catch up to the EMTs and point them to the guy, who is still standing and still conscious.  Not sure what the real issue was, but I had to right it off as a 'Drama Queen' incident and go back to work.  If you're checking, the TOAST is still burning away (that's me).

After three or four more trips up and back from the finish to the school, its time to do the awards.  My job: hand them out.  I did my job, but I forgot to read the small print of award giver/race director in the Idiots Guide to Race Directing manual.  It would seem that because I handed out the awards, I was also responsible for the results of the race.  I always heard it was the men who were the highly competitive ones, and who demand their times changed, their excuses for why their race went wrong, and who was REALLY in front of who.  But no, its the women, mostly between the ages of 50-59 who want their props.  Some who didn't even do the race properly.  (If you are reading this, and you know who you are: you made us work twice as hard in the freezing cold when you didn't do YOUR part as a runner!  Though you were very appreciative after the fact, I hope you can understand how irritating and exhausting your contribution was!)

The race coming was to a close at this point, I can only sit and stare at people.  Making a complete sentence was asking alot now.  At one point I just laid my head in Marc's lap only to close my eyes for five minutes and be woken on the 6th by Dave to give me a report of the runner who had collapsed at mile 20 (turns out THATS what happened to Mitch-My Hero)

Now I am a smoking piece of TOAST.  If you were to so much as sneeze my way, I would probably turn into a pile of ash. It feels like I stepped out of my body at approximately 6:59 am and have been hovering above it observing what I did.  In my frazzled state I keep returning to all those that make this race possible: The volunteers.  But before I list each one out, I just want to give a shout out to Charm City Run Events Team.  Yes, I'm a little biased since I work for them, but they are the one part of this race that, at no point, did they add to my stress.  I know I can count on Kelly and her team to do everything right and get the job done in an astoundingly competent way.  Thank you guys for everything you do, you are such a big part to making this race a success!

Now on to the volunteers that affected me personally.  I know there were many others out there that I did not see or talk to and I do thank you too, but below is a list of those who were vital to making my day great.  This is in no order of significance:

Mitch Greenberg: You are a hero today.  As the lead bike, you took personal responsibility for the lead runner to the point that when he collapsed you stayed with him and made sure he got the medical care he required.  #27 Blue Under Armour shirt man was both hypothermic and dehydrated.  He could have died if it weren't for you.  That is no exaggeration.  I'm so glad it was you as the lead bike and no other, thank you!

Brenda Dailey:  You are a rock star!  How you endured that finish line for over 4 solid hours in that bitter cold is beyond me!  You were awesome up there and you took on each runner as if you were their only support, and for many that was absolutely true.  Thank you for busting your skinny little butt!  Luv you girl!

Christy St. Clair and Dave Cooley: Thank you for entrusting me with your race.  I know it was hard to step back and allow me to drive, and there were times when I almost quit on you.  Both of you are truly the backbone to this race and I certainly recognize everything you did and still do for this race.  Thank you for all your support, help, guidance and friendship.  You both are rocks in this club!

Bailey St. Clair:  The bionic man.  How you keep going all day is inspiring to watch.  You take charge and know exactly what needs to be done.  Even with all the curve balls thrown at you lately, you are still unshakable and completely reliable.  I really do appreciate you!

Brian Flowers:  Wow!  You were awesome today!  As the volunteer coordinator, you take on a huge percentage of the race planning and race day duties.  Everywhere I turned, there you were checking on things and working.  The club is really lucky to have you, and I'm so glad you were metaphorically by my side in all this as well.  I am also glad you took the bullhorn to start the race.  You told the runners exactly what they needed to hear and didn't falter one bit the entire day.  Thanks again!

Marc, my Marc:  The man few of you know and has been by my side for almost two years was once again right where I needed him to be.  As far as a partner can go, you were perfect.  You did what I asked, you helped when it was needed, and you got out of my way when I was blazing by.  You comforted me, when I was on the verge of a mental breakdown and you reminded me that we were going to get through this day together.  You were exactly what I needed when I needed it and I love you.  Thank you, Tiger.

Mia Turo:  Thank you for all that you do with the food.  Taking this over a few years back, I think its safe to say you totally have everything under control.  You were cool all day and everyone was so happy with the food.  Thank you for picking up, organizing, and ordering what we need.  Food is probably a third of the race planning, and you took it all on perfectly.

Vicki and Cristian Creutzer:  The club's favorite couple (next to Bailey and Christy, of course) Thank you C-man for rockin' your water stop.  I know I can always count on you.  Vicki, you froze right along with Brenda, so all I said to her applies to you too.  I don't know how you guys tolerated that and with a huge smile on your face the whole time, too!  Thank you!

Robin Goodwin: The club's best cheerleader.  Thank you for all your encouragement and kind words.  You are simply sweet and your smiling face is infectious.  Thanks for all your help today.

Nut Hall:  I'm so glad to have your calm wit and feisty sense of humor around me during times of stress.   You never seem to falter and you know exactly what needs done and you do it.  You don't try to take over, push your opinion, or present yourself as the 'expert' of the group though I certainly know you are.  Thanks for all your help.

Dan Macedo, Gene Grady, Katie (waterstop Glencoe), Tom Jennings, Bren Larkin, Kristina Lucido, Mo Hall, Zac Fisher, Jennifer Zanni, Dick Talbott, Mark Dees: You all added to my day in a positive way as well, so thank you!

I'm sorry if I missed anyone, like say, I'm toast.  I'm actually finishing this the day after race, but wrote it last night.  I had to write it all while it was swirling around in my head, but I knew I should probably proof-read it today.  I don't think being a race director is a thankless job.  I received a lot of  'thank you's and 'nice job's, but instead of turning to that person and letting them know I appreciate their kind words, I instead had to turn and go solve the next problem.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Cupid sucks: A Brief V-day run

My dear running friends who have patiently waited for me to get off the sidelines and into the game will be happy to know I just ran 3 miles today totally pain-free.  Not a twinge, tweak or pinch--painless.

I just needed to run.  I was going to go to the gym and do my usual regimen to keep some muscle tone and burn fat, but my head said 'run' so I did.  It was sunny and 50, so I broke out the shorts.  I looked in the mirror and panicked.  Where has my ass gone?  Man, I'm not ready to lose one of my best features just yet.

I ran along the water and around Fell's Point.  On my way back in I ran along the water promenade.  Three, count them, three men were walking towards me.  All three of them had cell phones and their eyes glued to them.  This hit me in a terribly wrong way.  These three businessmen were not only doing something somewhat hazardous on an uneven surface, but they were about to let life's finer points pass them by...ME!

There was a day when boys would stop, whistle, and in general, stay aware of their surroundings.  Now we are all so absorbed in our virtual handheld worlds that we are letting the good stuff run right by.  Not today, I wouldn't allow it.

"Eyes forward boys!," I shouted as I zipped by.  One paid attention and said back, 'What are you a school teacher or something?"  As I ran, I turned back to see if there was any effect in my running wake.  The one semi-conscious man stopped and watched me run away.  He said something else, but I didn't hear him.  I smiled, waved and kept on running.

I needed to run today to get back in touch with my senses.  The gym seemed too artificial.  My feet, outside, brisk air and sunshine was what stimulated me.  Most people are walking zombies and turning further and further away from what is really there.  I felt zombie-like so I threw myself into the elements.

Now, I think everyone needs to try a little experiment:  Leave your phone home one day.  See how many times throughout the day you wished you had it to distract yourself from small, awkward social situations.  Summon up the courage to say something insignificant to someone. It could be 'nice day', or 'boy, gas prices are high'. Pay attention to how may others around you use and rely on their phones for distractions.  Don't be this person! Don't let ME pass you by!