The Inside Scoop of Volunteering at a Road Race

Over the past 10 years, I’ve run in a variety of races – from fun runs to half marathons. I was always amazed at the number of volunteers who came out to operate the event and cater to runners. For big events, like the Peachtree Road Race, hundreds of helpers are needed. I decided it was finally time to get a different experience from a road race by serving as a volunteer.

The Fall Five was a new 5K race in my neighborhood that benefitted a local school. I’ve helped manage large-scale events for my company, but I figured there was a lot I could learn by volunteering at a local road race.

As with any event, there are many details to coordinate – like a web site and online registration, traffic cones to mark the route, signs to alert neighbors who live along the route, along with safety pins for race numbers and food and water for runners. On top of that, you also have to deal with the weather. Atlanta has seen rain all week and Saturday was no exception for the race. Runners found shelter at Navo Church as they waited for the race to start – a nice offering that most running events can’t easily provide.

I tried to help out wherever I could. Since I’m not the quiet type, I landed the job of race announcer. This meant I got to talk a lot on a bullhorn, which was fun. Along with starting the race, I also cheered the runners as they neared the finish line. I got a glimpse of what it meant to be a race director. You’re the person that everyone looks for to make decisions and keep the show running. It’s a tough, demanding job that requires a lot of dedication. While I’m not looking to lead a race anytime soon, I plan to look for more opportunities to volunteer. It’s a worthwhile experience for every runner.

This week’s running route is the course from the Fall Five. A map of the course is available at WalkJogRun.net.

· Start at the corner of Oakview Rd and Spring St.
· Head north on Oakview, towards East Lake Dr.
· Cross East Lake Dr.
· From Oakview, turn right on Adams St.
· Turn right on Hill St.
· Turn left on McKoy St.
· Run through McKoy Park
· Exit McKoy Park and turn right on Spring St.
· Turn left on Oakview Rd.
· Turn right on 2nd Ave.
· Turn right on 3rd Ave.
· Turn right on East Lake Dr.
· End at East Lake and Oakview

Look who's on Twitter ... Lots of Runners

As a Twitter junkie, I occasionally tweet about my blog. When I do, it leads to a few new followers who tweet about running. Which made me wonder, how many running-related twitterers are out there? Apparently, a lot. You can find a listing of the most-followed Twitter accounts at wefollow.com. Here are a few to check out:

@ActiveNetworks – 16, 596 followers
The site that seems to manage registration for nearly every race is on Twitter. Tweets include links to articles and tips on training.

@RunnersWorld – 15,608 followers
Running news from around the world with links to the magazine’s online articles and videos.

@Cool_Running – 11,360 followers
Similar to the @ActiveNetworks, you see plenty of tweets with links to tips and news articles on running.

@Runningnews – 16,109 followers
News and information from across the web, including links to popular blogs and running sites.

@bmorrissey – 8,643 followers
Brian Morrissey is the Digital Editor at Adweek and you’ll find tweets about his training runs in NYC.

@1stMarathonPlan – 3,144 followers
As the name implies, J David Doss posts lots of tweets about marathons and training tips.

@just_finish – 2,031 followers
Hosted by Kevin Green, this Twitter account supports people training to complete events. Plenty of positive tweets found here.

@raygill1 – 3088 followers
A self-proclaimed coach, triathlete and fitness addict, Ray includes several links to interesting running and fitness content.

@runningscoop – 1,413 followers
A good source for links to stories about runners and online race registration.

@peachyruns - 1,122 followers
This is the Twitter handle for Big Peach Running Company. You'll find news on Atlanta events and running gear.

Get Ready for Fall Road Races

If you’re looking for a running event, you’ll find plenty to choose from in September. Rungeorgia.com lists more than 25 races in the metro Atlanta area. Here’s a sample of the races offered next month.

U.S. 10K Classic – Sept. 7 (Labor Day)
East Cobb is home to this multi-sports event. It hosts runners, cyclists, inline skaters, wheelchair athletes and walkers. Proceeds benefit children’s charities in Georgia and World Children’s Center.

Avondale Estates Labor Day 5K – Sept. 7 (Labor Day)
Avondale Estates is one of my favorite neighborhoods to run. There’s no online registration for this race – you’ll need to send the form by mail or drop it off at city hall.

Corporate Challenge – Sept. 10
Billed as the world’s largest office party, the route runs through Downtown Atlanta. It starts and ends under the Olympic rings on Hank Aaron Drive. CEOs who want to compete against their fellow execs get designated bibs and a separate finish line.

Decatur-Dekalb YMCA Fall Five - Sept. 19
I’m a fan of races that benefit local neighborhoods and schools. The Decatur Fall Five is a new 5K race that raises funds for College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center. The route runs through the Oakhurst neighborhood in Decatur.

East Atlanta Village Strut 5K Run/Walk - Sept. 19
This 5K race kicks-off a day of festivities, music and fun. The route starts at Portland and Brownwood Avenues. Stick around for the day to enjoy concerts, the artists market and the neighborhood parade.

Big Peach Sizzler 10K – Sept. 26
A MARTA-friendly event, it starts at the Chamblee station and ends near the Buckhead station. The race is USATF certified and serves as a qualifier for the 2010 Peachtree Roadrace. Register at a Big Peach store and get your race number before the event.

This week’s running route is the 5K course for East Atlanta Village Strut. Click here to access the route map.

One Inspiring Runner

The first story I read in this month’s Runner’s World profiled Rosie Coates, a Seattle-area runner who achieved some amazing accomplishments. In her quest to become a marathoner, Rosie shed 110 pounds – essentially whole person. For anyone who’s dieted (haven’t we all?), that’s simply remarkable.

But what I found inspiring about Rosie is her devotion to help other women. Rosie conducts health and fitness workshops and provides personal training services that help women gain confidence and self-esteem through fitness.

Apparently, I’m not the only person inspired by Rosie. A quick Google found mentions of her story on Facebook, FriendFeed, Twitter and blogs.

When we take time to look around our own neighborhoods, we’re sure to find examples of inspiration. For me, it’s the teacher who starts a 5K to raise money for schools or a 72-year-old whose race time in a 5K is faster than top finishers who are more than 15-years her junior. Who inspires you?

It Aint Called “Hotlanta” for Nothing – Tips to Avoid Heat Stroke

The summer heat has arrived here in Atlanta. The hot weather brings special precautions for runners. Heat stroke is a serious and deadly condition. It occurs when a person’s cooling system no longer functions properly and can lead to brain and organ damage.

Runners need to keep in mind that hot weather effects your pace and performance. Don’t strive to run the same PR at 80 degrees that you achieve at 60 degrees. This month’s issue of Runner’s World features stories and advice to stay safe in the heat. I recommend reading Truman Clark’s personal account of her near-death experience ... very sobering and informative. Here are some tips I found in the magazine:

· Run during the coolest time of the day
· Drink water or a sports drink 2 hours before your run
· When it’s hot, take your run indoors and hit the treadmill
· Keep your route to a shorter distance than you run in cooler weather
· Slow down your pace
· Stop running if you feel uneasy or disoriented
· Cool down your body temperature by drinking water and pouring some over your head
· Take a cell phone to call for help if you feel sick

This week’s running route is comes from Run.com. It’s a 5-mile run through Inman Park, Little Five Points and Candler Park. Click here to access the route map.

New Half-Marathon Series in Atlanta

If you ran the ING Georgia Marathon/Half-Marathon, you probably received an e-mail promoting a new road race coming to Atlanta. The 13.1 Marathon hits Atlanta on October 4. It promises to be lively, with southern rock bands along the race course. If you’ve never run a half-marathon, you may want to check out this event. It’s geared towards novice runners and walkers. The course is a bit odd – running from Oglethorpe University to Perimeter Mall and back, with a good portion of the route along Ashford-Dunwoody Road. It’s not as picturesque as the ING Georgia course, but it’s convenient if you live in Buckhead or Brookhaven. The cost is $55 if you register by August 20. Afterwards, the cost goes up to $70.

Runners: Take Care of Your Feet!

When runners talk about injuries, it’s typically issues with knees or hamstrings. But feet can be especially vulnerable to problems if you don’t take care of them. While I’ve been able to run with knee issues, a foot or toe problem leaves me on the sidelines.

Who Knew Flip Flops Could Be Bad?
Believe it or not, wearing flip flops for long periods of time can affect the health of your feet. Why? According to a story in the New York Times, people alter their way of walking which can lead to pain in the feet, hips and lower back. Flip flops don’t provide arch support, heel cushioning or shock absorption and the shoes leave toes vulnerable.

Walking barefoot is also not a good option. Aside from leaving your feet exposed to sharp objects (like broken glass and pebbles), it can contribute to collapsed arches and flat feet.

This doesn’t mean that you need to stop wearing your favorite pair of flip flops. Just limit use to short periods of time. The Foot Solutions Atlanta blog offers helpful tips for foot care and injury prevention.

Pamper Your Feet with Professional Pedicures
I love this piece of advice I found at Traxee.com. It’s important to keep toe nails short and properly trimmed. Pedicures also take care of calluses and moisturize feet and toes. While it may be tempting to save a few bucks by doing a pedicure at home, most people don’t do a good job of cutting toe nails properly. My own attempts to trim toe nails have occasionally led to hang nails –- very uncomfortable.

Give Your Running Shoes Time to Dry
Our feet sweat during runs, which can lead to moisture building up in your shoes. Do you run two or more days in a row? If so, consider purchasing an extra pair of shoes to alternate shoes between runs. This lets your shoes have an extra day to dry out.