adventures in race directing

Today I was supposed to have run the Tualatin River 10 Miler.

I signed up way back in January, thinking about how this would be a great race to focus on some speedwork for - aim for a solid, sub 8 pace and rock it out.

Funny.

Instead, I ended up with a fully crap-tastic two months worth of sickness, poor training and vacation - so by the time this morning rolled around, I would have been happy with finishing.

Along the way though, I volunteered my services as web designer.  Then graphic designer.  Then flyer producer. Then...well, you get the picture.

Seeing my design on a shirt was super cool!

I wanted to see what race directing was all about.

And that I saw.

Lots of: headaches, planning, permits, meetings, designs, last minute changes, sponsorship seeking, question answering, route plotting, volunteer coordinating, details to check.

To every race director I have ever run a race under: THANK YOU!!!!  The job you do is huge.  The pay is certainly not worth it.  Well, unless you run the Hood to Coast...and then only maybe.

By the time the rain woke me at 4 am, I was exhausted.  My sinus is being a brat.  I gear up, but I'm already thinking the race is a no go.

I head to the start and set to the task of putting out informational signs on the course.  I figure it will take me 1/2 hour tops - it's not too far to run.  Except I can barely move.  And I have to walk a lot.  So 45 minutes later I'm done.  Done done.  No run for me.

Helping make it happen race morning.
Or standing around taking photos?

Instead, I busy myself with more race tasks.  I help set up tables.  I put out food.  I direct traffic on the course.  I help solve crises.  I pull bib tags as people finish.

Later, I help pull down water stops and load up the van.  All in a day's work.

It is a satisfying feeling, helping to pull something like this off.  But it is hard work, and I am happy to stand in the background, to design a website or two - but for now, I won't be directing any races.