Markemmanuel

I sat out the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle this year and decided to give back to the running community. I woke up super early to get there by 6:30.  Nature continued her bad joke on us while I drove to aid station #1.  Snow and rain continued fall.  The sun nor most of the registered runners were awake.  Rising early was well worth the effort.  I met new people and interesting people, I saw a different a race from a different perspective, and hear the kind words of other runners.

I arrived fifteen minutes before the assigned time.  I snagged a great parking spot I thought.  Little did I know was that large parking lot will be filled by the warming bus, the Cristo Rey bus, and a small handful of cars.  (I could have slept 15 minutes longer.) Volunteers came from all over.  Some drove from the suburbs, took the train in the city, or came with a volunteer group on a bus like the fine young students at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.  We waited in the rain for our assignments and shirts.

The wind challenged our water pouring and cup stacking skills for a good part of the morning.  Valerie, Devon, and I conquered the challenge.  We didn’t lose a cup while pouring and stacking the cups!  The water table looked so beautiful that we had to take a photo with it.  Are we great Fleet Feet Chicago volunteers or what?! We made a run to Starbuck’s to warm our hands.  I decided not to get a coffee because I’d be sad when the warm drink no longer flowed into my chilly body. Not only did Starbuck’s finally open, it stopped raining just in time for the race!  Yay!

While waiting for the runners, Connie (AKA Marathon MissfFit) came up to introduce herself.  It’s pretty awesome to meet someone from Twitter/blog-o-sphere.  We chatted.  She needed Starbuck’s and I needed the warming bus. We ran off to get what we needed. (Connie is on the left rocking the scarf and the blue rain coat.)

The music started.  We returned to our chilly positions next to our table.  The elite runners flew by.  Corral A bibs whizzed by.  Among the corral B bibs, I saw Patrick!  He was so fast I couldn’t take a photo of him.  All I have was a blur of runners after him.

Luckily, I captured a photo of Art in corral D.  Run Art!  Run! After the first wave, a mass of humanity ran by. Thousands of runners streamed through the aid station receiving the water we passed out.  It’s amazing seeing people running, walking, and waddling past us.

It seemed a race and fun run brings out the best of people’s physical capabilities and hearts.  So many runners ran by thanking us for volunteering.  Runners donned shirts from current and past fund raising events.  Good vibes emanated here.  Good vibes all around.

At this point, we got angry with all the mess and dumped the water over. Just kidding! After the last runner trotted by, we cleared the streets of paper cups. We were dumping the cups during strike and clean up. We raked the cups and shoveled them into garbage bags.  The garbage truck rolled by as we tossed the refuse in the back.

I didn’t go to Grant Park after the race.  I went back home and to greet my brother.  I was surprised and excited to see him early in the race.  It’s a shame the camera was too slow for his speed.  Patrick improved his time by by two minutes and thirty-five seconds.  Art improved his time as well.  I had a good time volunteering and meeting new people that day.  What’s next?  The Soldier Field 10 packet pickup is in May.  After volunteering a few events, I might consider applying to be a key volunteer for the Chicago Marathon.  Maybe I’ll see you there!