volunteering can count as a workout, too

The night before the Nike Women\'s Half Marathon, I prepared important supplies for the next day: moisture-
On my way out, I\'ll wear sweaty clothes, sneakers and a few granola bars.
I was ready to play when I woke up
Go to the volunteer assistance station at the top of point Hynes.
I haven\'t run 13 yet. 1 miles.
But on the morning of April 27, I helped 15,000 others.
I found that volunteering can also be counted as an exercise.
Rick Amernick, president, Washington, D. C. C.
Capital Striders invited me to join about 140 members of his running group who will be competing in several places. (
More than 1,500 volunteers at the event).
I agreed before he mentioned 5: 30. m. start time.
\"My alarm clock rang too early,\" said 46-year-old Gisele Renly, who I found on a bike ride from Capitol Hill.
In the cold darkness, we were almost the only ones out there, so I guess --correctly —
She is a volunteer.
We are heading to the same station nine miles away.
As we rode up, I found out that Americk had a strategy in a bunch of places in Luna bar with our aid station captain Lindsay Marsh.
The first arrivals had already set up a row of tables and were moving boxes around.
Where do they want me to go?
\"Just find someone in need,\" Marsh, while picking up his cell phone to show directions to a missing volunteer, is also helping Amernick, who is working to build a pole that can fly race flags. (
\"I will have more fun after the game,\" he joked . \". )
Dawn tatte, 29, and Jeff Barker, 27, seem to need a hand to prepare some water tables, so I walked up to them.
The process is simple: line up paper cups and fill them with fine hoses attached to giant tanks known as \"Water Monsters.
\"Both of my partners volunteered to participate in previous matches, but never in such a large scale.
The hoses did speed up the process, Tarter explained.
Usually, we just need to use the kettle.
By the time Katie McCarthy, 29, joined us, we had covered every inch of space on the table, and it was time to test our balance: Buck grabbed a thin piece of cardboard and put it on it, we started filling the second cup.
Then, the third one.
The only reason we stopped?
Changes in clothing.
Game volunteer newbie like me McCarthy looks at her designated bag and takes out her T-
She also took three other tops, some shampoo and a beer bottle opener.
McCarthy pointed out that it was not bad, especially since she did not expect anything but some gratitude.
\"I \'ve always appreciated the people I was present while I was running, and I think I need to be on the other side,\" she said . \".
A team of nine miles of volunteers.
It has grown to about 40 people.
We soon got together to discuss our game plans.
Some will be cleaning personnel and others will be responsible for distributing a glass of electrolyte drink. (“It’s Nuun.
Don\'t call it happy . \")
Most of us will be on water duty, handing out cups and filling new ones as soon as possible.
Marsh, a liquor dealer, compares the whole experience to the experience of working at the Oktoberfest: \"Everyone is looking for something to drink.
\"Only she is more popular in such an event.
\"I\'m going to cry,\" she warned me . \".
\"I like 15,000 women of all shapes and sizes.
\"Amernick has different predictions.
\"The storm is coming,\" he said.
\"There were only 10 runners in the first 15 minutes.
And then you can see someone else in 15 minutes.
\"After that, expect chaos, which is why Amernick thinks it is important that members of the capital Rover are there.
\"We know how hard these runners are and we want to pay, not just pay,\" he added . \".
As promised, it was not so harsh at first.
With our original table ready, dozens of us joined the chorus --
Extend an arm and hold the side of the cup with your finger to form a line.
Most speeding people rushed past without catching anything.
When one of them does this, our group is as loud as we cheer for the women in the leadership team.
Then I only remember a blur.
For at least two hours, I don\'t think my hands are enough.
I can get water from our Jenga ASAP.
Esque display, the runners are knocking the cups back or throwing them on their heads.
We need to dodge people who cut a path too close to the table, and when the cup is accidentally thrown directly in front of us, we need to jump to avoid splashing.
However, what I can\'t miss is thanksyous.
So many athletes
Who ran nine miles! —
Take the time to greet the volunteers.
When I filled her water bottle with water, a woman declared, \"You are my life-saving straw.
So we were still excited when the crowd began to decrease, and we directed that energy to cheer the Rangers.
There\'s screaming and jumping.
Then, when the last person passed by, there was cleaning.
Volunteers with harrows kept the road open.
Now, we put the crushed Cup in the garbage bag, poured out the excess water, and the table collapsed. By 10:30 a. m.
We have reached the finish line.
McCarthy said it was an educational experience and she worked out some strategies for the next race.
She now knows to make a straight line for the last water level of a station (
The first one was completely besieged)
, Forgot to try to throw her cup into the trash can. (
This has cut people off, and there is no good. )
We\'ll all learn something else the next day, Marsh said: \"taking the cup out will make your arms sore.
She added with prophecy: \"Our throat will be hoarse because of shouting.
\"I once said that volunteering in a marathon is as difficult as running.
Now that I \'ve run one, I don\'t feel that way anymore.
But it\'s very close, \"Marsh said during a final inspection of the station.
There is only one thing left to do: go home and take a nap. We’d earned it.
Consider reaching out at these upcoming events. }
The classic Capitol Hill (May 18)
This is the 35 th anniversary of the community\'s tradition, including 10 k, 3k and entertainment for the children.
All those involved
Starting with the competition director-
He is a volunteer to raise money for public cluster schools on Capitol Hill. www.
Capitolhillclassic. com. }
Endurance challenges in the North (June 7-8)The D. C.
The capital rover will pitch for the two players at the algonkean Regional Park in Sterling
Day run festival.
Activities include 50K and 50-
This should be particularly encouraging. www. thenorthface.
Com/en_US/endurance-challenge. }
A lawyer has a heart (June 14)
The start and end of the American Heart Association fundraiser in Georgetown is the region\'s largest 10k fundraiser and will be the Road Runner club for the US regional championship this year.
A volunteer job: Do a snow cone machine. www.
Lawyershaveheartdc. org.
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