Every Saturday morning, depending on the mileage, the LA Leggers will have a certain number of water stations available to runners and walkers so they can fill up on water, fuel, or seek some sort of First Aid treatment. Since the LA Leggers is an all-volunteer club, pitching in at some point during the season to help out our fellow runners and walkers is asked of us. Yes we pay dues, but that doesn’t give us the excuse to bail out on doing something that not only benefits others, but you as well. You get to help others who need you, while hanging out and getting to know your running mates. It’s a win-win situation right there!
Today was my pace group’s assigned water station duty and even though I’ve missed out on the past few Saturdays, I knew I wanted to be there to help out. Working the water station isn’t required, but it’s certainly nice to give something back to an organization that has given you a lot, and donating a few hours of your non-running time, really is the least anyone can do. Even if I was tempted to sleep in this morning.
Some people fret about the idea of standing around for a few hours with their fellow runners and walkers handing out water, talking, laughing, saying “good job” or a “looking good” to those doing the mileage, and providing support to those having a not-so-great run. This morning’s run was 22 miles (Yay 22!) and I was ready for water station duty! And I loved it!
Because the mileage was pretty high, we stocked the water station well with oranges, chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, Red Vines, grapes, jelly beans, Cheez-It crackers, pretzels with peanut butter, Pub mix, water, and coconut water. Lots of variety!!
A buffet fit for runners and walkers!
Sometimes it can be difficult to spot the water station because there are so many people out on the running path. Mentor Gloria brought some pom-poms so we could cheer people on. Plus, they were a little easier to spot from afar.
Gloria shaking her pom-poms
Cheering our Legger peeps on!
One Legger I haven’t seen in awhile is Lisa. She’s one funny gal and runs a very witty and clever blog called Here’s The Problem. By the looks of it, she’s ready for the LA Marathon and then she’s going to tackle New York in November. I’ll be cheering you on Lisa!
Lisa’s fit and fired up!!
And then I saw my friend Mike from No Cars Go getting some water.
Some other running clubs may only give you water, but not us Leggers.
Thinking about the oranges, but going for the cookies.
In between pace groups stopping by for water and fuel, we can have quite a bit of downtime. Mentor Gloria decided during one of these times, to make some snow shoes.
Get me to Mammoth!
Fellow Red Sox fan, Alvin, and his group stopped by to refuel on their way back. Many people did not do the full 22 miles. Some did 11, some did a little more, some did a little less. Either way, regardless of how many miles you’re tackling that day, you still get snacks.
Alvin is eyeing those cookies.
Next, I saw Naz from My Runner’s Almanac looking strong and ready for her next marathon. She just completed New York this past November and was all smiles during her run today.
Way to go Naz!
Wanda decided not to volunteer with us today and ran with another pace group.
Ready for some water.
So I mentioned in the previous post (My First Juice Cleanse) about trying to avoid processed food, well, this Pub Mix called out to me. I just had to try it and I must say, it was really good. As a runner I may need processed food such as this Pub Mix from time-to-time.
And as if the Pub Mix wasn’t enough, I tried a vanilla cookie. Why?! Why did I choose to eat one? Ugh!! Well I ate one. And then I got a stomach ache. Lesson learned.
Bad cookie! Bad!
Wow! Look who I have here…my friendly baseball nemesis Doyle (in yellow shirt) rallying his running troops.
“Hey guys, I’m becoming a Red Sox fan this year!“
Oh alright, Doyle most likely will not be a Red Sox fan this year, or any year, even if he might think about it from time-to-time. 😉
On Mike’s way back, he stopped by to chat for a few minutes. He didn’t complete the entire 22 miles, but he did as many as his body wanted him to do. We all have those runs that don’t go as well as we want them to. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share of them and will certainly have them again.
It was definitely a very fun morning seeing people I haven’t talked to in a while and getting to know people I haven’t gotten to know. Everybody needs support at some time and I’m happy I was able to offer mine today. Tomorrow we have our make-up run and no, I don’t plan on running with any pom-poms. 🙂
