Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts

Volunteering for 2017 TCS NYC Marathon

Let's run!

Well, try to run and jog, in my case.

I have been trying to find some exercise that I can regularly do and jogging  seems to be the best choice. I usually do it in the morning, while taking my Obi to her school. Then after a while, I feel confident to join a 5K again. Just like last year.

So, November is here and so is UN Run, or Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5 K.
Happy to join the run with the UN team, but this year I have something new.
I decided to volunteer for the 2017 TCS NYC Marathon.
Yuuuup! 

NYC Marathon.



The famous run in the city.
And probably in the world as well.
Thousands of people from all over the world joined this world-class marathon, hosted by the Big Apple. 
Since at least 70 thousand people participated, the organizer also needed many volunteers to ensure that this event was run smoothly.
Well, people might think that it was just a run, but having so many people, running for 26.2 miles for hours (at least 3 - 4 hours, except for the  winners :)), drop dead tired and still something simple like showing directions and distributing drinks or medals can be problematic. 

So, there I was. 
Joining the other volunteers to help the event a success.
My role is to stay at Finish Walk Off Zone 3.
At the very last part.

My credentials :)


As I quoted from NYRR.com, my spot will "Zone 3: Central Park-West Drive from 72nd - 77th St." And I will "direct over 50,000 runners to exits of Central Park. Congratulate marathoners, offer support, and cheer them on the way to their family and friends. Please note, this is a long shift that requires you to be standing up. Please register only if you can commit to completing the shift in its entirety."

cheers...

I have read all these requirements but I didn't really know what I signed up for LOL.
Well, it was my first time and I felt like I was ready for anything.
I was :).

So there I came down to the School for Ethical Culture at Central Park West.
So full of energy and super excited, I didn't read the announcement well and ended up walking along the closed zone for the marathon LOL.
Silly me!
But the good thing is, I managed to see and cheers the kids who were running for the marathon first!



After arriving at the School, I went directly to my designated class, where I meet my friends and make new friends, plus meeting our team leader Emil.
Emil has been volunteering for 35 years!
Yes, you heard me right, 35 years!
He is such a nice guy and he deserves to get that platinum medal.

Dear Emil..

Together with other leaders and coordinators, including Jeannelle,  Emil again explained  again what to do and what not to do.

cheers...

They explained further where we are going to be placed and what to expect, including some people suddenly collapsing in front of you or cursing you because they still have to walk a few miles after finishing the marathon.
This is important, because they need to ensure that the muscles and the legs shave enough 'cooling down' after running and jogging for such a long race. Otherwise, it will be dangerous!
This is a serious event and they have been doing it professionally.
I am again blessed to get the opportunity to be part of it. 




We were signed from 10.30 - 6 PM.
So at 10.30, we all went out of the School and walked along our zone, from 72nd to 79th street at Central Park West.
There are a few spots along the way and I took the post-race poncho spot, who need persons with loud voice. That is so me :).

post race ponchos..stay on the left lane :)
So I was there.
Six to seven hours standing.
Cheering the marathoners who have been done tremendous jobs.
and don't forget, directing those who want to take their ponchos (those having the poncho wristband) and those who want to pick up their bags.
It might sound super simple but having thousands of super tired people swarming at the same time can be challenging. In the beginning, it was only a few runners, but from 2 - 5 PM, those are the peak time where we have marathoners coming.



with XY and  Jiamin, plus Keith, my new friends at the spot :)

Besides cheering and directing, I helped spotting those who need medical attention and calling the medical team to those who need it. I also, surprisingly, helped the marathoners open their water bottles or pretzels. I gave my after bottles to some marathoners as well and help  directing them to the family reunion zone based on their last name.
I can imagine how tired they were after running that long!.
I saw those who were shaking but firmly wanted to continue walking.
I witnessed those who got sooo emotional holding their medals or walking slowly, hand in hand with their loved ones.
I saw those cheerfully calling their family and told them that they were okay and they made it! I also heard those who got angry with their friends who couldn't get into the zone and had to wait at family reunion zone.
See.. it was quite an experience.

good job, people!

And I did it!
So proud to be one of the volunteers for this event.
Although I was only standing there till my legs were killing me (after running 5k and storming factory outlet the day before :p), screaming on top of my lungs to cheer them and eventually use the bull horn,  I was so emotional when I got my volunteer pin as the appreciation for what I have done that day!

yaaay..

Aren't we all the winners that day!

So, that's my story about volunteering at the 2017 TCS NYC Marathon.
Truly an experience of a life time!
Happy to do it again next year, although I am scheduled to go home this July.
Well, you never know...I might be around the area and be able to join the event again, right!

Stay healthy, everyone :)



 



Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls

What a wonderful, busy week I have here!


After our lovely Halloween, last weekend I joined UN Run and volunteered for NYC Marathon!
How was your Halloween, by the way?



As for the 5K run and the volunteering, it was really an experience of a life time indeed.
From a mere spectator on TV, I finally decided to join the 5K and then volunteer at NYC Marathon Marshall Zone 3, near the finish line.


7 hours standing, rain or shine, and happily cheering those marathoners as well as providing directions.
It was super tiring but fun!

Shout out to all volunteers and of course marathoners :)

So, now..I am happy to invite you all again to our weekly party, Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls!

And I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to one of our Hosts, dearest Evija! 
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WW: UN Run - Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K

Abbott Dash to Finish Line 5 K is back and I am once again joining the UN team.



Run Together!
That’s the theme that we have this year.





I finish the 5K for 50 minutes hahahaha.
Too many photos and stops here and there :).
But it was really a fun and healthy well-spent Saturday indeed. 


 
With the Erma and Angie from the office and Thomas and his wife from Singapore Mission

join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and enjoy the linky party!

NYC Abbott Dash to Finish Line 5K

It's a been a while since I joined Abbott Dash to Finish Line - 5K. But I just manage to write the story about it now while heading to Geneve, Switzerland for a business trip. I hope y'all don't mind.


Soon we will celebrate Thanksgiving.
Here in the US and Canada, Thanksgiving is originally celebrated every year as a moment to say thanks and appreciation for all the blessing of the harvest as well as the upcoming years. It is the occasion when we express our gratitude for all those blessed days. In the US, it's celebrated every fourth Thursday in November.

And speaking about being blessed, I constantly feel grateful for all the blessings given to me and my family. Although it might be in a different context, but being blessed and grateful for what have been bestowed upon me and my family help me get through difficult and challenging times.

One moment I truly fee blessed is when I joined Abbot Dash to Finish Line - 5K.
Yup, the 5K run.



For many if you here, perhaps joining 5K run is nothing special. But for me, it's the first experience that is so enriching. Being a breast cancer survivor and had a life-changing experience during the recuperating process, I have been struggling to life healthier.

Never in my life I imagine myself joining a 5K run. Never!
Well, sport had never been my cup of tea, although I love yoga, swimming and diving so much. But running is surely at the bottom of the list. 

Then as I join Making Strides against Breast Cancer since 2014, I started walking and jogging for fun. The last Making Strides, I walked for a full 5 miles.

That surely boosted my spirit and when my colleagues asked whether I would join UN Team for Sustainable Goals 5K run, I decided to say yes!
Yes.. And then I just realized that I had no experience on it all, let alone the stamina required to finish it!

But then, when there's a will, there's a way indeed. I started to get myself used to the jogging and running with Rudi, my hubby by doing it every morning, plus some cycling session at home to help me with breathing. My hubby was super patience with me LOL, as I have zero experience on it at all.

rise and shine :)
After merely two weeks of continued exercise, I started feeling slightly more confident. Of course my pace is still horrible but the fact that I run at all is quite surprising, even for me.

A day before the race, I took the number and the t-shirt at Javits Center.
What a vibe! Everyone was sharing the joy of running and many of them joined the Abbott run and TCS NYC Marathon as well 

I arrived at 7.30 at the venue and tried to look for the UN team. We had photo session with everyone in the team and it was super fun indeed.

the UN Team..photo courtesy of Bo Li :)
cheers
Then at around 8.45 the run started.
I was a bit worried as there were so many people there.
Of course, Indah..it's one of the popular events here in NYC.
How if I couldn't finish it? How if I fall or tripped? How if I am running out of breath? 
How if....
So many 'how if' that are so disheartening but I manage to overcome it and make a mental note that I would do my best but I wouldn't force myself too much :). Besides, my colleagues Erma et Radi really encouraged me to try as much as I can.

Then I just ran.
Ran then brisk walked, ran again and brisk walked when I ran out of breath.
Pretty amateur but for me, it's not just the run, it's more like allowing myself to be out of my comfort zone and try something new and challenging.
It's about being so blessed with the current health I have and try to improve it.

I love the fact that other runners are so supportive as well. 
Regardless  whether you know them or not, they look at me and some other people struggling to constantly run and encourage us to continue.

Every mile, I took a selfie of myself (I know it slowed me down but couldn't help it :)) and I saw how happy I was!
It feels good to actually challenge yourself and do something new.

While almost come to the finish line, I felt like crying ... not for being exhaustive but for being so grateful to be able to do it. Previous years, I was stuck with chemotherapy and all other procedures as part of my race for a better health. And look at me now...Alhamdulillaaah.

Then, after taking pictures here and there, I finished the race in 1 hour LOL.
Tired, but super happy and feel ultra blessed! 

cheers...we made it!

That's my little story about NYC Abbott Dash to Finish Line 5k.
Have you joined similar event? How do you like it?

Hope to join more :)