Volunteering at Big George Tri

Volunteering is a great way to help out while you can't race, or even if you can and want to give back.  I had a great time this weekend at the Big George Tri in NY.

Since my husband was doing the HIM, I signed up to volunteer.  First shift was kayak volunteer for the swim, then I directed traffic at a three way intersection on the run - the first loop, second loop and finishers all came through and so we had to keep everyone on track (lest we have a Jay-incident and someone get lost!)

We drove up Saturday and hit the race check-in right when it opened, got DH's bike racked up and then drove the bike course.  For being in the Adirondack region, this is pretty damn flat.  There's one slow slog up for the first three miles, then it's flat until you hit Brenton Lake, then a few short rollers.    The run course is mostly a rail trail, so we couldn't drive that - but our recon said it would be hilly (and it was).

Sunday AM started off at volunteer check in at 6am.  Got the kayak unloaded, said good luck to DH and then got my instructions and got on the water.   I was actually more nervous for this than I think I was for any of my own races!

My view of the shore (it was ridiculously muggy, can you tell?  Dew point was about 72 for this race, ugh)

And the first swim wave passing my kayak:

After the last wave went out, someone yelled from the shore for a few of us kayakers to come swing back.  We were told that there were people showing up well after the last wave went out who thought the race started at 8.  (it started at 7!!)   So we had to make sure they got out ok.  I don't know how you don't double and triple check start times, but at least a few of them didn't.    The swim is a straight out and back, pretty typical.

One of the final waves was a pink capped women's wave.   I was monitoring the folks coming in (making sure they were aiming to hit the correct location to get out) and all of a sudden - there was a pink cap.  She had to have lapped at least three waves ahead of her!   Amazing.  Then I found DH in the mass of swimmers and snapped a few photos as he passed.

Once the swim was done, I was assigned to transition assistance.  The nice thing about this race is that the transition for swim-bike and bike-run and finish are in the same place and right by the water.   This meant that I could see pretty much the whole race, including DH, which obviously important for me.  

My view of the lake and transition:

At this spot, we had to guide people coming out of transition onto the first loop of the run, people starting the second loop and then people heading back into the finish.    The first man came through to start the run at about the ~3:10 mark followed by 3-4 other men.... and then the first woman about 5 minutes behind.   At this point, I texted a friend to say that I thought the woman could win the whole thing because she was FLYING by the men.

At about the 3:45 hour mark DH came by and was so busy fiddling with his damn Garmin that he missed my high five.   Like, ran right by me.  LOL  All the other volunteers and spectators got a good laugh.    I knew he was having a great race at this point, and was hoping the humidity wouldn't kill his run, which is his strongest leg by far.

The run is tough at the end of a HIM.  It's an out and back that you have to do twice.  Yuck.  First two miles up, then a little flat, then two miles down, repeat.  

The first man came though the first loop.... and guess who was in second? Yep, the woman!  She passed all the other men, and was now on the first man's heels, only about two minutes behind him.    The crowd who had gathered at our intersection knew she was kicking butt - the roar was pretty awesome for her as she started the second loop.

A lot of the runners starting the second loop looked gassed.  It was a rough day for a run, let alone one taking place at the end of a swim and a bike ride.   The crowd support was great and all the volunteers were really into the day, and making sure everyone had whatever they needed and knew where they were going.   It was a lot of fun to help out.

DH heading for the second loop - me making sure he sees me for a high five!

The woman did end up winning the whole damn thing.  By a minute.  She didn't catch the first man on the course though, that would have been even awesomer.    DH ended up with a great sub-6 hour first half Iron. 

I went to spectate the Providence "Official Iron Man" HIM last year and I have to say that Lake George was a much better experience.  It was low key (200 racers, as opposed to the 5000 of the official IM) and with a great set up - not needing to take shuttles or have to worry about parking or getting to a different transition area etc.  If you're looking for a good half IM, this would should be on your list!