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JACKED UP
PRESIDENT
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Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 21238
Location: www.johnnydu.com
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 Posted: 06/26/04 - 16:15 Post subject: The race: A learning experience.
Ok, so my race directing debut went off with just a few minor glitches. I had hoped for 30 runners, we had 24 and they were split pretty equally betwen the 5 and 10 K. Having T Shirts printed on site was vey cool! Pay a bit more per shirt but only get what you need. Plus, just cool to watch. We also had a popcorn machine there and giving popcorn to anyone who wanted it. It was a kinda fun thing for the families of the runners too. 
I had in the past few days decreased the amount of water stops as my 30 volunteers went to 22. Of course the #1 complaint on the post race survey, not enough water stops.  The 5K had 1 and the 10K had 3, so a couple more next year.
Next year we will probably do this race the week before. There was a run last night in a neighboring small town also, and that was also mentioned in the survey. I had actually suggested we check into other local events when choosing a date but the main sponsor chose the date.
One thing that I completely spaced out and was picked up by gretriever had to do with mile markers. I had the course very well marked but for some reason I marked miles 1-6 and neglected to mark miles 2 and 3 for the 5Kers who had the out and back course. The 10K started the same but continues on before looping around and getting back on the 5K course.
Was a bit embarrassed when medals were handed out though. The girl from the park district who ordered/picked up medals didn't sort them and they were engraved with the AG/place so digging through medals as they were announcing winners was kinda unorganized looking. I had seen that they were bundled up and assumed they were sorted somehow. Never assume anything. 
The highlight of the entire event was me, Miss Race Director who lead the pack out on her bike and then after biking back and forth along the 10K course protecting her runners from traffic, falls off her bike as she was following the last runner in. I was just creeping along at the time with a volunteer in a jeep right on my @ss.  I just lost my balance, was talking on my phone and over I went on the shoulder in the gravel. You can imagine what I said.  The runner in front of me started to come to my aid but I told him to continue, I was fine. My volunteer thought it was quite a graceful fall though. Or so he told everyone when we returned to the start finish area.
Ohhhhh, and the train. Race time was 10:30, a train came through at 9:40 and again at 12:30. Whewwwwwww.  Perfect!
Over all I'm very pleased with the way the event went. Lots of people came and shook my hand and said I did a great job, and every survey said they would come back next year and tell their friends!
Lots of work, I credit many people for the work they did, I'm just good at telling people what to do.  and where to go 
A very special thank you to gretriever who drove more than 2 hours to support me today. You are the best sweetie!
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 16:23 Post subject: Re: The race: A learning experience.
Congratulations Jacked Up!!! Sounds like your Race Directing debut was a success. 
| JACKED UP wrote: |
Ohhhhh, and the train. Race time was 10:30, a train came through at 9:40 and again at 12:30. Whewwwwwww. Perfect! |
you lucked out here!!! so happy for ya though. that might not have been too pretty.
| JACKED UP wrote: |
Over all I'm very pleased with the way the event went. Lots of people came and shook my hand and said I did a great job, and every survey said they would come back next year and tell their friends! |
it's a shame you didn't get more runners to take advantage of the race; it sounded better than any one i've run, seriously. i still think 1 water stop at a 5K is ideal. you'll probably double your numbers next year!
| JACKED UP wrote: |
A very special thank you to gretriever who drove more than 2 hours to support me today. You are the best sweetie! |
yowza!! way to go G!
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 17305
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 16:25 Post subject:
WELL DONE!!!
Sounds like your glitches were very minor and I would bet you'll have double your turn out next year! Congrats!
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 16:30 Post subject:
Well done.
Glad you were able to recognize what you need to do differently, but by what you wrote, everything looked pretty well organized
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Library Chick
Member
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Joined: 17 Feb 2004
Posts: 652
Location: On the Waterfront
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 16:33 Post subject:
Glad it went so well. Next year I'll be there for sure!!
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 16:45 Post subject: Re: The race: A learning experience.
| JACKED UP wrote: |
A very special thank you to gretriever who drove more than 2 hours to support me today. You are the best sweetie! |
Yes. I. Am. 
The credit belongs to you, Deb - I said that early and often. Last night she called - not worried, but anxious about this race. Cindy said to treat this like she was going to actually be running in the race - to just have fun. And you obviously did. It went off splendidly, and a big thank you to all the volunteers as well!
My race report will appear shortly.
DIS-CLAIMER:
1) I cannot be held any anyway responsible for anybody falling off their bicycle. People who spend their time socializing on their cell phones while riding a bike cannot pin the blame on me. Similarly, if I am running, a person on a bicycle cannot say that I was pushing them in front of a truck.
2) Your results may vary. Offer void in Ohio.
3) How do you like them apples?
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GaRebelRunner
Member
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Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 1097
Location: Tucker, GA
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 17:23 Post subject:
Very good job. I'm mildly surprised about your water complaints, though. I would think one water stop for a 5k and 3 for a 10k would be plenty. The Atlanta Track Club races only have one stop for their 5k and 4 mile events.
Having the tee-shirts printed onsite sounds like a really innovative idea.
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Sahara
Member
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Joined: 17 May 2002
Posts: 3345
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 19:17 Post subject:
Congrats! You sound overall satisfied with its performance AND you sound as though you enjoyed yourself despite the minor things you'll change for next year. Well done
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elkid
Member
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 20:11 Post subject:
Sounds like enough water stations to me. Most 5Ks here have one, and all the 10Ks I've done have 2 or 3.
Too bad this wasn't closer to me. Sounds like even I could've medaled. Nice job!
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 22:30 Post subject:
Good goin' Deb. Every bigtime event has gotta start somewhere.
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spongebob
Former FFL Champion
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 3602
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 23:36 Post subject:
You have more than enough water stops. You really do. Don't change that at all. Really. Adding more is a waste of time and effort.
If you were a half or full marathon, then go on the high end. But 5ks and 10ks typically have 1 and 2 stops, respectively.
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kattzoo
Member
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Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 3813
Location: Happily at the back of the pack
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Posted: 06/27/04 - 10:38 Post subject:
Great job! It sounds like a perfect race to me, and who the heck is complaining about the water stops??? Those sound perfectly normal for me, and I'm a back of the packer. Heck, I'm just grateful when there is water left.
Neat idea for the t-shirts. Love it!
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runaroundsue
Member
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Joined: 18 Sep 2002
Posts: 6629
Location: supporting GREENer pastures
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Posted: 06/27/04 - 14:12 Post subject:
if people feel there is a need for any water stops for a 5k.....maybe an educational running pamplet should be passed out....it ain't right.
Nice job directing
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 06/27/04 - 14:21 Post subject:
Good job, Deb! Sounds like an overall success.....and you know the first of anything is always a learning experience!! Way to go!
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Noley
AZhat
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Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Posts: 10494
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Posted: 06/27/04 - 14:32 Post subject:
Congrats to you!
It sounds like this race went well and it was organized. Not only did the racers enjoy it, but their families as well. What a great thing. This will bring people back next year for sure. It was nice to read that people went up to you to shake your hand and tell you this.
You worked hard and it all paid off.
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