Wayne's Words
August 7, 2004
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Topic: Being a Volunteer

I know, I know you're really busy because of your DAMN *#!*@#$&!!!!!! :
(Check the ones that apply)
_job
_racing/training
_kids
_wife/husband
_boyfriend/girlfriend
_house
_yard/ pool
_dog/cat/monkey
_ car/ truck/motorcycle
_clothes
_ bikes
_ stuff/ toys/junk
_eating
_sleeping
_ sexual activity (yea right)

But think about the last time you were racing, hammering on the bike, you're screaming downhill on a bike course you've never seen before, there's an intersection up ahead with cars going everywhere, who would you want out there controlling the situation?
Someone who does races, someone like you.
Plain and simple, without volunteers we don't have races.
Before my heart surgery, I never volunteered. I was racing and too busy (see above), it was someone else's job. The volunteers were there for me, It was all about ME, ME, ME!!!!!!!!!!!
After my heart surgery, when I couldn't race for a while, I volunteered for a lot of races.
At first I felt like crap because I wasn't able to race.
Then I started seeing people I hadn't seen in a while.
Then I started to empathize with the people racing, I felt their pain out there on the course and felt their joy when they finished, it got to be a very rewarding and insightful experience.
You also learn how much time, organization, money, blood, sweat and tears it takes to put on a race.
So be a good person, pick a race you weren't going to do because of your micro/meso cycle and be a volunteer.
Just one race a season.
The race directors will be forever thankful.
You would have done the right thing.
After you volunteer, you'll have a greater appreciation for those volunteers that are out there for you.
You'll realize that it isn't always about you.
Train smart, live right.

Next Week,
Wayne

whuckshold@yahoo.com