Perks of Being a Race Volunteer
Out of all the volunteer options during a half-marathon I picked the food tent because I wouldn’t need to get there before the race and I wouldn’t have to stay long after the race. It was a good pick for several reasons, but being paid in food was one of the biggest perks. Of course I also enjoyed being able to congratulate all the runners… they were very appreciative of the food volunteers. So back to the details of the biggest perk: While volunteering from 7 AM – 11 AM the women in charge kept taking nibbles of the food and offering me nibbles and then when I was leaving they insisted that I take food home. I left out of there with a box full of Panera bagels, grapes, pretzels, bananas, and mini Clif-bars. I was most excited about these:
I think these are the perfect size Clif-bars. I haven’t had the Cool Mint Cholcolate yet so I will let you all know what I think of it once I do. I froze some of the bagels and I’m going to save the bananas until they get nice and brown for some banana bread!
For breakfast this morning I had banana oats within and flax and Udi’s vanilla almond granola on top. I did something different with my oats and had a spoonful of PB on the side. I know this isn’t that different because a lot of other bloggers do it, but new to me. And my thoughts… it was a great addition. It was sweet so I didn’t need any sf maple syrup or brown sugar and I didn’t get hungry for a snack all morning. BUT I need to try it one day when I am home all morning though because I went out to the gym and to the Verizon store and didn’t get home until lunch time. Usually I don’t get as hungry when I am busy, whereas when I am sitting at home I go for a snack… most likely a boredom eating thing. Anyone else have this problemo? Any solutions?
For lunch I had baked tortilla chips with peach salsa from Trader Joe’s. Which was quite smoky and spicy, just as the label touts. I had an Amy’s california veggie burger on an Ezekiel english muffin half with tomato, ketchup, feta cheese, and onion. And a few grapes from my volunteer experience. I’m stuffed- off to take a nap and wait for Isaac to get home from a frisbee tournament.
Free food is the best! Excellent work.
Heather
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So awesome that you got free food!! I’ve never seen the cool mint chocolate bars before – I’m excited to see what you think!
I always eat more snacks when I’m not busy. It seems counterintuitive because when I’m busy I’m usually more active and could probably use more fuel…but sometimes life is just weird. I don’t really know how to solve it — I’ve just gotten used to it, haha.
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I’m totally the boredom eater extraordinarie! I try to plan stuff to do after I eat so that I don’t give in. But that only works about half the time.
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Yay for free food!
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I still have not done a race where they hand out Clif Bars, only Clif Shot Blocks. But you are super lucky with all of your finds. I love all the free stuff at races!!
Also I love baked tostitos with my veggie burgers, so great meal:)
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Trader Joe’s? Where is one of those around here?
Yay for being a volunteer! My dear husband is running the Richmond 1/2 marathon in November!
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Hangry- I agree.
Eating Bender – I know! I try to get used to my snacking habits by having smaller meals and healthy choices because I know I will want snacks.
Eric – I know – I wish I could be better at it.
Aimee – Come to Richmond, Va and do a race. They are saving the left over Mini clif bars for the next race
Christie – There isn’t one around here yet.. I went to Fairfax the other day. They are building one in Short Pump though, pretty close to the new Whole Foods. WFs is opening Sept 3 and TJs should be soon after.
I am running the Richmond 1/2 as well, it will be a first for me so I am pumped.
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Hi guys,
The mint Clif Bar has green tea caffeine… that’s the real energy boost. Speaking of which, caffeine and chewing gum are my secrets to beating the boredom munchies. Either suppress the appetite or just having something in your mouth…
Also, this is the only post I’ve read, but I’ve noticed the emphasis on carbohydrate dense food and endurance runs. I’ve been reading a lot about low-carb diets and performance recently. I can’t quite play devils advocate, because it looks like you need carbs for performance. I read this very recently:
http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/1/1/2
Great read. It points out that if you’re competitive, you need carbs for singular bursts of speeds (close to the finish line). But it also makes the point that endurance isn’t lessened by a low carb diet. Anyway… though that might be interesting.
Jason
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