Being SPOC

Being a SPOC... No not that Spock. I am not attending any Star Wars convention (see I have even managed to mix up Sta Wars and Star Trek) nor am I dressing as a Vulcan (or is it Klingon... again I am not a Trekkie and that can be damn confusing). No I was a Single Point Of Contact (SPOC, see) for the August edition to the Monthly MRR Training run. I had earlier been hesitant to take up this role (and still was) because of personal, however, this time decided to take up this challenge.

As a person, I am someone who over thinks and over stresses and at time goes over board, so the challenge was to keep all this in check. So fuelled by the Admins the machinery of the mind began to churn.

First went out the registration announcement and link, and then the post requesting volunteers. Got a bit tensed  when there were not many people coming forward to volunteer. But then because of injuries (the only time I am going to thank God for people getting injured) and people's schedule getting cleared, managed to get the required number of volunteers for the the four water station. 

Now, because of number of events happening around the same time, and people scrambling to get that all important timing certificate before the registrations opened for the Half Marathon at the TMM, the number of registrations were bound to be low. So the challenge was to try and boost registration. For once I got to thank God that my job allows me to think creative in other things by not needing to apply much creativity in my work. So was able to apply it to boost registrations and, allocate volunteers to the water stations and then based on the instructions,  informed the teams about the required water and bananas for their stations. 

As D-Day arrived, and information was received and dispersed, got to know there was already sufficient water in place, so again the message had to go out that there were no need to purchase water, leading to a bit of confusion. Then there was  Friendship Day ribbons to be brought and because of my laziness, left it to the very last moment. So had to sit up cutting ribbons (500 or so of them) till around 1 in the morning (is it right to say that or do we call it night). And then there was the small point of waking up at 3:30 in the morning. 

So D-Day arrived, the teeth brushed, the coffee drunk and all set for a  smooth run. Just needed to ensure that everyone and everything was in it's required place at the right time. Trying not to be a maniac, as only I can be, distributed the hydration and tried to ensure the right amount of water went to the right place without confusing myself and in turn confusing others. 

So once the run was flagged off and all the members dispatched to their station, just prayed that it didn't rain (this was just me being a bit selfish as I hadn't carried any protection from the rain. But then to my dismay, it began to pour. So quickly ran into a car and went off to my water station. On the way ensuring the volunteers were at their water station and ready. 

Reaching my water station, almost began to have a full on panic attack when I realised that the required water had not yet reached the station, in addition had not assigned anyone at the 10k turnaround point and forgot about the dustbin bag. Calling up the Admins was ensured that the water would reach there in time, the turnaround would be instructed to the runners, so there was no need to assign someone there, and we could use the empty plastics and cartons could be used to collect the garbage. 

That being sorted, so began our volunteering work. We held water and hydration out to thirsty, sweaty and parched runners. It didn't matter which group they ran with, we offered and cheered all. Some gratefully took what we offered, others gave a curt nod and mouthed a thank you and passed by, while still others just continued on their runs, like only a SoBoite could do. But this didn't dither us. We were there to support all runners and not just MRR and that was what we did. We offered water, smiled for pics, cheered enthusiastically and gave hugs.

Once the last runner went by, we quickly wrapped up the station and proceeded to NCPA, the end point. After the customary announcements and group pics, it was time to have a pic with the volunteering team. With grateful heart thanked the volunteer and then proceeded to help transfer the excess water (which rather miraculously seemed to have multiplied) and help clear the area. Thus bringing the curtains down to this experience.

Though tiring, at times nerve wracking, would I do it all again, if I was ever asked to do it again, the answer would be a hell yes, would surely do it all again in heartbeat. No matter what, Being SPOC is an experience to cherish.