You've been voluntold!

Happy Friday from the best view of downtown Calgary. Sometimes it can be tough to motivate yourself when you see our deep blue sky combined with a ray of sunshine. Add the smell of spring and you have a glorious day, even with a touch of winters' chill.

What is your office view?

Speaking of great views of downtown, let's meet for our Saturday rendezvous at Max Bell Arena, located at Memorial Drive and Barlow Trail NE. You can't miss it. It has to be the brightest arena around, clad in red and white bold bricks. I think I own the shirt! See you at 9 am. Still not bending for eight, unless someone wants to convince me???

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It is coming hard and fast. You can feel it under your feet. You can see preparation on the paths. You can hear the creaking bones of the long winters lag in training. You can smell the sweat of hard work. And perhaps you have touched the keyboard to accept the need - It is for the trotting season. Yes, we all have our favourite events that we must do, Winterstart, Mother's Day, Police Half, Calgary Marathon, etc. We would do them all but our body refuses to be beat that way (well, except for Greg who does 52 events a year minimum), and our pocketbook probably can't afford the travel. I have a great way that you can do many more events a year - volunteer!

Every race we do is staffed by hundreds like minded people who pass you water, spread Vaseline on your wounds, who hand you the medal around your neck, who make sure you know where you should go. Races require manpower to support their movements of trotters and ensure safety is part of your experience. I have a rule for us: you need to volunteer at least one event for every two that you do. That is many weekends of dedication but the need is important. If no-one shows up to volunteer your favourite event, it will not happen!  Can you imagine a Winterstart without the free beer hander-outer? How about Mother's Day without the Rose for the moms person? How could you finish a marathon without the water person at 36 km? And what about the pace car driver???

Ally, this is your ride!

We are in need of volunteers for the first big three events of 2013. The Calgary Police 1/2 marathon, Mother's Day, and the Calgary Marathon. Have you ever wanted to do your fastest 10 km ever? I do need a pace car driver for the Calgary Marathon 10 km! Ally is driving the half and she has a sweet ride!

Contacts:

CPSHalfMarathonVolunteers@calgarypolice.ca

tbirss@forzanifoundation.com

cheryl@calgarymarathon.com

I haven't done any of these events since 2006 as I do believe that volunteering is way more fun than the sweat! Perhaps this might be the cause of the extra 30 pounds since then...

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And finally...

Have a great weekend. 

John