Talk to me about volunteering at an IM event

Nice! I did the same thing for IMFL. (Volunteered for 08, signed up for '09). I worked the swim to bike transition bags. It was complete chaos. It was a blast.

My husband and I volunteered at IMFL this year and had 2 different jobs...worked at swim at eye glass table and water station and at the finish line as catchers.

Afterwards my husband said he didn't ever want to go on another vacation other than going to an IM it is that amazing. 

You get to be up close to the athletes, help them, encourage them and help them have a their best day ever. It is a great way to give back to the sport as well as learn about how the race works so you will be better prepared when you do it.

It is extremely rewarding and fun...sign up for multiple jobs if you can.

Might I direct you to my IMKY "volunteer report..."

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=130775&posts=23&highlight=IMKY%20volunteer%20report&highlightmode=1#M1646042

Was thinking about volunteering for IMKY myself this year, so thanks to the OP for bringing this up.  David, that post was awesome.  It was very informative and the details were just right.

Lora (IMKY 2011)

Voluntering at an IM event is amazing. I also volunteered at IMFL this year. Not only do you get to interact with the athletes you also get to see how things work.

I had one of the worst jobs ever at IMFL- Sunscreen applicator to Male athletes. They had to twist my arm to make me apply sunscreen to all of those buff, fit male bodies! NOT!
I worked in the afternoon in the women's changing tent. It is a honor to be able to help the athletes on such an important day. 

Then if that isn't enough you get to meet and party will all of the BT athletes and volunteers before and at the event. I wish we lived closer to more IM events.

I worked the finish chute @ IM FL this year. My original intent was to go as a spectator with my wife - we both wanted to see an IM-distance event up-close-and-personal. She knew if we went I'd bite; register for the next year's event. As it turned out she had to go on a biz trip, so I decided to volunteer - my buddy said it would give us first crack @ registration.

Since I was scheduled to work 6-9pm, I had more spare time than you can imagine. Great opportunity to watch the swim start, the first pros come out of the water/T1. After sitting through most of the swim, I had the time to grab a bite/coffee, relax, come back to T2 in time to watch the first pros come in. Very, very cool! I went early in the afternoon to see if the finish crew needed an extra hand...which they did...so I got to work the 3-6pm shift instead. Saw the top finishers/women's winner come in...wow...thatey look worse than the photos in the tri-geek mags show them.

The most mind-blowing thing had to be seeing the look of fatigue/pain/elation/accomplishment on each finisher's face as we handed them their medal, shirt, hat and watched them be walked to the end of the chute. A friend of mine missed his goal of going under ten hours at AZ, but managed to get it in FL...in the presence of two of his local compadres.

If I had any doubts about registering for IM FL 09, they were probably in that brief, five-minute period immediately after I paid the entry fee on Sunday morning...otherwise I'm stoked and slowly getting my collective act together.

After describing the experience, several of my best friends are going to do the same thing - volunteer, get the bug, and pay the $ for the next years' event.

My wife and I volly'ed for IMKY this past year.....we had a blast....as a previous IMKY finisher it was cool to get behind the ropes in a non-competitive fashion....

We both plan to be in Wisco volunteering this year so I can sign up for 2010...I'll also be racing at IMKY this Aug......so those of you that said you are going to be there...give a shout!

 BTW, there is NO better way to get a sense of what IM is all about and the emotions and struggles on race day than to be a volly!

 Cheers!
Paul

That was truly an amazing moment. I was screaming for her, praying for her, crying my eyes out in front of complete strangers. It was like the crowd and Mike Reiley literally pushed her feet and carried her to the finish line. I've never seen a crowd so ... electric. It was magical.

I had my mother-in-law volunteer at the medical tent at LP last year since she was in town while I was racing.  She had a blast and after I finished I waled over to let her know so she could be "relieved" and she was like, "I can't leave, look at all of my patients!"  She had a row of about 8 she was looking over.  I smiled, gave her a hug and hobbled back to get my bike.

I'll be volunteering at LP this year to sign up for '10.  But I have still not signed up for doing it yet.  I think I want to be a catcher or work in the bike area .......

This just gave me goose bumps!