IMAZ 2012

Tim - that is awesome bro!  You are going to have such a blast, and will rock the course.  You totally smoke me on the bike, but if you want to train with anyone on the bike or run course down here, let me know - I will be happy to get out there with you.

Oh yeah, how could I forget - I am in for 2012 as well!  Back to TTL and Beeline Hwy for another round of pain and glory!

Dude, that's awesome! Did you go straight from the finish line to the registration table? I may take you up on the bike and run course. It's always nice to get a look at the course before racing on it.

HA HA, it would seem like it, huh?  Actually, had to sign up for next year the day BEFORE this year's race, so I was committed even before I had tackled this one (whew, I am glad I made it!).

I tell you, the many times Pilon and I rode the course prior made a world of difference.  I have many mental notes of buildings and other points that I used to keep me updated as to each slight elevation change, etc, and it made the ride much more fun and comfortable.  And running the course helped me set my run/walk plans in regards to distance and map points rather than trying to time it out (much easier for me).

2012 is going to be fun!

You do not "have" to volunteer at IM AZ to sign up for the next year, but it definitely gives you a better opportunity to not be locked out.  After current athlete sign-ups for the following year (current athletes have the ability to sign up a day before this year's race if they choose), the next group to be given priority are the volunteers.  You line up Monday morning after the Sunday race and you get a chance to sign up before it goes to general registration (which sells out in 10-20 minutes).

So you can risk it and go for general reg, but you might be out of luck if there are people with faster fingers than you on the PC.

Volunteering at IM AZ is awesome anyway, so the sign up benefit for the following year is just icing on the cake.

I'm in!  I volunteered this year at bike handling (LOTS of energy, had a great time), gear bags (pretty boring but helpful to the athletes at the end of their day), finish line catcher (inspiring experience), and the registration tent Monday morning.  Someone on here recommended doing the reg tent the day after in order to serve as a volunteer/get registered, best advice ever.  I got myself registered then did my four hours registering other folks.  It was much better (for me) to be doing something rather than to be sitting in that ridiculously long line.  It was also a good time seeing everyone get excited to be registered.

Now I need an IM training plan.  Good luck everyone!

I'm in. I've volunteered every year since 2006 and love it. I'm a massage therapist and work the massage tent each race. This time I will be receiving massage instead of giving. I also work registration, usually USAT membership. They did it different this year which I think works better.

Thanks to all the volunteers and organizers for 2011 IMAZ. Everyone works together to make this such a stellar event.

See you all on the Beeline!!!

THANK YOU SIR, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER!!!??

I am in for 2012, my 2nd IMAZ. Volunteered last month @ Run Aid #1: The Pirate Gang. Loads of fun and VERY satisfying supporting all those hard working runners.

Here comes another year of hard but (mostly) enjoyable training. I look forward to smarter run training. Everything else seems to take care of itself.

SunshineEstrella - 2011-12-01 6:09 AM Thank you everyone. I am getting excited about it already! Steve we should hook up and volunteer together. I like the idea of volunteering at the pre-register tent after Sunday and volunteering at aid station #4 too. By the way Anne Wilson's coaching has been awesome Steve! I will keep you updated on my progress.

Volunteering at the pre-register tent sounds like a plan. On Sunday I want to be a stripper (wetsuit type) and maybe hand out finishing medals. Keep me posted on how it is going with Anne Wilson.

Flying in from Afghanistan and waiting in line for 6 hours is the least of the "trouble"....Pretty big commitment if you're still not sure that it's even worth it.