TOPIC: Gencon volunteers

So I signed up to be a volunteer but not sure I like the 24 min break that we are given. I'm sure I might want to get food and eat it but don't think that is enough time. What have you done on your breaks? Do you think that what you do will change cause of the new location?

no idea what food will be in the new area..but 24 minutes was enough time to run and get a sandwich or burger from the food court and time to eat(i always brought it back to TD just incase time was running low

As a Volunteer DM I always brought water bottles and food/snacks with me during my shifts. Luckily, as a DM, I was able to keep my bag with me and stash it behind the "secret curtain" of whatever Rooms I was DM'ing.

Now that we are at Lucas Oil Stadium we'll be closer to the curbside food trucks. I've sampled some since they've been doing it the past few years. The food is really great and inexpensive.

But, to answer your question... Yes, 24 minutes is plenty of time to eat, drink, be merry, and take that bathroom break you'll desperately need. If you have a Volunteer shift that you can sneak yourself a drink or food during time lags, you'll find you aren't in need of a big meal or lunch/dinner during that 24 minute break. And, remember, it's actually better health wise to eat often and a little bit during a day than to have 3 big meals.

Ro-gan wrote: And, remember, it's actually better health wise to eat often and a little bit during a day than to have 3 big meals.

This is heavily debated. There are studies that show it is more healthy to eat one large meal/eat only during a 2-4 hour stretch and fast the rest of the day.
Eating lots of snacks will help keep your blood sugar (and thus insulin) level, but that can result in insulin resistance.

...but really, everyone is different. Just avoid the processed foods as much as possible and eat quality foods (especially vegetables and meat).

The excitement of DMing makes it easy to forget to eat. But, it has been easy to grab something during the break. With the new location, I'm not sure what it'll be like.

I pack some emergency rations of granola bars and Jolly Ranchers in my pockets in case I get peckish.

Coaches and DMs should always start their shift with a fistful of hard candy. I talk and shout more during a shift than I do in an entire normal week, so if I didn't drink extra water and suck on candy all weekend, I wouldn't be able to talk at all by Saturday.

If you book it out and back and don't mind eating in the hall it's usually doable to get a sandwich. Especially places that do online/phone pickup (Noodles usually my goto).

Otherwise health/snack bar of choice will get me through a shift. Obviously this year we will need to find out what is convenient to the new location specifically.

If the food trucks are near, it would be interesting if TD could partner somehow with one or more food trucks. And have a system for volunteers to pre-order/pay for meals and have them delivered to the TD area on time for their breaks.

The food truck would have to be really good with following a schedule, and dropping them off in time.

Edit: or is this completely not doable because of a outside food policy at the stadium ?

Having seen the lines at the food trucks, I don't think they would be a good option for DMs on a break.

bpsymington wrote: Having seen the lines at the food trucks, I don't think they would be a good option for DMs on a break.

I was thinking the same. But if your break is at an off-time it could be an option.

I wonder if there will be food vendors within Lucas Oil itself?

I agree with kurtreznor -- get your body used to very low amounts of glucose so it will start running on ketones. You will be less tired, eat less food, eat less often, and lose a bunch of weight. Keeping your blood sugar constant is actually a bad idea for most people, especially those who already struggle with weight.

And stay away from granola bars, they are typically full of sugar. With all of that being said I do think it would be cutting it close to go to the food trucks on a 24min break since the lines can be crazy. Personally I bring a selection of healthy snacks (nuts, cheese) and protein bars to eat as necessary during my breaks.

Order from Jimmy John's. They will bring it to you, and you can meet them at street level.

As a coach I always packed a lunch. Typically I'd find my next room, if anyone was there already I'd ask if they mind, then eat and chat with my next group. This actually gets me ahead of the curve since I have the party done before they are ready to officially start. This allows me to move on to the next group and stay ahead. Yes you bounce back and forth from room to room more often this way but staying ahead of the time is better then getting behind. The groups seem to like the extra time with the coach. even if its a little unorthodox. Just make sure you ask first. Eating in from of people can be bad.