Volunteer of the Month

August 2022 - Jessica Rudd and Tina Tait

Congratulations to our co-volunteers of the Month, Jessica Rudd and Tina Tait! Jessica is a data scientist and a founder of a software startup company and Tina is a full-time art director. Jessica and Tina have both been volunteering for Atlanta Track Club as run leads since 2014.

1. Do you remember your first time volunteering with Atlanta Track Club? If so, what event was it and what brought you back again?

Jessica: I'm pretty sure that first season volunteering with the fall half and marathon training program was the first time I volunteered with the club. Having spent several seasons as a participant from my first half marathon through several marathons (and my first ultra), I remember being really happy to be sharing the amazing experience with new participants.

Tina: After participating in a few of the Peachtree training programs and gaining confidence, my first time volunteering was In Training for Peachtree in 2014. This was back when we were at the Publix locations and I remember it so well because there were SO MANY BANANAS. My participants got very spoiled by me taking them home and turning them into banana bread. The rest is history as they say!

2. What is your favorite Atlanta Track Club event? I have three favorite Atlanta Track Club events.

Jessica: I feel like everyone will say Peachtree (which I do love) but there's something special about the 10 Miler. It's a tough race (hills hills baby!), but it always seems to fall on the first cool, fall weekend of the year. The change in weather gives everyone a boost! I also love the cheer zones at that race.

Tina: I would have to say Peachtree - the whole experience - from training to race day! I love to volunteer as a run lead for the season, then at the expo, then a start corral, and finally celebrating with our 10k parade!

3. What is one of your best memories from volunteering at any race?

Jessica: Volunteering for the Strategic Athlete Response Team as well as Women's hydration station #1 at the Marathon Olympic Trials is one of my best memories ever, not just volunteering. It was so windy on race day we had to hold the bottles down until right before the women got to us - it was stressful but really fun. I distinctly remember holding crew chief Courtney Strosnider's hand just before the first lap and getting a bit teary eyed.

Tina: I love volunteering to pace the back of the pack for the Thanksgiving half marathon. We try to keep it fun back there and we have made some wonderful memories along the way.

4. What is your favorite thing about volunteering with Atlanta Track Club? What brings you back?

Jessica: The participants for sure, and definitely the staff. The staff work SO HARD to make Atlanta Track Club events first class, whether it's a smaller, free Grand Prix event, or Peachtree. Helping them, even in a small way, execute their hard work makes me so happy.

Tina: The people bring me back for every volunteer opportunity. Whether it is my participants for InTraining or the long-time crew chiefs and staff that really value their volunteers and our time and commitment. Lifelong friendships have been made in this community and we continue to lift each other up (also through some very dark times) I cannot think of anything more powerful than that.

5. Do you do any volunteering in the community beyond Atlanta Track Club?

Jessica: I try to give back when I can as a mentor in the data science/technology world. I do career panels, mentor sessions, 1:1 mentoring via LinkedIn with younger students and folks in early stage career.

Tina: I volunteer as much time and talent (graphic design) as I possibly can and try to save all the animals in the meantime.

6. If so, what other organizations do you volunteer for and why?

Jessica: Technology Association of Georgia, Kennesaw State School of Analytics and Data Science, both for academic and career mentoring.

Tina: I'm passionate about the Free99fridge because there are so many ways to help - stocking/cooking, cleaning, organizing, donating, spreading awareness. Even donating your old takeout containers can help.

7. How many Atlanta Track Club events do you typically volunteer at during the year? How many events outside of Atlanta Track Club?

Jessica: I try to volunteer in at least some capacity for spring and fall marathon/half marathon training as well as Peachtree, although sometimes I'll take a season "off" and join as a participant (it's hard not to still act like a run lead those seasons though!). I volunteer at races when I can both run the race and do a volunteer role.

Tina: Usually 2 seasons per year of InTraining plus at least 6 more races. With my other volunteer time I like to shoot for every other week to stop by a fridge.

8. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for any new Atlanta Track Club volunteers?

Keep trying different volunteer roles - even sometimes ones that put you outside of your comfort zone (ahem - kids) you get to meet amazing people and hear great stories.

9. Tell us something interesting about yourself - an interesting fact or story that will help us get to know you…

Jessica: I was there when Tina went on the Today Show, does that count as my interesting thing? :-)

I pretty much tried out for every team sport when I was a kid. I was told by coaches often that I was "too fat" or "not athletic enough" for the school teams. But I always envisioned myself as a wannabe "athlete". When I found the Atlanta Track Club community, I finally started surrounding myself with folks who encouraged me to think of myself as an athlete. That "too fat - not athletic enough" kid went on to run 100 milers. In 2020 I set the goal to run 100 miles in less than 24 hours (you get a different medal for that!). I completed it in 22 hours and 44 minutes. #NailedIt

Tina: I have lost 130 pounds and I have blogged about my journey since 2008. In 2016 I was featured on the Today Show when I ran the New York City Marathon with my Kilometer Kids fundraising team. It was a day I will never forget and I got to spend over 20 minutes with my hero Al Roker! (www.fatathon.com/press)