Quote:
This is NOT accurate at all. She HAS to race a certain course which is identical to the pro's and finish within 10% of the winner's time, with a certain required prize purse.Quote:
No race, then after 2 years her license would expire. I speak from experience on this.Quote:
So if she has no unfair advantage, what is the issue? What's next, if you have a coach and/or know how to train without being stupid or getting injured, then you shouldn't be eligible for any races, except elite? Does anybody on this board understand the f-ing difference of competitiveness and commitment requirements that the elite level has over age-group? Susan just smoked the field, and if you put her in a WCS race next weekend, she would get smoked, and she knows that, it's why she retired in the first place! She understands the difference, that's why she said there was no pressure at this event.I don't think there is an issue, but I'm guessing this is more directed at others, and not me. I agree with you here...
Quote:
So, if you're actually deserving of competing for an age-group national title, you shouldn't be allowed to? If you're just barely good enough to be considered elite, then you should have to go get your ass kicked in the elite ranks? You do realize that this would continue to lower the bar further and further, and eventually, we'd all be elites. Maybe then the bitching would stop.Fundamentally, I think that athletes that are good enough to be pros shouldn't be competing at AG Nats. I don't feel too strongly about this, but it's just a thought on how to increase fairness a bit. Here's why: dudes like Duffy can get away with sandbagging for years by racing at the AG level when they should be racing at the pro level. I think there need to be additional rules in place to prevent certain people from competing as age groupers indefinitely. I don't personally have a problem with it, but there are a lot of people that do, and the stink that has arisen as a result of Susan's win is proof that it at least matters to some people. Why not move up to the pro ranks as soon as you're able? What's the worry about getting your ass kicked as an elite? It's like you're arguing that it only matters how badly you get beaten if you're racing with the pros. If you do a race that has a pro and amateur field, anyone (pro card or not) going a 2:00 when the winner goes a 1:50 still loses by 10 minutes. I took the opposite route from Brian. Instead of waiting, collecting ridiculous quantities of accolades for my accomplishments as an age grouper, I got my pro license as soon as I possibly could, and I've been getting my ass kicked ever since. I understand Brian's rationale for not moving up now (wants to race Kona, and qualified as an amateur), but several years ago when he raped every Olympic distance race there was he probably should have moved up. The bar may be lowered a bit, but technically Rudy and Brian have both been qualified for their pro licenses for forever now, so the next 3 guys could have qualified had Kahsar and Duffy decided to take a pass on AG Nats...
Quote:
"Excuse me, you're disqualified for being good."__________________________
I tweet!