here for anyone who may be interested-
I don’t know anything about this race, this year or last, but it is refreshing to see critical but fair critique, improvements, and praise occur in our sport.
Way to go both Tom and 3Disciplines for being good role modles for all.
It is hard to write about topics like this. I am continually second guessing myself- as though every reader is sitting on my shoulder when I type:
-Am I being fair?
-Am I being accurate?
-Am I back pedalling?
-Am I writing fromt he perspective of my own agenda only?
In the end, I hope it is reasonably fair and accurate for all parties.
Realistically, I would rather write about fun races, great training rides and interesting characters- but our web traffic numbers indicate the controversial stuff pulls a ton of traffic. So I guess it is about my agneda afterall…
Great they did a good job for 1 race. Good for them. But this is 3d you talking about - they are putting on 20 races.
As the season goes on resources will dwindle, favors fade, and enthusiasm waver. If after 20 races they are still doing a good job then I’d consider racing in a 3d race again. Until then it’s a buyers market and I’ll be driving out of state to race.
Tom I hope you do a 3d triathlon later in the season. Maybe the half IM they are putting on in August?
Dan
Opinion is always fair whether people like it or not. It seems that your previous article pointed out problems and the new article stressed that the problems were addressed. Both sides seem to have done their part to make the race better this year…
I’m already registered.
Tom, good article. It is a credit to you that you redress the subjects that you commented on last year and that due import is given to the improvements carried out.
By the way where is the photo at the top of the piece from?
Standing on top of Diamond Head two weeks ago in Hawaii.
Thank you for your compliments.
I thought I vaguely recognised the view, I recall it from a short visit on the way home from the Big Island in 2000. You are welcome for the comments credit where credit is due.
Great editorial Tom. I raced Willow last year, in fact it was my first multisport race ever. Yes, I was one of the people who went off course, I had a similiar incident at 3D’s seahorse challenge. Only this time I carefully scouted the entire run and bike course first. End result was that of about 30 duathletes only myself and the overall winner ran the entire run course on the first leg. At the corner where everyone went wrong, I asked the lone volunteer “which way?” he replied with “Hell I don’t know”. Second run saw several volunteers at that corner. I also did 3D’s Paul Bunyan Challenge 1/2 iron duathlon. That was a great race by my estimation and the reason I am doing a couple of 3D events this year. Willow was definetly a better race than last year, I won free entry into the Seahorse at the Willow raffle and will see if this race is also improved.
I’m considering doing Seahorse also given that there is nothing else happening that weekend- unless Maumee Bay is that weekend. That race rules.
Tom if you do seahorse make sure you drive the bike course. It is a little confusing in one spot. Not that the map isn’t accurate or the course isn’t marked. This one area just makes more sense if you look at it first instead of at 25 miles per hour on a bike.
if you do seahorse make sure you drive the bike course
Hey Jim
I didn’t race at seahorse last year ( I was on site to photograph), but I did a triple brick on the course on the Saturday before the race to familiarize myself with the course. I can tell you this, by the 3rd lap on the bike course, I was not looking forward to the Rollers on the back side of the loop. Pretty good hills for southern MI.
Nice job at willow. I looked for the hawiian shirt but didn’t see ya.
Scott
Scott, it was too damn cold for the Hawaiin shirt. Turned into a good race anyway.
Thanks TD for holding their word and print the article they said they would if things went well. too many times the good things/changes go unverbalized.