Because most respect the race organization for the things they have done in the past and want to see this series succeed. HFP has put on good races. It’s an intriguing distance and it is always good to have more quality races on the schedule. I am looking forward to trying the 101 in Racine next year if that happens.
So I think you either continue to support the 101 series and be as positive as possible about it, or just vote with your money and don’t sign up for any future events, but what good does it do to “rip” the organization for what looks like a run of bad luck in getting their first year of the series off and running.
I agree with folks comments, but again, no one really answered the basic question. That is, do we not want to see more races, in more areas, in
more distances? If so, we do some seem to rip some RD’s and races or organizations, but take others and praise them? I have not ripped 101, or
NA or WTC or ITU or USAT. But, many on ST sure love to rip many of these groups. So again, seems to me we either are supporting ALL the efforts
of folks for our sport and stay positive, or say nothing at all.
Mark, yes I am fully aware of issues that come up since yes, I have been an RD. But again, this was not my question, as I just restated above.
This from ‘Shakespear in Love’ where Henslowe and Fennyman discuss what to do after the theater has been closed by the plague (what’s a bagatelle?)…
HENSLOWE Mr. Fennyman, let me explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. Believe me, to be closed by the plague is a bagatelle in the ups and downs of owning a theatre.
FENNYMAN So what do we do?
HENSLOWE Nothing. Strangely enough , it all turns out well.
I think what H20 is saying is that we rip almost EVERY race organizer in the world on here because of things such as, but not limited to: Too much drafting, too little drafting, entry fees too high, entry fees too low, bad race shirts, too much hype, not enough hype, too many people, not enough people, post race food was great, post race food was bad… All of these comments usually end in the fact that they won’t be doing the race again next year. So why does 101 get a FREE pass?
In my opinion the HFP staff probably earned a free pass. I also think Ironman earned a free pass and a few other good RD’s out there, but it doesn’t seem to work that way.
You guys seriously don’t think they have been raked over the coals? Try searching the posts. They were ripped from day 1 simply for the distances of the race! They haven’t received a free pass.
I think folks are more likely to be patient/forgiving to a group of folks who are trying to do something new, moreso than then folks who have been doing it for over 15 years. Which group do you think should “know better” when it comes to putting on a race series. And even though Shannon and his crew are extremely well versed in putting on races within their state, they likely have a learning curver when it comes to organizing a national and hopefully international race series. But seriously, do a search and read the rips.
I don’t think they have gotten a free pass from the majority. I think alot of us on this forum know Shannon, like Shannon and have done his events in the past, ie Triple T, Racine, etc… So that’s why I think there is not a lot of piling on here. Whereas WTC, IMNA, ITU, USAT are seen as big and mostly nameless institutions that are much easier to Rip on because it doesn’t feel as personal to those ripping on them. I vote for supporting all of their efforts, I think the big 4 mentioned above have done an incredible job of growing this sport in a very short time, inspite of all the criticisms that they have had to endure. They probably all overcame early obstacle to get where they are today as organizations, let’s hope 101 can do the same!
I want no part of being an RD! I commend you Dave for having taken that task on.
You guys seriously don’t think they have been raked over the coals? Try searching the posts. They were ripped from day 1 simply for the distances of the race! They haven’t received a free pass.<<
Come on…don’t let this little fact stand in the way!
It is easy to rip RDs when the sport is growing like it is currently. We’re spoiled, myself included. I’ve done my sharing of ripping. But being a full-time RD is not an easy paycheck and sooner or later they are going to start looking for easier ways to make a living. Who are we going to be ripping then? The local parks and rec director putting on the yearly Podunk sprint triathlon?
I can’t believe you posted this. I use this scene all the time in my business to calm people down. I even recite the lines with the appropriate accent:)
“It’s a mystery” is a common phrase in our household too.
I signed up for Woodlands 101 as a small token of support for this race and the series, in particular because they were getting crap piled on them by many folks here on ST. Cousin Elwood posted a wonderful recommendation after he raced in Clearlake, but that thread was full of folks saying the series is doomed. I definitely don’t think they’ve gotten a free pass.
Is it just me, or does anyone else think it’s strange that there has been no Woodlands update on their website? For that matter, it doesn’t look like anything new has been added since the Clear Lake event. What’s up with that? Also, no posts on ST from TOO Man or anyone else from the organization?
Maybe I’m seeing things half empty, but I’d be very, very skeptical. This race was on the schedule back in December when the series was announced. By the time the race is here, they will have had 11 months to get things secured. The races in FL & CA were pulled with considerably less time to organize. Perhaps the $150K in prize money is an issue?
