Team??

Dan - Got your last e-mail via the Yahoo group. My question is this. You stated that it had been decided (by whom I don't know) that unless you have completed at leat a half marathon than we can no longer be a teammember? So what about those of us, who are currently training for their first half marathon or Ultra-marathon events? I won't be comepeting in a marathon until this fall and registration for the run is not open yet. So does that automatically get me rejected from the team? Also, are we now limiting the team to only running? What about cyclist? or Trail runners (ultra-marathons)? What exactly are the new qualifications for the team? Is there a list of things that a person must have already accomplished before being eligible for the team? Is there a list already established and can we see what they are so people can find out if they qualify for the team? I'm just trying to get information on what is going on with the team and determine if I am still interested in being part of it.

I never said it was ONLY for people who have completed a half. In the message I said the actual Team would consist of people who are currently REGISTERED for at least a half marathon or have completed one in the past. I think you are reading a little too much into this, and there are not a lot of parameters for the team yet. The feedback I have been recieving is that we have ALOT of people who want to be on the team etc... but do not actively participate on the forums or the team / group discussions. When it comes to a team that is looking for sponsorships and is serious about racing, serious in my mind, is determined as being registered. This is still a work in progress and NOTHING is in stone. It would be best to have everyone in the Friday night chat sessions so we can discuss this. Thanks so much for being active and for being here, it's awesome. THIS team will NOT be for just runners, I and so many others love Triathlon, multisport, and cyclocross too much!

Dan

I understand that you wrote REGISTERED. I am NOT registered yet, as the race I am interested in for September has not opened registration yet. That being said, Does that mean I have to wait until I can register before trying to be listed "on the team"? I do have several events before that, But won't be running 1/2 or full marathon until September because of scheduling conflicts and the fact that I am still a beginner runner (i.e. I've only been running 3 months or so). I am glad that the team wont be limited to just runners as I am also interested in cycling and duathlons (once I have my race bike anyways ). I do plan on being in the chat this evening as well, so we can talk at that point.

Katie

I never got a change to respond to this (crazy, busy at work)

1) In a group like this, all decisions have to be made by everyone in a way that lets people don't log in every day have time to vote too. There can be committees that run through all the choices and make proposals, but we have to go through that final step of getting the stamp of approval from the entire group.

2) Saying you can't be on the race team unless you are signed up for a Half Marathon is ELITIST BULL****

It also goes against the very goals of this group which is to encourage people to get healthy via exercise. I say that anyone who is signed up for any race of any type or length should be on the race team. For someone who has never run before, a 5k fun run can be just as challenging as a Half-marathon and that effort should be recognized and rewarded.

Not to mention the size of this group isn't so big that we need to be putting people in tiers. So what if "a lot" of people want to buy a racing shirt to wear in their races. Let them -- it just publicizes the group and encourages them to get hooked on endurance racing. Which are two things we want.

Frankly, if we start making a lot of rules that exclude people, I'm out of here. That is NOT what I signed up for and I have plenty of other groups that want a piece of me that I can devote my time to who would never even dream of instituting such a rule.