Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 164)

Morning Manatees! 

Sometimes living in d/t Chicago isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Between the helicopters, the sirens, incessant honking of horns and all the yelling that didn't stop until about 5am or so this morning... it's going to be a multiple coffee day today.

And I really want a Costanza Desk. 

Manatees, I really need your help in running something by you. Brennan (U.S.-based race director) had to bail on our meeting today for good reason, so that's okay (on a personal side, and he's very good about separating our personal and professional relationship. Me too).

This is what I am going to post about the Bali Triathlon. I am also going to add a strong opening caution to each thing I've ever posted about the Bali Triathlon--an honest, fair caution (as opposed to what I'd LIKE to post!)--that is subject to change depending on the organizers'/directors' continuing responses.

Please offer any thoughts or advice, especially if I've come off too strongly/lightly/whatever. An enormous number of people will be reading this response--they are already waiting, indeed--as well as any amendments I make to existing race reports, articles, posts, etc. Additionally, for future enquirers, the stuff I write about this race always shows up among the first Google and Yahoo returns when searched.

I've tried to make the language as simple as possible so that any concerned parties who aren't as fluent in English will still get the gist. Links will be added where relevant.

---

I have not commented on Bali Triathlon 2013 until now because I have been extremely angry about many parts of this race I used to love, especially #1: athlete safety. I wanted a calmer mind so that my words could be taken to save and improve this race that means so much to many of us.

First, I would like to thank (link) Richard, Reza, Franck, Andreas, Andy, and so many others for their constant efforts to promote endurance sports in Indonesia and especially among Indonesians. I do thank Bali International Triathlon for their hard work from many people that went into this event, and even though many critical issues went badly, their efforts and the good parts of this event still stand.

I appreciate that Bali International Triathlon has allowed all comments to remain on their Facebook page. I appreciate that you did post two responses.

In my humble opinion, it is not enough.

The first response (link) was defensive, stating that your safety record is remarkable and “athlete safety is and remains our number one concern.” In essence, your FIRST response to unspeakably bad race conditions and execution was “that’s not true and it’s not our fault.”

Only after the outcry to that response did you post your second response (link), which opens in part: “Yes, there were areas on race day that were not satisfactory to ours or the athletes standards.”

That is not an apology, much less anybody taking responsibility. When such basic elements as athlete safety and a designated, adequately indicated course are ignored—WHICH HAVE BEEN SERIOUS, REPEATED CONCERNS IN THE PAST—it is not enough to say “not satisfactory.”

The right thing to do is for the race organizers and directors—with names—to step up and say, “I am sorry. I am responsible. This is exactly what we ourselves saw, and also heard from you, that went wrong. To the best of our knowledge now, this is what we should have done instead. This is exactly what we plan to do in the next few weeks to make things right for the athletes who were in the 2013 (not 2014!) race. These are the rough plans for what will be done in the next few months to ensure an actual marked and staffed course and the safety of athletes on it. We will send periodical updates to keep you informed of the demonstrated actions we have taken to continue working on this, including keeping in mind the changing conditions in Bali.”

I’m waiting.

I’m not a legal expert, but I’m pretty sure no one will sue you for doing the right thing. There are many of us who have also worked very hard in our own lives training and in others’ lives to encourage them in both triathlon and community involvement, we who have already demonstrated our responsibility and commitment, who put our lives, bodies, efforts, training, hard-earned money or sponsorship, and support into your hands, and who have also stated that we are still willing to step up to the line if you are.

So we wait.  

Originally posted by Asalzwed

yowza, shoes with actual springs

 

I need to post the link  because the responses are hilarious. 

They still wouldn't make me any faster! 

Originally posted by Asalzwed

yowza, shoes with actual springs

 

I need to post the link  because the responses are hilarious. 

They still wouldn't make me any faster! 

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

Originally posted by Asalzwed

yowza, shoes with actual springs

 

I need to post the link  because the responses are hilarious. 

They still wouldn't make me any faster! 

I feel like it will. Please get them and wear them in Wisconsin. Look out for rocks though ...

Some help - I was advised to train in Z2 for my run and ride, easy enough on the trainer.

My z2 max is about 140.

On my run I run 2mins, walk 1min.  In the walk section my HR is about 120-125, so i figure in the run it could max at 160 making an average of 140.  Am I being too simplistic?

Originally posted by Asalzwed

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

Originally posted by Asalzwed

yowza, shoes with actual springs

 

I need to post the link  because the responses are hilarious. 

They still wouldn't make me any faster! 

I feel like it will. Please get them and wear them in Wisconsin. Look out for rocks though ...

Still trying to figure out what to make of these, but keep shaking my head.