kaburns1214 Mentor Group 2012 Part 2 - CLOSED (Page 22)

I think the female weight is going up to 165 and the guys to 220.

In what race? 

The sprints here all have differing ideas of what a Clyde is

USAT definitions

I don't really have a strong reaction to it one way or the other.  What was their reasoning?

I don't think it matters, anyway. The races I've done have all been USAT ones and two had differing ideas of Clyde weight. I stopped caring and just register as AG and come in near the back of the pack. 

Don't look at the pace.  You'll be down soon enough.

True!

From someone who qualifies under the 150+ rule, I'm not a fan of the division.  I understand that the purpose is to allow like sized competitors to race against each other but theres a HUGE difference between 5' 8" and 165 and 5' 0" and 165.

Just what they do.  While WTC now runs most of the NA IM races (I believe all with the exception of Canada) mnay of the European races are still under old contracts and aren't quite as uniform as the NA races. 

So I did my Over/Under workout today ... it certainly was harder than I thought it would be.  Maybe I am still recovering from Saturday?

Damn, I've missed a lot of convo on here. Boston Marathon stuff, Kelly and QT2, etc.

Kelly, I'm curious to find out why, but happy you were able to make that decision

jarvy01 - 2012-04-17 6:29 PM I just got my Zoot Ultra TT 5.0s  I love that they're black and purple.  They'd better be comfortable!!!!!!

Jen, I bought last years model TT's, and love them.  I think you will as well.  So light!!

Speaking of Zoot, Bryan has asked me to spread the word about Zoot. I was kind of keeping it to myself as I didn't want him to be swarmed with requests, but he has recently asked me to post it so Zoot can get more exposure.  As you know Bryan is sponsored by Zoot, and has incredible talent.  I am RD my first road race in September, and Bryan was able to get Zoot to donate two certifictes for a free pair of Zoot shoes to the Overall Male and Female winner of the race.  It is a 3.5 mile run, around Alexanders Lake in the Northeast part of CT. Kelly has also been a major help with budgeting for this race as we know she has expereince with the Hartford Quarter Marathon.  Thanks Kelly.

Bryan mentioned if you are an RD of a race, or your Tri club is hosting an event, reach out to him and he may be able to assist.  Also, he has 25% off coupons for Zoot apparel open to anyone.

Have a great day!

rizer22 - 2012-04-18 8:41 AM

jarvy01 - 2012-04-17 6:29 PM I just got my Zoot Ultra TT 5.0s  I love that they're black and purple.  They'd better be comfortable!!!!!!

Jen, I bought last years model TT's, and love them.  I think you will as well.  So light!!

Speaking of Zoot, Bryan has asked me to spread the word about Zoot. I was kind of keeping it to myself as I didn't want him to be swarmed with requests, but he has recently asked me to post it so Zoot can get more exposure.  As you know Bryan is sponsored by Zoot, and has incredible talent.  I am RD my first road race in September, and Bryan was able to get Zoot to donate two certifictes for a free pair of Zoot shoes to the Overall Male and Female winner of the race.  It is a 3.5 mile run, around Alexanders Lake in the Northeast part of CT. Kelly has also been a major help with budgeting for this race as we know she has expereince with the Hartford Quarter Marathon.  Thanks Kelly.

Bryan mentioned if you are an RD of a race, or your Tri club is hosting an event, reach out to him and he may be able to assist.  Also, he has 25% off coupons for Zoot apparel open to anyone.

Have a great day!

Was thinking about picking up a pair at some point.  I really like Zoot's stuff.  Was thinking about their swimskin too. 

That's really cool Bryan would hook you up like that.

I don't know how many of you follow ITU racing and qualification for the 2012 Olympics in London, but there's a rather interesting issue going on with the start list for the sand Diego ITU race (which has essentially become the Olympic Trials for the American Men).

Here's an artile about the issue:

http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Olympic_Dreams_In_Peril_2697.html

Here's the slowtwitch post on it:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3874540;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

Someone screwed up big time, but I'm not sure if its USAT, ITU or the athletes.

My experience with USAT is that, as an organization, they generally don't have their stuff together. 

For example, take the Level One training clinic.  At the clinic presenters repeatedly stated, "we're not going to go into youth and junior issues here because USAT now has a youth and junior certifiaction."  Then, when I received the test there were several multiple choice questions about youth and juniors and a short answer question about youth an juniors.  If you're going to have a sperate certification and if you're going to make the decision not to address youth and junior issues at the clinic, shouldn't you update the test as well?  Its not a big deal, but its just sloppy.

Seems overly complicated .... 

Had a good slow, short run today ... nice to not have to mentally prepare for a run ... almost there, 10 DAYS

I was going to write a blog post on it, but then I thought better of it.  To make a long story short, I never had an issue with the coaching but over the past few months the organization seemed to shift from a family to an organization that put pros out front and sort of forgot about everyone else.  This all came to a head when I received my kit on Friday.  Rather than dleivering the kit that had been promised they delivered a completely different one to the non-elite athletes (for me this was an issue because I can't use the top they sent me).  After several discussions I found out that appearnatly the sponsor had sent something different for the non-elite athletes and QT2 didn't think it was important to even send an e-mail about what happened. 

Here's the e-mail I sent Jesse:

I have done a lot of thinking about my relationship with QT2 and have talked to several different people over the past couple of days.

In the 2 years that I have been with QT2, my IM time has dropped from a 14:30 to a 11:26 and I know that QT2's coaching methodology is primarily responsible for my performance gains.  The coaching services have been wonderful and Doug is a quality asset. 

However, aside from the coaching, I feel that the organization does not value me as a client and that has become the source of my issue (its not just about a race kit, but that was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back).  I feel there is more value placed on specific clients whose performances can enhance the prestige of the organization (namely pros or those who are in the process of qualifying for their pro cards) to the detriment of age groupers who will never become pros.  I understand that it is the organization's intent to treat all athletes equally, however, the organization's actions do not align with this intent.  I know Chrissie had previously stated that the organization needs to provide specific support to pros because they get the QT2 name out there and provide for greater sponsorship opportunities for everyone else, but for me that sort of thing is meaningless.  I want to be on a team to feel included and to feel like I'm a member of something bigger when I'm out on the race course, I don't join a team for discount codes, bonus pools or merchandise.  

I feel that I work really hard, I have represented the organization enthusiastically and that I've been a really good client for the past two years and that none of this matters to the organizational leadership because I'm never going to be a pro.

For these reasons, I am not interested in being a member of the QT2 team.  Unfortunately, because of the organizational layout, I am unable to logically (and emotionally) separate QT2 into distinct areas of operation and do not feel comfortable continuing to pursue coaching through QT2.

I know you wanted you talk but I don't think there is anything to talk about.  The organization is moving in a different direction than where I'm going, and I need to be someplace where my interests align.

Interesting article....if you go the slowtwich reply...Mark Fretta gave his own thoughts about the whole process...very intereting.  Seems like a classic ...too many cooks scenario gone horribly wrong!