Where did all the BTers go? (Page 8)

Nah.....at least not my intention at all.  Until the last few days when I was trying to figure out how I felt about them, I had never even looked at one of the groups.  But now that I have I think they are not operating how, at least as I have come to understand it, they were intended to operate.  I don't think they were ever intended to be groups of experienced athletes just having their own little discussion, it takes away from the experience and knowledge of the board in general.  In that light, there is no way they can be considered good for the overall health of the board. 

Regardless of the original intent, if we were to  take our group and make it a closed FB group I can see myself visiting BT less, if not at all and being less likely to post in TT. While I don't do it often, I do try and contribute now and again. So I see myself going from infrequent posting to none at all. Not sure how that would help.

I also have a hard time seeing it as a clique. The groups open each season and any group I have joined (I've joined a few) has been really welcoming. If that is not the case, then yes, I could see it being a problem. But perhaps time and energy would be better spent cracking down on that kind of behavior instead of eliminating the groups.  

I appreciate all of that reasoning.  It makes perfect sense and I see the appeal.   I also get how people gravitate to friends and what's comfortable.

(and for the record, I haven't been in the mentor threads for years, so I don't know which ones exist or who's in them to call anyone in particular out). 

But, in a discussion why an entire forum seems slow in traffic, I can also see where people can come to the conclusion that when people log on then just go into their small groups and do their own thing, it could cut down in the overall community contributions.  There are probably people on BT that I think are MIA that probably still talk a lot, but only in mentor groups. 

I bet their is some really sound advice being provided...  just in the mentor threads.  Shame it may not be getting out to the general masses for absorption.  I probably got much of my advice just lurking rather than actually starting or contributing in a thread.  I feel that lurking in threads in TT is the point of it, but lurking in a mentor group feels a bit creepy to me - I would probably love to hear some of their experiences and advice.

I think you are making my point.  I know, personally, I miss your posts in TT, and your presence there.  If you are just going to hide out in a group that is closed after a very short period, then there isn't much use, to the BIG PICTURE, of you being around at all, and yeah, I can see you moving toward a FB type of group.....but the overall board really wouldn't miss you anyway.  Does that make sense?   I'd rather the boards not exist so that people like you lend your experience in TT, and new people also don't have an avenue to run off in a small group........I can't imagine that was EVER the intention of the mentor groups.

I'll just reply so as not keep quoting haha.

I get what you are saying and I think it's probably a good point. They wouldn't miss me, or maybe the 6 others in our group that post semi-regularly as individuals, but collectively, the traffic that the groups drive by members checking in daily, and occasionally posting is of value, I think. And the number is maybe more significant than you are giving credit.

I didn't stop posting frequently in TT because of the Mentor program.  but I do post there occasionally because of them. Does that make sense?

No, it doesn't really make sense to me, because you post in TT MUCH less than you used to.  And it seems it's because your posts are now in a closed group.  There's only so much time, yeah?  I get that.

Correlation does not imply causation

I don't post in TT because of other factors not because time. 

You rarely post anywhere besides your little small group.....and that's not good for the overall health of the board.  Whatever the reason, there is no denying that.  I don't know about the whole C does not imply C thing.  I just know what I see.   

Like I said.....that was never the intent of "mentor groups".

Adrienne, I have noticed many people, young women in particular, join the community, participate enthusiastically for a while then suddenly their log goes private and they post no more.  The best guess as to what happened was some unwelcome attention or outright harassment.  Has anything like that ever happened in BT to you?  Is it a problem?  Being a geezerly and male, my complaint would be the opposite.  I seem to pass through the forums without drawing any attention at all.

TW

I was thinking about this last night, but more in terms of the overall site.  It would be interesting to analyze the data on how much the site is used across all channels.  Measure that against industry numbers if possible.  While the anecdotal evidence here points to less traffic in TT, is that an indication of a greater issue?  Do you see more or less traffic across the entire site?  Have usage patterns changed over the past years?  Are people reading more and posting less, as was pointed out earlier? Are people logging more?  Are the other parts of the site seeing changes in traffic pattern.  Also, where does the sport stand in regards to participation?  I participated in a local race this weekend that has seen nearly a 50% decrease in participation, which is an indicator of a larger issue to me.  USAT might have better numbers on that sort of thing, I wonder how forthcoming they would be with those numbers.  I'm not saying that each of our experiences is not valid, but if participation in this discussion is any indicator, the percentage of site users that believe that this is an issue worth discussing may not be that large.

Ron, I personally think the site has been what I have needed in regards to a few things, training, racing, and life related.  I feel for you, as trying to be all things to all people has never worked well for anyone.  This discussion alone has been an eye opener for me of the challenges that you are facing.

Originally posted by Atlantia On the subject of Mentor Groups....I mentioned to a friend about wanting to join one when the next sign up comes around, because it seems like a lot of people that I inspire and that inspire me are part of a group. I want to be a part of that fun! But on the flip side...I'm pretty intimidated by it. People in the groups know each other really well, and being an outsider is tough. It never seems like there's a completely new mentor group, where we'd all be new. That's my point, I guess. Aren't the Mentor Groups supposed to be a safe place to get more attention than in the main forum? Because, as someone who is coming back to BT after many years away, they don't feel that way. They feel like a clique. Obviously I may be wrong. But I remember the "old" BT we're all waxing poetic about. I know how awesome and friendly the people here have been, and I'm STILL not keen on the idea of joining a mentor group. How will a completely new member feel about them? And if you don't happen to join the site in the few days when the groups are being formed? Then you're out of luck. Enough blathering I guess Just my two cents.

I totally agree with what Atlantia is saying. Nothing is worse than trying to join a mentor group and finding out they all have been in the same group for the last 2 years. It is hard to break in to a group like that. I have joined groups before and then dropped out because I felt like I was invading their group. I have also lead a group one time about 3 years ago and will say there is some benefit to a smaller group sharing experiences, but we were all new and did not know each other.

Personally, I would like to see it go back to the olden days where there was a lot of information in TT. Not every way works for everyone and I liked hearing the different thoughts and even weeding through the disagreements.

I would like to see BT thrive once again.

I certainly know the stereotype of the person who is just starting to run (or bike or triathlon or Crossfit) and they want to talk of nothing else.  Mostly, they grow out of it after a while.  We all were there once and should understand.  That normal trajectory may be the explanation.  I hope so.  Some of the disappearing acts seemed to occur later in the normal development cycle and were more sudden.  It made me consider the other explanations.

TW

I don't think you worry about what happened or where "everyone" went when you want to make something better.  People come and go in everything in life, institutions not so much....... and the ones that last just adapt and move on with no thought to whoever or whatever is not there anymore. 

I guess I wouldn't go so far as to call BT an "institution", but the idea holds. 

I just don't care who is not here anymore, not in the least.  There is plenty to build on with the folks who are here, so that's what you do.

Ok, since you are asking.

1. I feel, as I mentioned above that often, whether I start a new thread or reply that I am ignored. I am not sure why this is, it could be 100% on me whether it be the way I portray myself or my "tone" or maybe it's because I am female? I definitely can't say why. But I feel that I must be somehow qualified by someone else with an "x2" or something before what I say makes any impact, and at that point why not just let the "qualifier" do the talking. Again, I don't know why and I am not claiming to but it's how I feel.

2. LB, I'm going to candid and I think that you deserve honesty because I do respect you, and god knows you have thick skin (I do not!), but you can be kind of a jerk sometimes. This can't be news to you. Maybe you enjoy ruffling people's feathers, I don't know. I like discussing different theories, ideas and strategies because I realize there are a whole lot of ways to improve as an athlete and it is fascinating! But arguing on the internet isn't fun to me, especially when someone is being abrasive. Again, this is how I feel because I am specifically being asked. I cannot speak for anyone else. 

So you think that me being 100% absent is better than me occasionally posting? Can you explain?

I think that's fair, Salty, and I've tried to not to come off as so much of a "jerk"?  The thing is, If we were having any conversation here in person I can't imagine you'd feel the same way....even if we were not in agreement.  My comments obviously lose a lot without my voice inflection, laughing, etc.  I like people and talking, and I've never been accused of being shy.....but I know when I type it doesn't always come off that way.  I don't worry about it that much, but I'm aware of it.  I do find it kind of funny, because personally, I can't come up with much of an idea about someone's personality from what they type here, and I don't try to.....that's probably what you see as a "thick skin", but then, even in person it's almost impossible to hurt my feelings or offend me....I've got a lot of life going on around me so there is always something better to focus on than that stuff. I tend to think everyone is that way even though I know that's probably not true.

I'll try harder.

if it helps, he is way more of a jerk on here than in real life

You ARE almost 100% absent...that's my point.  I wish you weren't.

Butt out!

Yeah, I understand. And you have said that before and I believe you. I'm a really sarcastic, dead pan kind of person and I have a hard enough time face to face.

I appreciate that you can take that information from me, publicly and that you are willing to try. Because clearly you have a lot of knowledge and insight to offer, and BT CAN use that.