Clem7 Tunnel Run Options

[UnfitnessFanatic]

Wow maybe you guys should just start your own private club where no outside people are welcome, no criticism is allowed and you must volunteer on a regular basis. I just want to try and understand your reasoning here, if this is labelled a fun run and all proceeds go to charity, we as competitors arnt allowed to have any expectations going into the race???? These runs should be organised like a business is run as money is changing hands. When you understand that maybe you can hop down off your high horse.

I want to make it clear I was in the first half of the field and did get a drink from the 4 & 8k station, I also did pull myself back and that showed in my time being horrendous. The fact of the matter is without the people who were at the back that suffered yesterday these days wouldn't happen. If only the elite people who don't need a drink and run on a regular basis competed then these events wouldn't last.

[UnfitnessFanatic]

...and just because you or anyone else has paid to enter an event it does not give you carte blanche to abuse and criticise volunteers. That's the point.

It's easy to confuse "arrogance" with experience. I hope you learnt something from yesterday's race.

did you even read my post? I didnt criticise any of the volunteers. Nor did i abuse anyone. I feel really bad for some of the organiser for the abuse they have received here. I just think some of you people who are obviously very seasoned runners need to take a step back and realise the majority of people competing in these events rely on what is advertised to be there. They arnt asking for anything more...

This post has been edited by UnfitnessFanatic: Mar 1 2010, 07:55 AM

[fastguts]

We had the most wonderful volunteers for this event- people like fastguts who came at 4am to help out- they are awesome. I really upsets me when they get abused-so not cool. Thanks you to everyone who helped us and supported us- I have been so distressed about the whole situaltion i forgot to say that. Thanks you so much.

Hey Linda.
Thank you and Ryan, Kelly, Brad and I really enjoyed it and would do it again at the drop of a hat.
Unfortunately it's always the the people who have a less than satisfactory experience who are the most vocal and when you deal with the general public there are those who are rude, those who cheat (trying to get through the doors that separated the tunnels), those who want to pose for pictures at the finish line mid race, etc etc.

There are things you had no control over;
1) Tunnel control not opertaing fans until mid race.
2) Access mid race to water stations as governed by tunnel controllers.
3) Tunnel control closing race entry early.
4) The weather and conditions inside the tunnel.
5) Preparedness and expectations of entrants.


I would just like to let those who are critical of the very experienced organisers, Intraining, know that when things started to go amiss the sense of devastation amongst the organisers was palpable and they were visibly upset and stressed. Due to items on the list above there was very little they could do and they were beside themselves. I'm sure this will blow over soon for the sake of the people who have been upset.

[fastguts]

did you even read my post? I didnt criticise any of the volunteers. Nor did i abuse anyone. I feel really bad for some of the organiser for the abuse they have received here. I just think some of you people who are obviously very seasoned runners need to take a step back and realise the majority of people competing in these events rely on what is advertised to be there. They arnt asking for anything more...

"What is frustrating is the arrogance of some of the more experienced runners on this website to say people should have been more organised"

I think that's being critical as I have suggested that in this thread and I was a volunteer.
It was also suggested in the booklet that you being your own water.

[PBM]

Also consider the littering of cups in a confined space. Without the sachets the slower runners probably would have to wade through half a meter of empty cups.

Fair point, I hadn't thought of the issue of cups in the confined space of the tunnel. If the use of sachets becomes more widespread I guess I'll just have to use them properly.

I think it's important to acknowledge that everyone's need for water is different. While many experienced runners such as those on cool running can comfortably run 10 km without water, they are not necessarily the target market for a run like Clem 7.

As someone who perspires a lot I would not normally do a 10 km run, even a training run, without drinking. I was lucky that there was plenty of water available when I went through (even if I did have trouble getting it my mouth), but I think I would have been struggling by the end if I hadn't had any water. I can certainly understand how uncomfortable newer and/or less fit runners may have felt, not that that is any excuse for taking it out on the volunteers.

That said, I'm not sure if the lack of water contributed to any of the hospitalisations. There were a number of people being attended to when I was running up the hill at the end, even though there was still plenty of water at that stage. not sure if they were the people who were hospitalised.

Anyway, that's probably enough said. Overall an enjoyable and well organised event.

Paul

[balri]

Fail to see how this is bad reporting. I did not see any other major news outlet game enough to report the downside of this event. And,yes, I work for The Courier-Mail.

Well you should know better than most that pretty much everything in the Courier Mail is bad reporting

[RossBris]

Harsh!
Why don't you take water when you run if you need it??!!
Perhaps you would like to volunteer to help out at the next Intraining race. I bet you don't. I did today and I personally copped a lot of abuse from people like you who need water every 2 kms in a 10 km race, as did ALL of the other volunteers who had the dubious pleasure of working at the finish line.

Well here's a thought - maybe when someone advertised that there would be water every 2kms people made a decision not to take water into the tunnel...you know on account of that fact.

And you know what - I am not fit - I can't run a whole 10km race like you 'champions' - but you know I still love to go and try I love to give it a shot. Would I have run any better with water every 2kms....Probably not....but it would have been better. Do I need water in a hot 10km race...Yes! As did many many others.

Nothing against Steve and Linda, they are champions and I do thank them for the effort - I loved the waterbags, perhaps next time though the formula could be changed a little. It kind of shows why the B2B can't have waterbags, because some of the loons that run that thing would just take a whole box each for the fun. And I do appreciate them actually participating and gathering the feedback...it shows a lot of professionalism.

There has been some pretty harsh criticism on both sides of the coin here - yeah its pretty bloody easy for you guys who can actually run to bag us beginners...must feel powerful or something....how dare we think that we are permitted to participate in this event...but yes credit where credit is due - in the face of enormous stupid Government and Council rules Steve and Linda put on a great event.

And yes the little kid with Cancer who started the event was an inspiration and those little buggers will go through more in a day than any of us would like to handle in a lifetime so yes a little dehydration is not even in the same league.

Oh yes and we all thank the volunteers - if I wasn't actually participating I am sure I would have volunteered - and its terrible that you got abused, I just hope your not the volunteer that I asked at the finish line for water who answered "Over there" whilst pointing randomly and not really giving a shit about anything. If you feel abused I can promise you its not as bad as the security guys were coping in the tunnel. It was funny to see a couple of people who just got the shits with it all just cut through the emergency doors and get to the other side of the tunnel....that was tempting.....perhaps there needed to be an intermediate timing loop at the turn around point....

Anyway its in the past now - nobody died - let us move on and get ready for our next runs...as least I now know how much work I have to do to reach my goal 10km time.

Ross...

[glenda]

This has been very entertaining...certainly glad I went to Road Runners instead...out in the open, pleasant river scenery...I commented when this race was first mentioned I would not do it as it would be horrible and humid in the tunnel, that was pretty obvious...plus once you have seen the first 100m, what else new was there to see? I ran the half yesterday without the need to take a drink. I recall much the same drama after the Twilight half last year re no water...harden up people.

[RossBris]

OK, I've sat back and watched the crap going on in this thread. Seems to me those who have had a whinge, are those who've never stood behind a water table to help out those in need.

I too had a crap run this morning, have been having them for the last 4 weeks; and I didn't even get into the tunnel.

How abouts anyone who's had a winge above put their hands up for volunteering/marshalling at the Twilight Half in 3 weeks time....... oh, hang on, if you did that, you'd have nothing to whinge about except your own insipid performances!!!!

Pissed off!!!!

Funrunner aka Craig

Ok Wow - so because people haven't volunteered they lack the permission to comment. Maybe I will volunteer

>EDITED > Because I am also a grumpy old shit!

This post has been edited by RossBris: Mar 1 2010, 01:07 PM

[UnfitnessFanatic]

"What is frustrating is the arrogance of some of the more experienced runners on this website to say people should have been more organised"

I think that's being critical as I have suggested that in this thread and I was a volunteer.
It was also suggested in the booklet that you being your own water.

You being a volunteer has nothing to do with my comments.

I've had my say, I don't want to have arguements on an internet forum with people I don't know and more than likely never will. If you don't understand what I'm saying you never will.

I will keep paying my entry fee and running in these races cause it's what I enjoy. I'm not going to apologise to people for not offering my time to volunteer, but good on you if that's what you enjoy doing.

[camcarter]

Fantastic event! A+++ as far as I am concerned. I'm a big fan od the water satchels and had no problem working out how to use them.

In my race pack I received a race number, a hat and a white plastic cylinder with a spout at one end.. I think this was designed to carry some form of liquid to be used for hydration.

The irony (I think that is what you would call it) is that I failed to see anyone carrying these water bottles during my run.?!?!?!?!?!

I finished in 59min & saw over a dozen competitors in distress (collapsed) when I came through the last 1000m, and there was still plenty of water satchels available at the last drink station.

Hopefully they have all recovered OK.

[LateRunner]

From my source within the control room at the tunnel:

1. Only 50% of the exhaust fans were turned on because they were worried about it being too noisy.
2. Later on, the tunnel became so warm that it triggered the fire sensors, causing the fire suppression unit to commence operations, i.e. the sensors thought the tunnel was on fire so the sprinklers started.

Bellthorpe, a little compassion perhaps for the people that collapsed, they certainly didn't look "thirsty" when I went past them. Occasionally everyone has a bad run you know, and they were there supporting a charity.

Exactly. Dehydration and overheating can kill people quite easily, particularly if you are losing large amounts of fluid due to excessive perspiraton and respiration. It is nothing to laugh at.

[Bubble]

Just out of interest is this run going to be an annual event or is it more likely to be a one off ?

[swaggerer]

I wasn' there. I was out on the trails. I had organised my water (I carry it out and hide it in a hollow log) and took my shirt off when it got hot. I haven't been able to get anyone to hold my hand but I am sure Bellthorpe wouldn't mind skipping merrily along beside me in the the bush.

The thing is my run in the bush wasn't a fun run where your entry is supposed to see those things taken care of for you. I think that the organisers job is to (metaphorically)" hold our hands" and make sure we are looked after - that we are safe. Yes self reliance is all very well in the bush, when training and to some extent in a race - but still a road race (fun run) is quite different. We need support provided by organisers.

The cold, hard fact is the organisers failed to meet the less-experienced, and the experienced runners' expectations. However, the organisers are not stupid and know full well now that the tunnel can be hotter than expected and as a consequence they now know that there needed to be more water. The front runners all ran dismal times because of the unexpected heat.

New projects always have teething problems. Perfection is rare. So people who have beeen around the block usually cut some slack.

There is nothing wrong with the water bags once you learn how to open them. It was the first time some of the leading runners had used these bags and they too missed their water.

Heat affects all contestants. It doesn't matter what level you are as many an elite runner has secombed to dehydration and has overheated in a short race. Alberto Slazaar was in such a bad way after the Peachtree Road Race (10k) in Boston (from memory during the early 90's) that he was given his last rights. Organisers must treat it with due seriousness.

I know that in the Clem7 the leading runners ran to the conditions. It was "just a fun run". Nevertheless, heat kills and while I can see the reason for the organiser's failure I think the organisers need to take the criticism on the chin (which they seem to be doing) because they let people down with that one aspect. Overall I have heard they did a mighty job and congratulate them for their honest efforts in making it possible for Brisbane runners and walkers to experience running through the Clem7 and experience the joy of running in their overall well-organised events.

Wow maybe you guys should just start your own private club where no outside people are welcome, no criticism is allowed and you must volunteer on a regular basis.

I agree . One thing that annoys me is when people who draw attention to a problem or comment on an event are told that their complaint is somehow mute or invalid because they aren't in the system, haven't been a volunteer, or experienced the abuse of disgruntled participants whilst being a volunteer. It is a dismal way of other commentators dealing with a problem to dismiss it as pointless whinging. It is patronising to tell people they did a good job when the evidence suggests otherwise. It is nonsense to say joggers undergo more heat stress than the elite runners running to their max. And it is petty and miserable to jump on the bandwagon and hammer organsiers when it was beyond their control and it is clear that they now know of the problem and the solutions.

Above all let's not forget that we are all on the same side here. We all want the best possible fun runs (road races) for Brisbane's running community and we all want to see the organisers to learn from experience and to grow in ability so they can conduct great, memorable and well-organised events for us.

This post has been edited by swaggerer: Mar 1 2010, 09:52 AM

[johnno]

I did see a stall handing out T-Shirts, based on a list of names of those who had raised $150 or more via sponsorship.

There were boxes of shirts - no stalls - just past the finish to the left. Top 100 runners were scrambling like vultures over a carcass to find their size. No one else saw anything?

Were these shirts meant for $150+ fundraisers? Were they even event t-shirts?

J

[vat]

I agree . One thing that annoys me is when people who draw attention to a problem or comment on an event are told that their complaint is somehow mute or invalid because they aren't in the system, haven't been a volunteer, or experienced the abuse of disgruntled participants whilst being a volunteer.

So much counts on how comments are made - one of the 'joys' of on-line forums seems to be people reaching immediately for extreme descriptions - and there are numerous examples in this thread. In a number of posts on this thread post-race. the language seems handpicked to elicit a fight or flight response either from the organisers or people who voiced complaints. People seem to be happy to lash out with angry outbursts in the safe, relative anonymity of the internet, in a way they would very rarely consider doing in real life, with little to no regard for how that post might be received by other parties.

Sadly, this seems to be a bit of a feature developing at CR, and it's getting in the road of genuine information, constructive criticism and I think it must be damaging the credibility of CR.

I should point out I have been guilty of this myself, and make no claim for sin free posting... . I'm trying to get out of that habit, though.

Perhaps, before banging out some angrily worded, provocative correspondence, we might actually think about what we're trying to achieve with what we're writing, and then before we post, actually think about whether what we've written will achieve what we're aiming for.

Of course, if all you're aiming for is to piss people off, then, well, mission accomplished, I guess.

[BabyNurse]

One thing that annoys me is when people who draw attention to a problem or comment on an event are told that their complaint is somehow mute or invalid because they aren't in the system, haven't been a volunteer, or experienced the abuse of disgruntled participants whilst being a volunteer. It is a dismal way of other commentators dealing with a problem to dismiss it as pointless whinging.

I think the message from the people who are dismissing it as pointless whinging isn't that the whinger (for want of a better word) doesn't have a valid complaint. It's that the people who do put their two cents worth in are the same people no matter what committee you are on - P&C, running group, car club, Scouts, whatever. There's a core group of people who do the organising, a larger group of people who help when specifically asked, the majority who go along and are grateful, and the whinging minority who complain about every little thing, but never put their hand up to help, and never even offer a solution. It's always "this is a problem - someone else fix it!"

Can you tell I've been on far too many voluntary committees?!

I didn't run. I was too late registering. But I walked through later. I was wondering how those who ran coped with the gale force winds at some points from the fans, but it appears that wasn't a problem as they weren't turned on.

It was an experience, and I'm glad I walked through it. But ultimately it's a big concrete tunnel. I'd rather run outside where there's at least something interesting to look at.

[Bellthorpe]

I wasn' there. I was out on the trails. I had organised my water (I carry it out and hide it in a hollow log) and took my shirt off when it got hot. I haven't been able to get anyone to hold my hand but I am sure Bellthorpe wouldn't mind skipping merrily along beside me in the the bush.

Phew!

I thought you were going to write 'skipping gaily'.

Merrily I can do ...

[AndyP]

There were boxes of shirts - no stalls - just past the finish to the left. Top 100 runners were scrambling like vultures over a carcass to find their size. No one else saw anything?

Were these shirts meant for $150+ fundraisers? Were they even event t-shirts?

J

I didn't see it and was one of the first 100 across the line. Of course, my only focus was getting up to the recovery area at that stage.

[mgi11a]

It's that the people who do put their two cents worth in are the same people no matter what committee you are on - P&C, running group, car club, Scouts, whatever. There's a core group of people who do the organising, a larger group of people who help when specifically asked, the majority who go along and are grateful, and the whinging minority who complain about every little thing, but never put their hand up to help, and never even offer a solution. It's always "this is a problem - someone else fix it!"

BINGO

[Steve 'The Footm...]

Linda and I have both been following the discussions here closely. One great advantage of the coolrunning forum for race organisers is that you can get immediate feedback on your events. While sometimes this feedback can be harsh I would say the negative feedback is much more useful than the positive feedback. We are constantly trying to lift our game. By having so many people closely examining our mistakes that helps to get us closer to perfection.

I do not think that peoples negative responses should be brushed off by telling them to volunteer. We want them to run in our races and if everyone was volunteering then that would not happen.

Those who post with high emotion do not always understand the constraints on the race organisers however that does not make their opinion less valid.

It is very disappointing and depressing when you get bad press for an event that you have worked hard on for months. It is also frustrating when the problems were completely out of your control but you are being blamed for them anyway.

My main feeling is one of relief that no-one was seriously hurt. While four people were taken to hospital the information I have been given is that none were admitted. I believe that most of these people were in the front part of the field that got their water. It was the extreme conditions and difficult course that did them in rather than the lack of water.

I also had no pre-warning of the conditions runners would face in the tunnel. When I cycled the course on Friday night it was cool in the tunnel. I expected it would be cooler in the tunnel than it would be outside. For different reasons this was not what happened. If we knew that it would be like running in a sauna then we would have more than doubled the water supply in the tunnel, demanded access during the race and warned the runners of the conditions they would face.

Retrospect is a great thing!

This post has been edited by Steve 'The Footman': Mar 1 2010, 10:41 AM

[deuce]

This race was a great experience but definitely not for the feint hearted or casual runner due to certain conditions.

Myself and a couple of friends (regular fun runners) found the race quite gruelling. We wouldn't do it again (if it were to happen again) but are certainly glad to have been there. It was a great challenge and I'm happy that I made it in the end, slower than I expected but I still did it.

Looking forward to the Twilight Run now.

Thanks to Linda, Steve, volunteers.

[Steve 'The Footm...]

There were boxes of shirts - no stalls - just past the finish to the left. Top 100 runners were scrambling like vultures over a carcass to find their size. No one else saw anything?

Were these shirts meant for $150+ fundraisers? Were they even event t-shirts?

J

These shirts had nothing to do with the race. They were handed out by one of the sponsors "Goodlife Health Clubs" and were Goodlife shirts not clem7 shirts.

[TonyShaw]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the great run on Sunday.
Just wondering if any of the photographers in the tunnel were from you guys and if photo's would be going up anywhere?

Cheers, ToNy!

[RossBris]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the update and the comment. As they say all feedback is valuable, so long as its delivered properly. Hopefully you continue to use those waterbags, because I was lucky enough to get 2 at the 9km mark and they were absolutely fantastic.

Thanks for your efforts - despite the comments - nobody could argue that you aren't hard working.

ross...

[twosheds]

Many of the lovely people on here- who saw how distressed i was leapt to my defence. They are so lovely to have done that. I appreciate it so very much. They see a more personal side to 'the organisers"
As Steve said the overwhelming feeling is of relief- that there wasnt serious illness. Not a good day at the office when you feel in any way responsible for something like this. Having read the posts and now understanding what happened with the fans and hence the ridiculous heat in the tunnel- I dont feel solely responsible for the situation but still accept my role. I think we could have had twice as much water and still run out in the tunnel.

Thanks again to everyon for your support and kindness. i think im gonna stop reading this now and get back to organising Twilight and Marathon school.
Linda

[undercover broth...]

There has been some pretty harsh criticism on both sides of the coin here - yeah its pretty bloody easy for you guys who can actually run to bag us beginners...must feel powerful or something....

it's called giving advice.
probably not a bad idea to listen to it.
intraining have admitted their role and discussed other limitations.
the dude who didn't switch the fans on may well not show their face here.
it would be nice for some of the people who suffered to say well yeah maybe i wasn't as prepared as i should be, or didn't think it would be damn hot in a tunnel and should've started out slower yeah that was a bit silly...
it's a good thing to discuss as should only lead to improvement.
assuming people don't get narky and don't listen that is.

Maybe I will volunteer just to shove it up you!

i think you were at the wrong 'event' last weekend ross

oh...and why hasnt anyone commented on (i think it was FG) being on the abc news last night?

This post has been edited by undercover brother: Mar 1 2010, 11:47 AM

[johnno]

These shirts had nothing to do with the race. They were handed out by one of the sponsors "Goodlife Health Clubs" and were Goodlife shirts not clem7 shirts.

Thanks for the answer. The frenzy over the shirts led me to think (mistakenly) they were official shirts. And thanks for the event.

J

[Nardes]

There were boxes of shirts - no stalls - just past the finish to the left. Top 100 runners were scrambling like vultures over a carcass to find their size. No one else saw anything?

Were these shirts meant for $150+ fundraisers? Were they even event t-shirts?

J

The stall handing out T-shirts (based on a list of names for those who raised more than $150 from sponsorship), was on the left hand side of the upper exit ramp, near the fruit stalls. I asked one of the attendants manning the stall about the T-shirts and he explained about the $150 limit.

Cheers

Dennis

[fastguts]

oh...and why hasnt anyone commented on (i think it was FG) being on the abc news last night?

My 5 seconds of fame and only 4 people saw it.
I should have said something like "chk chk boom"

Must go, my agent is calling me.

[swaggerer]

Yes a good way to "piss people off" is to selectively quote and thus have things taken out of context.

I agree . One thing that annoys me is when people who draw attention to a problem or comment on an event are told that their complaint is somehow mute or invalid because they aren't in the system, haven't been a volunteer, or experienced the abuse of disgruntled participants whilst being a volunteer. It is a dismal way of other commentators dealing with a problem to dismiss it as pointless whinging. It is patronising to tell people they did a good job when the evidence suggests otherwise. It is nonsense to say joggers undergo more heat stress than the elite runners running to their max. And it is petty and miserable to jump on the bandwagon and hammer organsiers when it was beyond their control and it is clear that they now know of the problem and the solutions.

Above all let's not forget that we are all on the same side here. We all want the best possible fun runs (road races) for Brisbane's running community and we all want to see the organisers to learn from experience and to grow in ability so they can conduct great, memorable and well-organised events for us.

The italicised segment clarifies my position and was left outl.

It's always "this is a problem - someone else fix it!" So you don't want the organisers, committee members to fix the problems in the race that they are responsible for and contestants bring to their attention? What do you want? Where's is your solution? Whining about "whingers" is just way to shut people up and doesn't assist in solving the problem.

The comment that it is the same old mob whinging is doubtful. A lot of the comments are not from regulars on CoolRunning and for all you know may be experienced volunteers -not that that is the issue. If you don't want feed back don't have threads on forums.

This post has been edited by swaggerer: Mar 1 2010, 12:17 PM

[BabyNurse]

My 5 seconds of fame and only 4 people saw it.
I should have said something like "chk chk boom"

Must go, my agent is calling me.

Missed it, sorry!

[RossBris]

All very good feedback and I don't think we will solve anything by banging it out further.

Hey lets talk about the plus side of it all, I loved the funky signed s in the tunnel that show where the hell you are. Very good motivation tool, "I am only atIvory Street, surely I can keep running from here"

What was the winning time? I haven't been able to access the times from my work CPU today.

Hey also - if we all thought we were hot, lets spare a thought for the poor bugger in the St.George Dragon outfit, that thing must have been cooking. One of those days you wish you were not a mascot!

Ross...

[RHCP26]

Yes a good way to "piss people off" is to selectively quote and thus have things taken out of context.



The italicised segment clarifies my position and was left outl.

It's always "this is a problem - someone else fix it!" So you don't want the organisers, committee members to fix the problems in the race that they are responsible for and contestants bring to their attention? What do you want? Where's is your solution? Whining about "whingers" is just way to shut people up and doesn't assist in solving the problem.

The comment that it is the same old mob whinging is not doubtful. A lot of the comments made are not regulars on CoolRunning and for all you know may be volunteers.

Absolutley Ron, a complaint was made along way back on this thread and Linda answered and apologised quite comprehensively and will address this in the future (there you go, all the answers to your questions are here). More experienced runners have been giving advice to those who were further back like bring water drink alot of water before or stop running if you are feeling bad etc but the complaints continue. Not much else about the event has been talked about and the ongoing battle is turning the event into a negative experience. The more experienced runners are frustrated because it seems to be the same whinge. Hey it happened, probably wont happen again time to move on.

[rivercat]

My 5 seconds of fame and only 4 people saw it.
I should have said something like "chk chk boom"

Must go, my agent is calling me.

I even watched the abc news and missed this. It must have been shown right when Foxtel's satellite service broke due to torrential rain.

[funrunner63]

Post deleted due to me becoming just a cranky old shit

FR aka C

This post has been edited by funrunner63: Mar 1 2010, 01:00 PM

[embar]

i have someones goodlife shirt from the run- if you have lost yours at a first aid post please pm me and i'll check if you were the one, blue is not my colour

[AndyP]

Post deleted due to me becoming just a cranky old shit

Is being a cranky old shit mutually exclusive to being a gnarly old dude?

[funrunner63]

Is being a cranky old shit mutually exclusive to being a gnarly old dude?

I think there is a difference but it's only a subtle one. In the thread Swaggerer has displayed the experience of a gnarly old dude, whereas I blew up like a cranky old shit.

I'm still just a work in progress......

[RossBris]

My wife calls me a grumpy old man - and I am only 29... not sure what means for me in 20 years time. Hey we can all be cranky shits at times funrunner63...and I am guilty of that as well. I am told your post was funny though, so feel free to PM me

Ross...

[fastguts]

I think there is a difference but it's only a subtle one. In the thread Swaggerer has displayed the experience of a gnarly old dude, whereas I blew up like a cranky old shit.

I'm still just a work in progress......

...but we still love you!

What about a female category.
'rancid old mole'

[Tesso]

A hijack of sorts, but did anybody see Campbell Newman and his wife Lisa on the news last night? From what I could gather they were leading the walk through the tunnel after the fun run. Wonder is she did the whole thing in those red high heels

[fastguts]

A hijack of sorts, but did anybody see Campbell Newman and his wife Lisa on the news last night? From what I could gather they were leading the walk through the tunnel after the fun run. Wonder is she did the whole thing in those red high heels

Yes, we couldn't stop giggling at her shoes. They were full on platform stilletos. She and Campbell only walked in for about 50 metres before they bailed. Very amsuing. Tres pole dancing.

[Skin and Bone]

My last post in this thread.
Yes it was hot and humid
Yes the fans were not all on
Yes there was a need for more water sachets at the water stops
Yes the organisers accept what happened and have apologised

Let me point out though that people would have still struggled had there been twice as much water. I finished in 53 minutes and some one wearing last years Twilight half M shirt was in the finishing shute (after the finish line) in a real bad way - I would imagine that he would be one of the 4 that went to hospital - there was heaps of water at all tables when I (and this guy) went through!!!
Let me just tell you about the Melbourne Marathon of 2008. In 2007 at the MM I set my PB of 3:13, had the moons all been lined up I may have had a chance at a PB in 2008. Melbourne weather turned on a strong Northerly wind before the event started (the event is basically 21 Ks heading south then 21 ks headed north - not quite that simple but you get the picture). I decided that 3:30 was a more realistic goal in these conditions - Coming north up St Kilda Rd in the last two ks before Flinders Street Station there was CARNAGE runners all over the place. Near the Corner of St Kilda Rd and Flinders st I saw one of my running buddies who is a Brissie based sub 3hr marathoner on the kerb withSt John Ambulance guys helping him drink and breath. He is used to heat and humidity - there was ample drink at all of the water stops yet he and many others misjudged how much the conditions would affect them.

Moral - experienced and inexperieinced runners have trouble accepting the tell tale signs of dehydration and do not take appropriate measures.

Before you respond to this please re read lines 2 - 5 inclusive

[swaggerer]

RCHP. My comment read:

The comment that it is the same old mob whinging is doubtful.

Not as you posted:

The comment that it is the same old mob whinging is not doubtful.

I had intended to say: "The comment that it is the same old mob is not so. " When I changed it tp the above I forgot to remove the "not". Hence your confusion. This was a little while before your comment was added. So in light of that please reconsider your support.

No, RCHP, the answers to my questions are not all there at all.

I have no idea why I am being railed against here. I haven't complained. I pointed out the cold, hard facts for those still being defensive of organisers. It was not a personal attack in any way. I acknowledged that the situation was beyond the organisers control.

And friendships best not get in the way of frank and honest discussions. Whenever, I have had a concern with an organisation I send an email or contact the organisers. Steve can back me on this. i don't come on here dragging down an event with my concerns because I know Steve et al will consider my concern and has always acted positively on my advice.

I adressed some information from Bellthorpe that i thought not too wise -especially for such an experienced and respected athlete. . And I gave my opinion of the mean-spirited and pointless complaints against those who were complaining.

I also shared the experience of some of the leading runners. I did this to acknowledge that the slower runners and the faster runners are all in the same boat as far as heat goes. It was hot and dangeroulsy so - so I hope you can understand why people are going to do their utmost ensure that commentators who seem unconcerned about the dangers of heat are given the drum; and organisers are given the opportunity to assure people that they won't be influenced by information that lays responsibilty on runners for countering the effects of heat and dehydration. The organisers must do their utmost to ensure the safety of runners. I am thinking future - not past.

And when people start feeling as if they are involved with a little exclusive private club of know it alls who don't want or need their advice; and when they do give their opinion, they are dismissed as whingers - then that in itself is a problem and I will comment. I was not commenting on twosheds management indeed if you weren't so eager to be seen as "positive" you would have seen that.

You're still a mob of whingers doesn't matter which side of the fence you are on.

Now f**k off and leave me alone.

This post has been edited by swaggerer: Mar 1 2010, 02:02 PM

[vat]

Yes a good way to "piss people off" is to selectively quote and thus have things taken out of context.

The italicised segment clarifies my position and was left out.

It's always "this is a problem - someone else fix it!" So you don't want the organisers, committee members to fix the problems in the race that they are responsible for and contestants bring to their attention? What do you want? Where's is your solution? Whining about "whingers" is just way to shut people up and doesn't assist in solving the problem.

The comment that it is the same old mob whinging is doubtful. A lot of the comments are not from regulars on CoolRunning and for all you know may be experienced volunteers -not that that is the issue. If you don't want feed back don't have threads on forums.

Swaggerer - I was actually agreeing with you, and the last sentence was made as a general comment not directed at anyone in particular, least of all your contributions to the thread. Indeed, I made several revisions to the post to ensure that it was as neutral as possible towards individuals and positions taken throughout the thread.

I selected that section of your comment as I thought it was a good example of a well thought out comment that made a positive contribution to the thread.

[swaggerer]

You, vat, saw it that way others apparently saw it differently. I am sick of making comments and then having to explain my true position because of confusing and downright silly posts that suggest the person hasn't even read my words.

I was responding to post # 267.

I said to you and others:

Yes a good way to "piss people off" is to selectively quote and thus have things taken out of context.

I was giving you an example of the kind posts that "piss people off." i was agreeing with you.
Given #267 you' will hopefuly forgive me for my general response.
You will find this quote in #267:

It's always "this is a problem - someone else fix it!"

When people choose to be on a committee, they commit to fixing and preventing problems - not haranging those that identify the problems. You didn't comment on that issue inrelatin to my post so this should tell you that I wasn't referring to you.

This post has been edited by swaggerer: Mar 1 2010, 03:02 PM

[linz]

Hi - I am new to the forum but have enjoyed running for a while now.

Since we all made it through the tunnel, is there any record of what the temperature made it to inside the tunnel ?

[rivercat]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the great run on Sunday.
Just wondering if any of the photographers in the tunnel were from you guys and if photo's would be going up anywhere?

Cheers, ToNy!

Does anyone know the answer to this? There was a professional-looking photographer at the finish, not that I was exactly at my Kodakable best, unlike fastguts

[Bellthorpe]

My 5 seconds of fame and only 4 people saw it.

Do you mean there's someone somewhere on this planet to whom you have not emailed the link to the video?