Competitor

Last week race analysis, Boston Marathon field, London Marathon field, Alan Webb finishing his track career, and Competitor to reinstate their elite fees.

This Competitor news is a complete joke.  They claim they listened to the people and reversed their decision because of it, but this is just bullsh*t.  It's a greedy, money-hungry corporate organization that is trying to gain as much money for themselves as possible.  They expanded way too quickly and too much, and paying the price for running these events poorly since they are basically undermanned, and spread too far.  I remember running Rock n Roll Nashville in 2006, and the attention to detail in the event was outstanding!  The event staff made an effort to hire good bands, the workers/volunteers were gracious, communicative, and nice as could be, and the queuing areas before/after the race were efficient and well run.  The course was well marked, clean, and there were plenty of water stop areas and supporters/spectators everywhere.  I had a wonderful experience, and looked forward to coming back to run more Rock n Roll events.  It was clear that the city had embraced the race, and the Rock n Roll organizers had done a great job really pumping up the area and letting the people take ownership in the event and make it their own.  I ran RNR Virginia Beach later that year (similar experience), and came back to Nash Vegas for another go around.  This is when there were only Rock n Roll events in Scottsdale, Nashville, San Diego, and Virginia Beach.

Fast forward to today, and there are over 30 events all over the world.  I hear many complaints from my running peers about how poorly the events are run, and I think the Rock n Roll name has clearly been diluted from the over exposure.  And consequently, the events have lost more and more participation as the years go on.  For example, Rock n Roll STL lost over 40% participants from their first year to the next.  RNR Pasadena and St. Petersburg survived a whopping two years, before they pulled the plug.  Remember the fiasco of RNR Vegas (2011) with the tarnished water, then running out of water??  Clearly, in desperation to gain more money, they cut elite funding and further tarnished their reputation.

The reason RNR was so successful back in the day was because they were run by runners who knew exactly what their participants needed.  The community was more involved, and they allowed the brand to grow and become strong.  Once Competitor took over, they bastardized the brand, and lost all their attention to detail as a result, have events that are poorly run, poorly staffed, poorly spectated, and just a jumbled up mess.  This latest news of reinstating elite fees is the correct decision, but should have never been made in the first place.  Elite runners get paid virtually nothing, and their funding was cut because of greed.  It was a big slap in the face to the people who help promote races by their mere presence and the attention they can bring.  It was a bigger slap in the face to the running community who clearly know more than a bunch of idiot suit and ties who make ridiculously careless and stupid decisions to save face and cover up the plethora of mistakes they have made ever since they took over.  The Rock n Roll events are now perceived overpriced, and poorly run.  Competitor is a sinking ship, and everyone is jumping off as quickly as they can.  I will never pay another penny to run a Competitor event ever again.

Tuesday, January 21st - ~6 miles.  Ran with Crystal after work on the trail.  We had 50 minutes easy, and it was cold and breezy outside.  Because of the morning snow and temperatures, we cautiously ventured onto the trails and ran ~2 miles out and headed back because of the many ice spots.  Looped 2 Village Circle miles (roads were tolerable except for the slushy snow in the back), before looping in the neighborhood to finish out.  Not sure how neither of us didn't sprain an ankle, but made it back unscathed (or so I think).  50:04 total, ~7:45 pace.

Wednesday, January 22nd - 7 miles (1 up, 4 x (2x200, 1x400), 1 mile, 1 down).  SLU track day on a windy and cold evening with Crystal, Craig, David, Heidi, and Coach Tim.  The track was in ok condition, but the wind had blown a few snow drifts on the track and their was some ice to deal with.  My foot had really been bothering me (I think possibly from Tuesday's run and running on uneven pavement with the snow/ice), but could run once I got warmed up.  The purpose of the workout was for turnover, and a steady state mile was added to the end just for the work of having a tempoish mile after a workout and getting my body used to the feeling again.  Because of the track conditions and lack of fitness for me, aimed for 5K pace for the reps (~6:00 min/mile pace).  Everything went pretty smoothly and although the effort felt more than it should have, I felt completely in control.  Craig jumped in the last set with me, and we made it just fine.  The steady state mile goal was 6:30-6:45, but lost control on the first quarter (1:31) and did my best to even it out.  Very pleased overall.  Splits were: (41, 44, 1:28), (43, 44, 1:29), (43, 44, 1:28), (44, 44, 1:28), 6:24.

The temps have gotten worse today, as it was -11 windchill in the morning.  My foot is still sore and bruised and considering the conditions, a rest day may not be a bad thing.