Mutiny in SLG???
Ok, all this not running on my part has given me a lot of time to think and some disturbing thoughts have popped up in my head. So it was time to call FFS (Founding Father Stefan), put on the running shoes and have a hastily callled board meeting while running a loop around the park, at the blistering pace of 9:40 minute/mile. All that thinking and discussing slowed us down I guess.
A few months ago, Erik started egging us on about registering for the New Jersey half. The reigning King in the marathon distance immediately responded, registered for the half and booked his hotel. In all fairness to Erik, in a comment to the last posting on the blog, (dated January 28th) he offhandedly hinted to turning the half into a full marathon. OK, I could live with that and admired him for being so dedicated. Then, last Tuesday, February 13th, Schaillee comes to town and cheerily announces that he was also planning to run a spring marathon. More that that, he was planning to run the inaugural marathon planned for April 29th in Eugene, Oregon. According to him, Eugene is the "birthplace of all things athletic". When he heard that SLG was already committed to be in New Jersey that weekend, he quickly reconsidered and decided to join Erik in running the full.
While mulling this over with Stefan, who at first thought that this spring marathon planned by Erik and Philippe was just posturing and intimidation, we pretty quickly reached the conclusion that this goes ways beyond posturing, this act smells of mutiny in SLG!!!!
Let me clarify. I think for the sake of team spirit, it should be each members' responsibility to give everybody fair warning as far as planning and training for a full marathon. I do not want to go so far as to demand that everybody should hand in their race schedule in the beginning of a new season, but to keep the competion fair, when so much is at stake, when there are so many contenders for the CMIYC-trophy, I think full disclosure about marathon planning should be a given!
It is obvious that FFS agrees with me and he promised me to contact FFM (Founding Father Mark) ASAP. An official ruling by these two prominent SLG'ers should follow in the next few days. The Coach.
posted by Lief at 9:09 AM
9 Comments:
I just read the ‘Mutiny’ blog-posting and was shocked to read that Erik and I were the reasons for this pamflet and the resulting special board meeting. Last year when energy was running low for the Chicago meeting, it was called ‘inspiration’, now it is called ‘mutiny’!???
After detailed review of the SLG statutes, I could not find anything describing the full disclosure rule and therefore do not expect any challenges in the – unlikely – event that the CMIYC trophy would change hands after the NJ Marathon. I am obviously awaiting the final formal ruling from the FFS, hoping that my winter training in Chicago’s bitter cold will not have been in vain.
To ensure full disclosure regarding the upcoming events, I am giving you an early heads-up regarding my 18 months marathon schedule:
- 4/29/2007: New Jersey
- 11/4/2007: New York (I got confirmation last week that I’ll have a number)
- 6/23/2008: Anchorage, Alaska
Longer term, I would hope to run Berlin, London, Rome, Twin Oceans (South Africa) and Arctic (Greenland) with my fellow SLG’ers.
10:07 AM
I think I am going "classic" & convenient this year and will focus on the NY Marathon. I have to agree with Grant though that the experience of exploring a new city on foot was fantastic in Chicago. I was playing with the idea of the Twin City Marathon but I think it will be too much for me and everything else we are planning this year. As for the post .... it does appear that there is a serious loop-hole in the club regulations. Although the "inspiration" and flawless execution of last yeas memorable events (Chicago and NJ 1/2M) that Philippe and Erik spearheaded will find favorable consideration in the final ruling. I am going to address this with FF Mark so we re-establish order and regulation clarity as soon as possible.
As for my personal aspirations I am content with only one Marathon per year and I hope that this doesn't raise any eyebrows in an increasingly competetive running club. I am certainly up for Berlin in the future..... I like to tell the story how I provided the legendary shower service at the finish line. I always made sure that I was in charge for the appropriate shower tent.
Cheers
Stefan
2:37 PM
enough running already. let's all just go on a European bike tour.
6:41 AM
I found the web site for the Hamptons marathon, www.hamptonsmarathon.com/ it also has a half marathon if some don't want to run the full. I think it is still enough time in between to do this and New York. It is still probably early enough to try to rent a house out there for the week, that might be alot of fun.
6:10 PM
I vote for the international marathon option – Berlin. My first marathon was in Zurich – and although I couldn’t understand a word of what the announcer was saying to get us motivated – it was still an amazing amazing experience. Kind of like the idea of getting to know a new city on foot.
6:11 PM
To obey the Founding Mother, here's my schedule for 2007:
- april 1th: Connemarra Marathon: running between sheeps in Ireland
-june 17th Mittelrheinmarathon: 42 km along the river Rhein in Germany
-july 8th: Golden Spurs Marathon from Kortrijk to Bruges: 10th time in that race
-october 14th: Brussels, famous for the winner who lost his way in Brussels and crossed the finish line in the wrong direction
-november 4th: New York, for the 5th time: if I can get a bed in 76th street
Some comments about the races, proposed by FML:
-Top of Utah, I ran that one indeed, and as the winner in my age categorie I got 50 $ and a Moose trophee: nice race, but nothing to see or to do in Logan and almost no spectators, in the first part realy ZERO specators
-Berlin: I ran three times, two of them were sub 3 hour-races. Realy the best one in Europe, comparable to New York for athmosphere, but better for the great organisation (warm showers for 40.000 runners!) and f&f (flat and fast)
-New York: I agree with my cousine: this in the ONE
Nex year (2008), my local running club, (the largest marathon team in Belgium!) will organise a trip to Berlin once again, as they did in 1998 and 2003. Maybe it would be easy to use their logistic skills, and join for a short wile the Belgian Vabco-team. I am sure they would be proud to have SLG with them.
I would like to go once to South Africa for the Two Oceans, maybe to meet Philippe there.
6:14 PM
Being declared Super Fan and proud owner of an SLG t-shirt, I feel emboldened to tender my preference: Berlin!
6:15 PM
Whew – a slew of options …
Some idea’s
Berlin would allow for us to go after the Grand (5)- Slam. We’ve done NY and Chicago. Just 3 more left.
What happened to the Anchora one in Alaska? I don’t see that listed. Just kidding.
I would opt for either the Twin City marathon or the one in NYC. (I will have to find a way to bribe someone to get into NY though). And, if that doesn’t work, I will volunteer to be a flag-carrying fan for all the SLG-participants in the NYC one.
East Hamptons? Not sure if I feel much for running with people who spend a ½ hr in their powder room before putting on their shoes. It would, however, allow us to finish within the Top 100. This on its own is also nice for conversations with our grandchildren. Haha.
The Marine corp may be an alternative, as well as the one in Philly, which would give me the Tri-state Marathon Trophy. But that is more of a person “wanne-have” trophee ;-)
Rgds and happy running.
Erik
PS: temperatures went up. It will be less enjoyable out there.
6:17 PM
Grant and Tom, thanks for your support...and see you in Berlin (???)
6:26 PM
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